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Upset Alert? Mississippi State Eyes Bowl Win Over Wake Forest
3 Jan
Summary
- Mississippi State faces Wake Forest in the 2026 Duke's Mayo Bowl despite a 5-7 season.
- Wake Forest lost their rival game to Duke 49-32 at the end of the season.
- Mississippi State's transfer portal departures are not starters, unlike Wake Forest's.
Mississippi State is set to compete in the 2026 Duke's Mayo Bowl against Wake Forest, a game they are considered fortunate to have reached given their 5-7 season record. The Bulldogs face a Wake Forest team that finished with a more impressive 8-4 record but ended their season with a significant 49-32 defeat to rival Duke.
Wake Forest, coached by first-year head coach Jake Dickert, may see the game as a home advantage. However, Dickert has confirmed that players entering the transfer portal, including key names like Mateen Idirogba, will not participate. This decision impacts the Demon Deacons' roster significantly heading into the bowl game.
Conversely, Mississippi State does not face the same issue, as none of their departing players are considered starters. This could provide second-year coach Jeff Lebby an opportunity to secure a victory and extend the Bulldogs' undefeated streak against Wake Forest from their only prior meeting in the 2012 Music City Bowl.
