Overview
- Kickoff is 8 p.m. ET on ESPN from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Oddsmakers list Mississippi State as roughly a 3-point favorite with the total around 52–53 points.
- Freshman Kamario Taylor starts at quarterback for Mississippi State with Blake Shapen out preparing for the NFL Draft, following Taylor’s 351 total-yard Egg Bowl debut.
- Wake Forest will be without key contributors Demond Claiborne, Chris Barnes, Micah Mays Jr. and Mateen Ibirogba, with Ty Clark III expected to handle the primary rushing role.
- Mississippi State’s defensive play-caller remains unnamed after DC Coleman Hutzler was fired and replacement Zach Arnett opted not to coach the bowl.