Georgia Bulldogs vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 11/12/2022

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Venue: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS

Where to watch: ESPN

DraftKings: Georgia -16

FanDuel: Georgia -16.5

BetMGM: Georgia -16.5

Caesars: Georgia -16

No. 1 Georgia: 9-0 (6-0 SEC)

Mississippi State: 6-3 (3-3 SEC)

Georgia: won 27-13 vs. No. 3 Tennessee

Mississippi State: won 39-33 (OT) vs. Auburn

The stars are aligning for the Georgia Bulldogs to get back to the SEC title game and eventually the national title game. Three games left, all against much inferior opponents in which their defense can dictate the game, and it starts on Saturday against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who may have some sort of upset eyed at home, but it doesn’t seem likely.

Georgia had only one hurdle standing in its way before making a B-line back to the conference title game, and it cleared with flying colors in the 27-13 win over the Tennessee Volunteers last week. Not only did the Bulldogs’ defense hold Heisman Trophy favorite Hendon Hooker to 195 yards on 23 of 33, but their own quarterback did some damage.

Stetson Bennett threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns, and Ladd McConkey caught five passes for 94 yards and one of those scores in what was a statement-making win for the defending national champs, who seem primed to getting back there.

''He's a winner. Let's be honest. The guy knows how to win,” coach Kirby Smart said of his quarterback.

And that’s very true. I think we look too far into Bennett in what he can do numbers-wise to throw the football, but the fact is the last two years have shown he can absolutely win when it counts. He’s a championship-winning quarterback, and it shows. He even said it himself that he doesn’t look at quarterback vs. quarterback. Of course Hooker was the guy to look at as the potential media darling this week. But he once again outperformed his competition.

And he’ll get a chance to do that again with the Bulldogs, in Starksville, facing Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers who has thrown for nearly 3,000 yards, 26 touchdowns to only five interceptions this year. But of course, Rogers, hasn’t played a defense like this. Mississippi State is coming off a 39-33 overtime win at home against Auburn last week to snap a two-game losing streak against Kentucky and Alabama.

Rogers threw for 357 yards and three touchdowns on 42 of 59 passing, and Rara Thomas caught two of those touchdowns – along with 84 yards on 6 receptions – to get the victory. That says a lot.

"It was good at the end and good at the beginning. The defense, I thought, kept us in it," Mike Leach said. "Wins are hard no matter who you are and sometimes there are games like that. The toughest teams stick through it, battles and wins."

Defense keeping a Mike Leach-coached team in a game? I’m not sure if we’re in the Upside Down yet or not, but I’ll tell you it’s something.

I have no doubt the Mississippi State defense can keep them in it for a little bit. It’s going to come down to Rogers and how well he can play against this Georgia defense that has not been cracked for two years. The home crowd will do its best, but this should be another walk-in-the-park victory against a team Georgia should beat. Georgia by 21

Georgia is 7-1 ATS as a favorite between 10.5 and 21 the last three years.

Georgia is 29-9 ATS on the road when the total is between 49.5 and 56 the last three years.

Georgia is 5-1 ATS the last three years after giving up 125 rushing yards or less in five straight games.

Mississippi State is 3-10 ATS since 1992 as a home underdog between 14.5 and 21.

Passing: Stetson Bennett -- 2,606 yards, 11 TD, 3 INT

Rushing: Daijun Edwards -- 486 yards, 7 TD

Receiving: Brock Bowers -- 574 yards, 3 TD

Defense:

Passing: Will Rogers -- 2,912 yards, 26 TD, 5 INT

Rushing: Dillon Johnson -- 406 yards, 3 TD

Receiving: Rara Thomas -- 540 yards, 5 TD