CFB odds: What a difference a day makes. The Mississippi State Bulldogs entered their 2013 regular season finale against the Ole Miss Rebels with a record of 5-6 and facing a must win scenario to gain a bowl berth and prevent the strong possibility of head coach Dan Mullen being fired. QB Dak Prescott became a hero as he triggered a late rally and 17-10 overtime win which was followed by a 44-7 Liberty Bowl win over the Rice Owls which has completely flipped the script as to how Bulldog fans feel about last year and the prospects for the 2014 season. With a total of 16 starters and 57 lettermen returning and just 12 lettermen having departed expectations are high in Starkville, MS for a big season. The Bulldogs opened as a +13000 choice to win the BCCS national championship. Mississippi State opened with an over under win total of 7.5 at +105 over and -125 under.
MSU Was Mullen a Change
After a 9-4 season in 2010 that ended with a 52-14 blowout win over the Michigan Wolverines in the Gator Bowl head coach Dan Mullen was being celebrated as one of the top up and coming leaders in all of college football. The Bulldogs have indeed gone to four consecutive bowl games but that 2010 season may have set expectations too high as they have not yet proven capable of beating the top programs of the Southeastern Conference and have gotten by on beating teams that they are supposed to beat but nothing more.
Handicapper’s Notebook
The Bulldogs were 8-5 against the spread last year which snapped a two year losing streak at the betting window. The Bulldogs have gone 12-6 ATS as a home favorite but have gone just 3-8 ATS as a road dog.
Our Prognosis
Prescott is a junior QB that may be among the best in the SEC as his leadership and clutch play impressed fans and gamblers. The Bulldogs will field one of the deepest and most experienced teams in the league and yet could remain a decent board value based in part because they are in the SEC West Division with name brand superpowers LSU, Alabama, and Auburn not to mention Ole Miss, who is also expecting a big season.
