Minnesota-Mississippi State score predictions from Bring Me The Sports staff
· Yahoo Sports
The Gophers host Mississippi State this weekend in a marquee Big Ten-SEC nonconference showdown. It’s a key early-season matchup for both teams, and the oddsmakers expect a very close game between two 1-0 teams with talented young quarterbacks.
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Tony Liebert: Minnesota 35, Mississippi State 24
Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor is getting plenty of hype nationally, deservedly so, but Saturday will be his first collegiate start on the road. Drake Lindsey’s experience might be the edge that the Gophers need in a game between two very evenly matched teams. This is a true coin flip game, but I expect a solid Huntington Bank Stadium atmosphere to be the difference in a high-scoring affair.
Sep 5, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby talks with Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Zion Ragins (7) during the second quarter against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Joe Nelson: Minnesota 38, Mississippi State 23
Mississippi State’s hype train is about to derail. I’m extremely confident that a cupcake game against UL Monroe didn’t prepare the Bulldogs for the defensive firepower Minnesota is going to throw at them. Specifically, Mississippi State’s rebuilt offensive line (they replaced four starters with a bunch of guys who were rotational players at their previous schools) is going to learn what it’s like to get eaten alive by Anthony Smith, Karter Menz, Jaxon Howard, and T.J. Bush Jr. Defensively, the Bulldogs can talk all they want about being a new unit, but until they prove it against a quality offense, they’re still a team that got lit up by anyone and everyone last season
Will Ragatz: Mississippi State 27, Minnesota 23
I’d love to pick the Gophers in this game. They absolutely have the talent on both sides of the ball to win it, with Anthony Smith looming as a potential game-wrecker. I just can’t quite get there. Last year’s Cal loss and the blowouts against Ohio State, Iowa, and Oregon linger in my mind. Mississippi State has been an SEC bottom-feeder for the past few years but looks greatly improved this season with electric QB Kamario Taylor leading the way. I still have some questions about Drake Lindsey and the Gophers’ secondary that I need answered before I can pick them to beat a high-level team
Jonathan Harrison: Minnesota 30, Mississippi State 27
The focus has rightly been on Mississippi State’s dual-threat QB Kamario Taylor this week. Minnesota’s pass rush has the challenge of keeping him in the pocket, while the Gophers’ secondary will have to limit his ability to connect with his receivers. On the flip side, this is a big test for Drake Lindsey, who certainly lived up to preseason hype last week, but that was against an FCS team. Lindsey will likely be looking to keep Javon Tracy going after an incredible opening week. I think the Gophers narrowly edge this one and keep their undefeated home streak alive.
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Here are last week’s picks. Season records for our pickers:
- Joe: 1-0
- Will: 1-0
- Jonathan: 1-0
- Tony: 1-0
This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Sep 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Gophers section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.