Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Texas Tech Red Raiders 2021 Liberty Bowl
On December 28, we have our Mississippi State vs Texas Tech prediction for the 2021 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. This is the third of five games being played on that Tuesday during the busiest week of bowl season.
This year, the Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-5), who finished with a SEC record of 4-4, tied for third in the West. Over their last five games, they went 3-2. The Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-6) were 3-6 in the Big 12. That record put them in a three-way tie with Texas and TCU for seventh in the conference. In their final four games of the season, the Red Raiders won one and lost four.
Liberty Bowl Spread and Totals Odds
Texas Tech is the underdog at +10.0 (-110), while favored Mississippi State is -8.5 (-110). The total is at 59.5 with the over being -105 and under -115. The 2021 AutoZone Liberty Bowl will be played at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, TN with kickoff at 6:45 pm ET. The weather forecast is for mostly cloudy with temperatures in the low 70s. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Bulldogs vs Red Raiders Pick - Stats
On offense, Mississippi State averaged 30.9 PPG, while Texas tech put up 30.0 PPG. Of their 449.6 offensive yards per game, 385.7 were accumulated in the air. The Red Raiders bring a more balanced attack, averaging 257.7 air yards and 150.7 ground yards. In creating our Mississippi State vs Texas Tech prediction, we note that on defense the Bulldogs allowed 25.3 PPG and 331.3 YPG. On the other hand, Texas Tech gave up 32.1 PPG and 410.8 YPG.
Mississippi State vs Texas Tech Prediction - Key Players
For Mississippi State, quarterback Will Rogers, who this season passed for 4,449 yards and completed 75.1 percent of his passes, is a massive talent. This season, Rogers threw 35 TD passes and just eight picks. He was sacked 30 times. Five receivers come to this game with three or more TD catches. Wideout Makai Polk topped the team with 98 catches, 989 yards, and nine scores. Dillon Johnson and Jo'quavious Marks are a solid rushing tandem. Johnson has rushed for 423 yards, averaging 5.3 YPA and scoring four times. Marks, who’s averaging 3.9 YPA, has run for 397 yards and six TDs. Top performers on D include linebackers Tyrus Wheat (6 SCKs, 2 PD, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR) and Nathaniel Watson (77 TCKLs, 4 SCKs, 1 PD) and corner Corner Emmanuel Forbes (1 SCK, 5 PD, 3 INTs). LB Jett Johnson leads the team with 84 tackles. He also has 2 passes defended, 1 pick, 1 FF, and 2 FR.
The Red Raiders have three signal callers who each passed for over 850 yards or more this season. Look for Donovan Smith, who started the season, was out with injury, and came back near the end of the season, to start. Smith completed 63.1 percent of his passes, tossing six TD passes and two picks. Wideout Erik Ezukanma is the team’s top pass catcher. He has 48 receptions for 705 yards and four scores. Tight end Travis Koontz had turned four of his 19 receptions into scores. Running backs Tahj Brooks and SaRodorick Thompson have combined for 881 yards and 15 TDs. On defense, DB Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (7 PD, 3 INTs), LB Colin Schooler (98 TCKLs, 5 PD, 3 FF), and DL Jaylon Hutchings (3.5 SCKs) are the unit’s anchors.
Mississippi State vs Texas Tech Prediction
Our Mississippi State vs Texas Tech prediction finds that the Bulldogs come to this game with both a solid offense and defense. The Red Raiders can score, but their defense has been inconsistent. We’re going with Mississippi State at -8.5 (-110). In terms of points scored, we anticipate the Bulldogs scoring 38 points and the Red Raiders putting up 24. That gets us to 62 points, which makes over 59.5 (-105) appealing.
Sports Betting Smarts is previewing and predicting every one of this season’s 41 college football bowl games. In the first week, we went 12-4 with an 8-2 mark on Saturday.
2021 Liberty Bowl - Mississippi State vs Texas Tech Summary
Spread - Mississippi State -8.5 (-110)
Over/Under - Over 59.5 (-105)
