EA Sports College Football 25 predicts the Egg Bowl
One final time for 2024, we've asked EA Sports College Football 25 to predict the outcome of a Mississippi State football game. We end like the Bulldogs always end the regular season - in the Egg Bowl.
EA Sports College Football 25 predicts Ole Miss pulling away late in a competitive Egg Bowl
In this version of the Battle for the Golden Egg, EA predicts Ole Miss to win 38-23 with a late touchdown from a Jaxson Dart run to put the game on ice. Ole Miss got the scoring started with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Dart to Juice Wells. Ole Miss extended their lead with a 38-yard field goal from Caden Davis. State got on the scoreboard when Davon Booth ran it in from five yards out with 11:59 remaining in the second quarter. The first half ended with Kyle Ferrie knocking through a 31-yard field goal to tie the game 10-10.
Ole Miss scored the opening points in the second half with Dart completing a 40-yard touchdown pass to Caden Prieskorn to give them a seven-point lead. State tied the game with five minutes remaining in the third when Michael Van Buren connected with Kevin Coleman for a 62-yard touchdown pass. With two minutes left in the third, Jaxson Dart threw his third touchdown pass of the day when Jordan Watkins caught a 14-yard touchdown pass. At the end of the third quarter, Ole Miss led 24-17.
Early in the fourth quarter, State cut the lead to four when Ferrie made his second field goal of the day from 37 yards out. On the ensuing kickoff, Ole Miss took the return back to State's own 45-yard line. Two plays later, Watkins caught his second touchdown of the game from 23 yards out. State so far had no answer for Dart's passing game in the simulation. State managed to drive deep into Ole Miss territory with less than five minutes left but the drive stalled out. Ferrie made his third field goal of the game. This time it was a 34-yard field goal which cut the deficit to eight.
However, Ole Miss continued to have their way with State's defense. The Rebels drove down the field, and Dart ran it in for a 9-yard rushing touchdown with 90 seconds left to play. State was unable to do anything after that, and Ole Miss came away with the victory.
Strong performances for Kevin Coleman and Davon Booth, Jaxson Dart goes off in simulated Egg Bowl
Michael Van Buren had a pedestrian day in the sim, completing 12 passes on 19 attempts for 187 yards with one touchdown. Kevin Coleman was the only receiver to find success as he had five catches for 120 yards and one touchdown. Lastly, Davon Booth ran the ball 15 times for 96 yards and one touchdown. Just like in real life, the Ole Miss defense was able to contain the opposing team's offense. Van Buren was the only other State player to have success rushing the football. He rushed the ball for 38 yards on eight attempts.
Jaxson Dart was 20/25 for 301 yards and four touchdowns. Caden Prieskorn caught four passes for 62 yards and one touchdown. Juice Wells had three receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown. Jordan Watkins was the difference for Ole Miss in the receiving game has he had seven receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
Ole Miss was able to get after the quarterback has they sacked Van Buren five times with Walter Nolen leading the way with two sacks. They were also able to record seven tackles for a loss. On the defensive side for State, De'monte Russell was the only State player to record a sack. Stone Blanton had nine total tackles with one tackle for a loss, and Brylan Lanier had the only other tackle for a loss by a State player.