Predictions for Mississippi State and the biggest college football games of Week 4

We're on to Week 4 of the 2024 college football season. Here at Maroon and White Nation, our team has been making picks for the biggest games each week and giving our predictions for the Bulldogs.

Through three weeks of the season, here are our records predicting games...

Chase Brumfield: 21-9

Reed Green: 17-13

Andrew Miller: 20-10

Let's make our picks for Week 4!

National Games

There are several really intriguing games around the country this week.

24 Illinois at 22 Nebraska

Chase: This game will go down to the wire, but Dylan Raiola’s ability to extend plays will edge the Cornhuskers to victory. Nebraska wins

Reed: Matt Rhule came in to rebuild this once proud program, and he led the Huskers to their first signature win a few weeks ago versus Colorado. The team is rolling, and I think they take care of business versus the Illini. Nebraska wins

Andrew: Both of these programs are off to great starts to the season, but I trust the Huskers a little bit more. With the game in Lincoln, I'll go with Big Red. Nebraska wins

NC State at Clemson

Chase: Grayson McCall will be out due to an injury, giving Clemson a huge edge for this game. Dabo Swinney is on the hot seat, so if he wants to continue coaching for the Tigers, then it is imperative to win. Clemson wins

Reed: Clemson struggled in their first game versus Georgia, but they have rebounded. Meanwhile NC State struggled versus Western Carolina before getting blown out by Tennessee. I think the talent gap is still too big for the Wolfpack to overcome. Clemson wins

Andrew: NC State has been ugly so far this season, and they'll be starting a backup QB on the road vs a very talented Clemson defense. The Tigers aren't as bad as many believe. Clemson wins

11 USC at 18 Michigan

Chase: Michigan has struggled immensely this season, especially with their 1-2 punch of Davis Warren and Alex Orji. USC is a smart football team with Lincoln RIley as their head coach. This game will be a masterclass by the Trojans. USC wins

Reed: USC has been surprising this year after losing Caleb Williams, and Michigan has looked like a shell of its former self. USC is better coached with more experience, and I think that is the difference here. USC wins

Andrew: USC's run defense is about to be put to a major test with Alex Orji getting the start at QB for Michigan. But even with that in mind, I have my doubts about Michigan's own defense slowing Miller Moss and former Bulldog Woody Marks enough to get the win. USC wins

Arizona State at Texas Tech

Chase: Arizona State’s running game is the hottest in college football right now. Texas Tech’s run defense is awful, so it will be a long day for the Raiders. Arizona State wins

Reed: Arizona State was brought back to life some after barely beating Texas State. I think they struggle on the road, and the home crowd leads the Red Raiders to victory. Texas Tech wins

Andrew: Texas Tech looked a lot better last week, but that's probably got more to do with North Texas than it does the Red Raiders hitting their stride. I like what we've seen from the Sun Devils so far and expect Kenny Dillingham to get his alma mater to 4-0. Arizona State wins

12 Utah at 14 Oklahoma State

Chase: Mike Gundy continues to prove his critics wrong, as the Cowboys are 3-0 this season. High scoring has been the name of the game, so it will be a long day for the Utes. Oklahoma State wins

Reed: Ollie Gordon has not been as productive this season as many people thought, and Utah has been the model of consistency under Kyle Whittingham. This will be a close fought game, and I think the Utes pull off the win in this crucial game. Utah wins

Andrew: Is Cam Rising going to play for the Utes? It's sounding like his is, but even if he does, I like the Pokes here. Boone Pickens is a house of horrors, and Oklahoma State will give Utah a proper taste of life in the Big 12. Oklahoma State wins

SEC Games

This week's SEC slate isn't the strongest, but we do have one huge matchup Saturday night.

Arkansas at Auburn

Chase: Sam Pittman has found some magic with Taylen Green's impressive level of play. Auburn is in a weird situation, and if they do not figure it out, their hopes at an improved year will end sooner than expected. Arkansas wins

Reed: In what might be one of the more entertaining games of the week, I think Auburn wins at home. Petrino has proven so far that he has helped Arkansas’ offense, and if this were a neutral site game, I would take the Razorbacks. However, Jordan-Hare is an extremely difficult place to play, and I think the home crowd nudges Auburn to victory. Auburn wins

Andrew: Neither of these teams seem great. I'm going strictly off of vibes, and oddly, the vibes seem slightly better with the Hogs. Arkansas wins

UCLA at 16 LSU

Chase: Before Brian Kelly took the head coaching position at LSU, Brian handled business against Pac-12 teams. UCLA is still essentially a Pac-12 team, so I see that continuing as he leads the Tigers this weekend in Death Valley. LSU wins

Reed: UCLA has look putrid this season which includes a 42-13 beat down at home to Indiana. I see no shot of them going into Tiger Stadium and be even remotely competitive. LSU wins

Andrew: UCLA is bad. Real bad. LSU rolls. LSU wins

Vanderbilt at 7 Missouri

Chase: Their early games have been challenging, sharpening their focus on the importance of must-win matchups like this one. Missouri will keep their momentum going as they pursue a spot in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta. Missouri wins

Reed: Vanderbilt was brought back to Earth after losing on the road to Georgia State last week. Luther Burden finally showed up this season against Boston College, and I have Missouri winning this game easily due to the talent gap between the two. Missouri wins

Andrew: Vandy looked fun for a few weeks, but then they reverted back to being Vandy. Mizzou is simply much better. Missouri wins

6 Tennessee at 15 Oklahoma

Chase: Nico Iamaleava has demonstrated superstar potential this season, though Oklahoma's defensive style could challenge the young quarterback. However, Nico will push through and lead the Vols to victory. Tennessee wins

Reed: Even though they were playing against way lesser competition, Tennessee’s offense has looked elite through three games. Meanwhile, Oklahoma has looked pedestrian this season. They almost lost to Houston and Kevin Barbay’s offense. I think what Heupel has done with Tennessee’s offense is nothing short of spectacular. I think the Vols run away with this one. Tennessee wins

Andrew: Two good defenses and two offenses relying on a young but incredibly talented QB. Norman will be a great environment and Brent Venables will have a good gameplan for the Vols, but I don't think his own offense can keep pace. Tennessee wins

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Florida Gators predictions

Well, many consider this to be the most disgusting and disheartening game of the day. Two bad teams battling it out to see who isn't worst in the SEC. One on the brink of firing its coach, the other going through a massive rebuild. How do we see Saturday going for Bulldog football?

Chase: I have Mississippi State winning this game. A disappointing loss last week will fuel the Bulldogs to let out some frustration against the Gators. The Gators are a loss away from Billy Napier’s hot seat turning into an inferno, so watch out. Mississippi State wins 27-13

Reed: Both teams have not looked impressive so far, and had State beaten Toledo, I think they would have won this fairly easily. However, we saw the holes the defense left for Toledo’s receivers, and I do not think that will improve within a week. Also, even with the poor coaching Florida has had, they are still talented, and I think that ends up being the difference as they score a touchdown late to put the game on ice. Mississippi State loses 30-17

Andrew: This should be a great chance for State to make an early statement under Jeff Lebby given the situation in Gainesville, but I have no confidence in the Bulldogs. Florida is bad, but they've got more talent than State. That'll be the difference. Mississippi State loses 31-24