Ranking the six easiest games on Mississippi State football's 2024 schedule

Mississippi State football faces a daunting schedule in 2024. Going into the year they have six games in which earning a win would mean pulling off a big upset. But there are winnable games on the schedule to give them a chance at earning bowl-eligibility. Here are the six easiest games on the schedule...

1. Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Eastern Kentucky Colonels

State gets to ease into the 2024 season with their FCS opponent. Eastern Kentucky has played a few competitive games with FBS teams in recent years, including providing a momentary scare against Kentucky last season. But it's still a FCS team coming off a losing season. State should roll.

2. Mississippi State Bulldogs vs UMass Minutemen

UMass might as well be a FCS team, and honestly there's a chance EKU is actually better. But the shades of 2016 and 2017 when State found themselves in struggles with the Minutemen has them as merely second-easiest. But this is a truly bad team that's a long ways away from competitiveness.

3. Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Toldeo Rockets

Jason Candle has done a great job at Toledo. The Rockets are a perennial MAC contender and can challenge power conference teams. But they just lost nearly everyone from last season's 11-win team, and a clear step back is likely in store. They'll still be solid, but assuming State doesn't overlook them, they should be fine.

4. Mississippi State Bulldogs at Arizona State Sun Devils

Kenny Dillingham inherited a mess at his alma mater, but even in last year's 3-9 campaign, he at least made them competitive. The Sun Devils are going to rely on several transfers to improve this season, and they could take a step forward. This game might be tricky on the road, but overall, State's still got quite a bit more talent.

5. Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Arkansas Razorbacks

I'd wager that last year's 7-3 final score in this game won't be replicated. Sam Pittman is relying (probably unwillingly) on a familiar face in Fayetteville to save his job. Bobby Petrino should get the Hogs scoring more, but that's not saying much. State has owned Arkansas since they originally fired Petrino. We'll see if his return changes the direction of the series, but the Bulldogs should have the edge at home.

6. Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Florida Gators

Billy Napier is the coach everyone assumes will be fired by the end of 2024 given the combination of poor early results and an almost unbelievable gauntlet of a schedule. But it's possible the Gators are actually ok this year. There's some nice pieces on offense, but their defense will have to make big improvements if Napier's going to survive. Both teams need this game badly for a positive season.