Mississippi State football is playing arguably its most important game of the season on Saturday when Arkansas comes to Starkville for Week 8 of the college football season. Around the nation and in the SEC, there are several pivotal matchups with conference title implications. What's going to happen in those games?
All season long, the Maroon and White Nation team has been making our picks for the biggest games each week of the season and predicting how the Bulldogs will do. Here's our records after eight weeks of the college football season...
Chase Brumfield: 49-31
Reed Green: 47-33
Andrew Miller: 51-29
Let's make some picks!
National college football predictions for Week 9
On Thursday and Friday night we've got some really fun games across the country. Here's how we have them shaking out...
Syracuse at 19 Pittsburgh
Chase: Syracuse has a little left in the tank to pull off an upset this weekend. I expect Kyle McCord to take control of this game. Syracuse wins
Reed: Syracuse has played well under Kyle McCord, but Pitt has been a good, consistent team under the current staff. With that in mind, I think their talent and coaching pushes them to victory at home. Pitt wins
Andrew: No one thought this would be an important game before the season, but this is a big one for the ACC championship race. I'll take Pitt at home in a tight one. Pitt wins
17 Boise State at UNLV
Chase: Boise State is having a magical run this season as their lead running back is contending for the Heisman. This game will be a trap game with UNLV pulling the upset. UNLV wins
Reed: UNLV has been one of the surprise teams this season, but I think Boise wins a close one due to the play of Ashton Jeanty. Boise State wins
Andrew: It's the G5 game of the year with massive playoff implications. I expect a lot of points, but I trust the Boise defense to get more stops. Boise State wins
12 Notre Dame vs 24 Navy (MetLife Stadium)
Chase: Navy is the real deal this season. Their offense is scary to matchup with. Notre Dame will have a hard time stopping Navy’s complex offense and will struggle down the stretch of this game. Navy wins
Reed: Notre Dame is more talented, but there is almost no one playing as good as Navy. They are well-disciplined, and if Notre Dame makes mistakes, the Midshipman will capitalize on them. Navy wins
Andrew: Navy has been one of the best stories of the year, but the competition is being raised significantly. The Irish have plenty of experience dealing with the option, and I don't think they're going to lay down considering the NIU loss already on the resume. Notre Dame wins
3 Penn State at Wisconsin
Chase: Penn State knows how to handle hostile environments this season. James Franklin is doing a great job of preparing his team for big games. Wisconsin is barely keeping up so this game will be no different. Penn State wins
Reed: Penn State is playing well, but almost no one seems to talking about them. In previous years, Camp-Randall Stadium has been a house of horrors for highly ranked teams. However, I do not think the Badgers have the horses to pull off the upset this time. Penn State wins
Andrew: Wisconsin is playing better football as of late, and this could be a lookahead spot for Penn State with the Buckeyes looming. But I still have to take the clearly superior team. Penn State wins