Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
By Chris Marler
Someone is going to ring in the new year with a bucket full of Mayonnaise for celebration. And, this time it (probably) won’t be my Aunt Shirley.
We are one day away from the Mayo Dump! pic.twitter.com/9e0rvsLhbE
— Duke’s Mayo Bowl (@DukesMayoBowl) January 1, 2026
Mississippi State will win IF…
They can protect the quarterback and stay ahead of the chains.
The Bulldogs were a lot of fun on offense this year, and they have clearly turned a corner in year two under Jeff Lebby. Where they have struggled most as a team is on the offensive line. The Bulldogs were 14th in the SEC in sacks allowed this season with 40, and they were 16th in tackles for loss allowed with 89. They’ll need to keep their freshman QB in manageable down and distances if they want to win.
Wake Forest will win IF…
They can build a lead in the first half and not fall apart.
Wake Forest finished the season 8-4 in the ACC. They’re facing one of the best second half teams in the country in Mississippi State. The Bulldogs rank in the top 20 nationally in second half scoring offense, while Wake ranks 69th in second half scoring defense. They have been horrible at making halftime adjustments for most of the year, giving up over 6.1 ppg in the third quarter of games which ranks 88th in the country.
Mississippi State X-Factor – QB Kamario Taylor
Taylor was the backup quarterback for most of the season, but saw more action late in the year. He was good in mop up duty against Georgia, putting up 140 yards of offense in just 22 plays. He was outstanding against Ole Miss, going off for 351 yards with over 170 on the ground and through the air. Taylor is a gamebreaker type of athlete that can put a lot of strain on defenses. He is the future of the program at the QB position, and he should have a big day.
Kamario Taylor.
He’s special. Build around him. pic.twitter.com/xiiayYANZS
— Tru Maroon Nation (@TruMaroonNation) November 28, 2025
Wake Forest X-Factor – QB Robby Ashford
The former four star QB has made stops at Oregon, Auburn and South Carolina, but he has finally come into his own at Wake Forest. The Senior QB didn’t put up crazy numbers with the Demon Deacons, but he did finish the season very strong with back to back games with over 350 yards of offense. Ashford isn’t a great passer, but he’s one of, if not the best, athletes on the field every time he steps on the field. He should be a big factor with his legs against Mississippi State.
Longest completion in school history 🎩@robby_ashford ➡️ @_alwaysopen_19 pic.twitter.com/5V9PQQ2JKB
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) November 22, 2025
Score Prediction
Wake Forest had a top ten defense nationally in yards per play allowed this season and were in the top 40 scoring defenses in the country. Both of these teams are flawed, and the ACC hasn’t won in the history of this bowl game losing by an average of 13.8 ppg.
Why would we expect that to change now? Hail State.
Mississippi State 27, Wake Forest 23
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