Football Power Index is predicts a victory for LSU, but by a slim margin, with a 56.6 percent chance to defeat Mississippi State at home.
By contrast, the Bulldogs have a 43.4 percent shot at upsetting the Tigers. A close game is expected between two teams still searching for their respective identities.
The oddsmakers are siding with the visitors, as Mississippi State comes into the game as a slight 2.5-point favorite, according to the opening line set by SI Sportsbook, which set an over/under of 53.5 points for the game.
According to the prediction computers, LSU fared very well in the latest FPI 131 college football rankings, coming in at No. 12 overall nationally.
That’s good for 5th in the SEC, with the index projecting LSU will win 7.1 games this season and estimates it will be 14.9 points on average better than the teams on its schedule.
Mississippi State jumped LSU on the index after last week, moving up 4 spots to the No. 9 position nationally, and is projected to win 8.1 games this year.
AP top 25 voters declined to add LSU or Mississippi State in the latest polls, although the Bulldogs received 43 votes overall. LSU did not receive any votes in the new rankings.
