Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest: Breaking Down the Duke's Mayo Bowl Matchup
Mississippi State heads into the Duke’s Mayo Bowl with a shot at rewriting the narrative of a turbulent season. At 5-7, the Bulldogs needed some help - and they got it when Kansas State and Iowa State opted out of bowl season, opening the door for MSU to extend its campaign with a postseason appearance.
Now, they’ll face off against an 8-4 Wake Forest team in Charlotte on Jan. 2 (7 p.m. CT, ESPN), with both programs looking to cap their seasons on a high note.
It’s Mississippi State’s first bowl appearance since 2022, and while the path here wasn’t conventional, the opportunity is real - especially with a fresh face under center and a Wake Forest squad dealing with key losses.
Quarterback Matchup: Experience vs. Potential
One of the most intriguing storylines in this game is the quarterback duel between Wake Forest’s Robby Ashford and Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor.
Ashford brings the experience - and then some. He’s in his sixth season of college football and has seen it all, with stops at Oregon, Auburn, South Carolina, and now Wake Forest.
This year, he’s thrown for 2,169 yards with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions, while adding 504 yards and seven scores on the ground. He’s a true dual threat who’s tough to pin down, having been sacked just 12 times all season.
That speaks to both his elusiveness and his ability to extend plays.
MSU head coach Jeff Lebby knows exactly what kind of challenge Ashford presents.
“When you don’t do a great job against him in the pocket, he makes you pay,” Lebby said. “We’ve got to be able to get him on the ground. We’ve got to have great rush integrity with our lanes and make sure we bottle him up.”
On the other side, Taylor is stepping into the spotlight. The freshman made his first career start in the Egg Bowl against Ole Miss, and now he’s being handed the keys again - this time on a bowl stage.
He’s raw, but the talent is there. Taylor brings athleticism, a live arm, and a chance to give Mississippi State fans a glimpse of the future.
It’s a classic contrast: a battle-tested veteran trying to finish strong versus a young quarterback looking to make his mark.
Defensive Questions for Mississippi State
Mississippi State’s defense has been a rollercoaster this season - and now, they’re heading into this bowl game without a clear defensive play-caller.
After firing defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler at the end of the regular season, the Bulldogs named former head coach Zach Arnett as his replacement. But Arnett won’t coach in the bowl game, and the program hasn’t announced who will call the defensive plays.
That uncertainty looms large, especially for a defense that started the season strong but faded down the stretch. MSU has allowed 29.2 points per game, the second-most in the SEC, and the run defense has been a particular sore spot, giving up 189.5 yards per game - dead last in the conference.
Wake Forest’s offense, even with some key absences, will look to exploit those holes. But whether Mississippi State’s defense can rally around some internal leadership or a simplified game plan could be the X-factor.
Wake Forest’s Offensive Weapons: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
Wake Forest isn’t coming into this game at full strength. The Demon Deacons are expected to be without several key offensive contributors, including All-ACC second team running back Demond Claiborne, who declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. He was a major part of their ground game and a consistent chain-mover.
Top wide receiver and kick returner Chris Barnes is also out after entering the transfer portal, and fellow receiver Micah Mays Jr. - who ranked fourth on the team with 302 receiving yards - is also transferring.
That’s a lot of production off the field for a team that relies on balance and tempo. The pressure now shifts to Ashford and the remaining supporting cast to find answers against a Mississippi State defense that, while vulnerable, still has the personnel to make plays.
Wake Forest Defense: A Steady Force
While the offense is dealing with opt-outs, Wake Forest’s defense has been a steady presence all season. The unit allows just 21.5 points per game - good for sixth in the ACC - and is anchored by All-ACC first team safety Nick Anderson, a tone-setter in the secondary with a knack for reading quarterbacks and closing down space.
Anderson will be a key figure in trying to confuse and contain Kamario Taylor, especially if the Bulldogs lean on the freshman’s legs and try to stretch the field vertically.
Final Thoughts
This game has all the ingredients for a compelling bowl showdown: a young quarterback trying to prove himself, a veteran looking to finish strong, and two teams with plenty to play for despite the opt-outs and coaching changes.
Mississippi State may have stumbled into the postseason, but they’ve got a golden opportunity to end the year on a high note. If Taylor can settle in early and the defense can generate just enough pressure on Ashford, the Bulldogs could walk away with a win - and a little momentum heading into 2026.