Featuring a team playing for an interim head coach and one of the more unique personalities in college football, the Liberty Bowl will be a game that will get attention with the bookies and sportsbook. With Mississippi State coming off of a roller coaster season and Texas Tech carrying on its regular season after firing Matt Wells mid-season, there are still many facets that will make this one of the more intriguing games before the new year. One of the facets that will bring college football fans to their TVs is something that everyone loves — offense.

How We Got Here:

Many fans were not excited during the season that Mike Leach’s Mississippi State Bulldogs held onto a ranking spot for as long as they did, but it is important to look at the optics of the season. They defeated the likes of No. 15 Texas A&M in Kyle Field, topped NC State in the second week of the season, defeated No. 12 Kentucky, and got screwed against Memphis for their first loss of the season when the refs didn’t down the ball when the Bulldogs appeared to have downed the ball on a punt. Four of five Mississippi State’s losses were by 10 points or fewer, and three of them were within a field goal (Memphis, LSU, Arkansas). Don’t let the 7-5 record give you the final conclusion of your thoughts on this team. It is still a very potent passing offense led by Will Rogers, who will look to light it up even further in Memphis against the Red Raiders. 

Opening the season with a massive comeback win against Houston at NRG Stadium, Texas Tech has had a chaotic season since then to say the least but has survived to reach a bowl game. With a preseason Vegas win total of 4.5, the Red Raiders have since eclipsed that number with six wins on the season. Firing Matt Wells after a 5-3 start, there were many scratching their heads as to why this termination was made. A 1-3 record since, the Red Raiders have made a bowl game by the skin of their teeth and that is almost meant literally. If it wasn’t for a last-second 62-yard field goal vs. Iowa State, I would be talking about a completely different situation right now. Interim head coach and future Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie has had a lot on his plate since he’s been given control of this team. 

Players to Watch:

Mississippi State:

QB Will Rogers — Will Rogers has been one of the most consistent passers in college football this season, averaging 370.8 passing yards per game and 35 passing TDs on the season. It honestly feels disrespectful that he isn’t getting the talk that he deserves. If the Bulldogs would’ve closed out those one-possession games, he would join the other SEC West quarterbacks getting Heisman talk. Not having thrown less than 300 yards in a game since Week 2 against NC State’s gritty defense on Sept. 11 (and it was still 294 yards), I expect Rogers to light it up against the worst pass defense in the Big 12.

WR Makai Polk – The transfer from California has made his mark in Mike Leach’s offense and has become Rogers’ favorite target in his first season with the Bulldogs, closing in on 1,000 yards and scoring nine touchdowns on the season. I expect Makai Polk to run through Texas Tech’s secondary with ease.

Texas Tech:

QB Donovan Smith – With what has been a revolving door of a quarterback room for Texas Tech, it will be redshirt freshman Donovan Smith under center in the Liberty Bowl with Tyler Shough still out with a collarbone injury that he sustained in September. In his first season playing for the team, Smith has found success from an individual standpoint as the Red Raiders quarterback. Reaching 322 yards and three TDs against Iowa State and 262 yards plus a pair of TD passes against the eventual Big 12 champion Baylor, Smith has shown that he can play at this level and will be given a great opportunity facing the SEC’s ninth-ranked pass defense. 

WR Kaylon Geiger – With the Red Raiders’ leading receiver Erik Ezukanma off to the NFL draft and opting out of the game, it’s next man up for the Texas Tech receiving corps. Troy transfer Kaylon Geiger has already played at a high level this season, recording 121 yards against Florida International and 100 yards against Texas. Geiger has proven that he can be the guy when called upon. I expect him to be the leading receiver for his team and help Donovan Smith find the weaknesses in Mississippi State’s secondary to move the chains and put up points.

Score Prediction:

Mississippi State 41, Texas Tech 24

Hit the over of 58.5 and Mississippi State -9.5. I believe Donovan Smith will extend and make plays, but this Bulldogs offense is so electric that it feels impossible to bet against Will Rogers against a porous Texas Tech defense. Red Raiders interim head coach Sonny Cumbie is off to Louisiana Tech after this game, and Mike Leach’s experience is what solidifies my prediction for this game. The team with the permanent quarterback and head coach will prevail and light up the scoreboard while doing so.