Orange Bowl 2014: Mississippi State vs Georgia Tech Odds, Over/Under, Pick, More

Both Mississippi State and Georgia Tech saw their seasons end in tragic fashion.

The Bulldogs appeared poised to be one of the four teams in the inaugural College Football Playoff before falling to Ole Miss 31-17 in the Egg Bowl. The Yellow Jackets shocked Georgia, winning 30-24 in overtime in the 2014 edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate, but were just edged by Florida State 37-25 in the ACC Championship Game.

Rest assured, these teams are entering the Orange Bowl with big chips on their shoulders, and we're going to get an exciting contest when two strong but diverse teams take the gridiron.

Before things get underway from Miami, here's one last look at the game's viewing information, odds, preview and prediction.

Game Information

When: Wednesday, December 31

Where: Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Channel: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Betting Info (via Odds Shark):

• Over/Under: 61.5
• Spread: Mississippi State -7

Preview and Prediction

The most intriguing matchup in this contest has to be the Yellow Jackets' triple option against the Bulldogs' 25th-ranked run defense, which allows an average of just 126.5 rushing yards per game and 3.70 yards per carry.

Georgia Tech is the nation's third-ranked rushing offense, averaging a whopping 333.6 yards per game on the ground. Much of that success is due to dual-threat quarterback Justin Thomas. This season, the sophomore has thrown for 1,594 yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for 965 yards and another five scores.

Thomas' strength is reading an opposing defense and making quick decisions with the football in hand. That was on display during the ACC Championship Game. Thomas racked up 104 rush yards, and the Yellow Jackets accumulated 331 yards and four scores on the ground as a team.

Unfortunately, Thomas isn't a prolific passer, completing just 50.9 percent of his attempts this season, and he's unlikely to take full advantage of Mississippi State's true weakness—its 121st-ranked pass defense, which allows an average of 285.2 yards per game.

The offense has been prolific this season, and while Mississippi State's defense has defended against the option in 2014, it has yet to see a triple-option attack. The Bulldogs are talented on the defensive side of the ball, though, ranking 10th in the nation in points allowed. The extra time to prepare for this contest gives them an advantage.

On the offensive side of the ball, all eyes will be on Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott. Thought to be a Heisman Trophy candidate earlier in the season, Prescott put up some gaudy numbers with both his arm and his legs. However, his production wavered later in the year with disappointing showings against Alabama and Ole Miss.

Luckily for Prescott, Georgia Tech's defense isn't as stout as the defenses of those two SEC squads. The Yellow Jackets are about average against the pass, ranking 64th in the nation and allowing an average of 227.6 yards per game through the air, and they rank 69th against the run, allowing 168.8 yards per game and 5.10 yards per carry.

Prescott hasn't eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground since October, but the Bulldogs have emerged as the nation's 20th-ranked rushing team. Running back Josh Robinson's usage has varied throughout the year, but he's averaging a healthy 6.4 yards per carry and has the ability to tear apart a defense allowing more than five yards per rush.

Once Mississippi State gets its running game going, Prescott will be able to take the top off the Georgia Tech defense with his strong arm. Usually on the receiving end of such big plays is 6'5" wide receiver De'Runnya Wilson, who is averaging 15.1 yards per catch this season.

Georgia Tech's triple option is likely to cause some issues for Mississippi State's defense. However, the Yellow Jackets will have a difficult time keeping up with a Bulldogs offense that is likely to get points on the board rather quickly.

Prediction: Mississippi State 35, Georgia Tech 28