LSU vs. Mississippi State: Preview, Over/Under, Spread, Predictions and TV Info

The LSU Tigers and Mississippi State Bulldogs meet one another on Thursday in a game that is all about chances.

For the Bulldogs, they are on the precipice of falling to 1-2 and, worse yet, out of the top 25—not a promising BCS bowl scenario. There is still a chance for redemption, and this game is it.

For LSU, it has the chance of reaching the highest of standards. With No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 5 Florida State doing battle Saturday, a No. 1 ranking is not out of the question, especially considering Alabama's quarterback issues. That is something weighed heavily by voters.

Both teams enter Thursday as most college football teams do: with a shot at proving themselves. In this case, the stakes are at an all-time high.  

Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, Miss. 

When: Thursday at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN and streaming live on ESPN3.com

Spread: LSU -4.5, Mississippi State +4.5 

The line has grown from the tasty 3.5 it was a few days ago. I still think it's a nice number as LSU has all the momentum, even going into a home game. Its defense should halt what the Bulldogs throw at it. 

Over/Under: 50 points; -110 over, -110 under 

On one hand you have a defensive team with eyes on a BCS bid. LSU will be dialed in for this marquee matchup. If you have to lay some money, I would go under. As you can tell in my prediction, I don't see this game going past 45 points. 

Key Injuries: LSU WR Rueben Randle, expected to play (knee); Jarrett Lee, expected to play (ankle)

MSU C Quentin Saulsberry, expected to play (knee); James Carmon LT day-to-day (most likely a game-time decision) (knee) 

BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications: You couldn't ask for a bigger game on a Thursday night. A loss for the Bulldogs would send them clear out of the top 25 by Tuesday. It would also threaten any chance they would have at a BCS bid. 

For LSU, a loss would be less disastrous but would still hurt. A win could launch the Tigers into the stratosphere. Even if they didn't take the No. 1 spot, they would be in the discussion moving forward. 

Keys to LSU Win: The Tigers need to do what they do best: defense. Chris Relf and Vick Ballard are the dynamic duo that keep the Bulldogs running. If the LSU linebackers can stop Ballard, the game lies on Relf's arm. And I like those chances. 

Keys to Mississippi State Win: Conversely, the Bulldogs have to be successful on offense, spreading the love to all areas. They can't be overzealous with Ballard running the ball. 

They have to get to Jarrett Lee in the pocket. Jordan Jefferson's understudy has been too comfortable of late.  

Prediction: LSU 24, Mississippi State 17

I am going with momentum here. LSU has the defense to stop the run and will put enough on the board to lead the Bulldogs by a score a the end.