Oklahoma vs Mississippi State Picks and Predictions for Saturday, October 24, 2026

The Oklahoma Sooners travel to Starkville on Saturday to face the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Kickoff is at 3:30 pm ET on SEC Network. Oklahoma is 3-3 and sits 11th in the SEC with a 1-2 conference record. The Sooners lost 21-13 to Kentucky last weekend, one week after beating Texas 27-24. Mississippi State is 4-2 overall and 2-2 in the SEC, tied for seventh in the conference. The Bulldogs were shut out 31-0 at LSU in their latest game, following a 56-23 loss to Alabama. Be a winner Saturday with our free NCAAF picks.

Oklahoma Searching for More Points

Oklahoma's games haven't offered much middle ground lately. The Sooners beat Texas 27-24, then couldn't get beyond 13 points against Kentucky. That was also their total in a 41-13 loss at Georgia. Earlier, they held New Mexico to six points in a 14-6 win, but scored only 10 in a defeat at Michigan. It's hard to win consistently with those numbers. Oklahoma has rushed for 555 yards through six games, averaging 2.8 yards per carry, which puts plenty on the quarterback's shoulders.

John Mateer has completed 114 of 175 passes for 1,308 yards, with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. He's also taken 16 sacks. Lloyd Avant leads the backfield with 267 yards on 60 carries, and he's scored twice. Isaiah Sategna III has 33 receptions for 414 yards, while tight end Rocky Beers has added 329 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Owen Heinecke has 44 tackles and Jake Kreul has three sacks. The Sooners need their offense to give that defense something to work with.

Injuries: T. Harris is out with a back injury. E. Thomas is questionable with a lower-body injury.

Mississippi State Coming Off Two Rough Losses

Mississippi State was playing well in September. The Bulldogs won 38-13 at Minnesota, then took close games against South Carolina and Missouri, scoring 41 and 31 points. October has brought a different story. Alabama scored 56 against them, and LSU followed by keeping Mississippi State scoreless in a 31-0 defeat. That leaves the Bulldogs trying to recover from two different problems: a defense that gave up too much against Alabama and an offense that couldn't finish drives at LSU.

Kamario Taylor has thrown for 1,450 yards and 17 touchdowns, with only four interceptions. He's listed as questionable, making his status worth watching. Anthony Evans III has been his top receiver, catching 47 passes for 614 yards and five touchdowns. Sanfrisco Magee has another five receiving scores. Fluff Bothwell leads the rushing attack with 403 yards and three touchdowns, although he's also questionable. Tyler Lockhart leads the defense with 38 tackles, while Will Whitson has two sacks. Mississippi State needs its offensive playmakers available.

Injuries: T. Williams and B. Mitchell are out. A. Williams, J. Freeman, Fluff Bothwell and Kamario Taylor are questionable.

Key To The Game

Oklahoma's rushing attack averages only 2.8 yards per carry. That puts Mateer in passing situations, with seven interceptions already. Mississippi State can move the ball through Taylor, but his availability is uncertain. Whichever quarterback protects the ball better will have an advantage.

Oklahoma vs Mississippi State Game Pick

• Oklahoma Sooners -4

Mississippi State has lost its last two games by a combined 64 points, and its injury list includes Taylor and Bothwell. Oklahoma has struggled on offense as well, but the Sooners beat Texas recently and have kept several opponents in low-scoring games. Mateer needs to avoid turnovers, especially on the road. Oklahoma has the stronger path to controlling this matchup and will win by enough to cover the four-point spread.

Oklahoma vs Mississippi State Over/Under Pick

• Under 44.5

Oklahoma scored 13 points against Kentucky and Georgia, and managed just 10 at Michigan. Mississippi State has more passing touchdowns, but LSU held the Bulldogs scoreless last week. Taylor and Bothwell are both questionable, leaving uncertainty around the home offense. Oklahoma's running game has also struggled to move the chains. With both teams having trouble scoring lately, this game will stay under the 44.5-point total on Saturday afternoon in Starkville.