ESPN’s FPI predicts outcome of Mississippi State vs. LSU

The No. 14-ranked LSU Tigers (1-1) got off to a rough start to the 2023 college football season, trounced 45-24 by the Florida State Seminoles in Week 1 on the national stage.

But they came back in dominant fashion, getting their feet under them with a 72-10 victory over Grambling State. Now, the Tigers face stiffer in-conference competition against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Week 3.

ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) predicts the outcome of each matchup in every week of the college football season and currently has the Tigers favored over the Bulldogs, giving them a 67.5% shot at victory. It makes sense the network would expect LSU to reign victorious with MSU in a state of transition, still showing some offensive sputters and a need to get into more consistent rhythm in the Zach Arnett era.

But it’s equally easy to argue that LSU is still not playing up to its own standard in many facets and that this will serve as a proper measuring stick against true SEC competition.

MSU heads into the game with a pristine record after winning its Week 1 game, 48-7 over the Southeastern Louisiana Lions and then taking down the Arizona Wildcats, 34-21 in overtime.

LSU and MSU are set to kick off at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday in Davis Wade Stadium.