Kickoff: 4:15 PM ET
Venue: Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field, Starkville, Mississippi
Broadcast: SEC Network
Weather Forecast (Starkville, MS)
Temperature: ~85°F (29°C) at kickoff
Conditions: Mostly sunny, humid, light winds (5–8 mph)
Impact: Classic Mississippi September heat; depth and conditioning could be factors in the second half.
Injury Report
Northern Illinois Huskies (MAC):
QB Josh Holst (91 yards passing vs. Maryland) healthy but limited in production.
RB Chavon Wright (167 rushing yards, 1 TD this season) available.
RB Telly Johnson Jr. (153 rushing yards, 1 TD) active.
WR Gary Givens III (26 yards vs. Maryland) healthy.
No major defensive absences reported.
Mississippi State Bulldogs (SEC):
QB Blake Shapen (722 passing yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs through three games) healthy and starting.
RB Da’Marion “Fluff” Bothwell (170 rushing yards, 4 TDs) available.
WR Jordan Mosley (75-yard TD catch vs. Alcorn State) active.
OL Will Whitson out for the season (undisclosed).
Defense intact, allowing just 37 points across three games.
Key Player Matchups
QB Josh Holst (NIU) vs. MSU Secondary
Holst has struggled to generate explosive plays; MSU’s DBs will look to force turnovers.
RB Chavon Wright & RB Telly Johnson Jr. (NIU) vs. MSU Front Seven
NIU leans heavily on the run (96 rush attempts in two games); Bulldogs must prove they can consistently stop the ground game.
QB Blake Shapen (MSU) vs. NIU Pass Defense
Shapen is completing over 70% of passes; NIU must pressure him to avoid being picked apart.
RB Fluff Bothwell (MSU) vs. NIU Linebackers
Bothwell’s explosiveness (7.8 YPC vs. Alcorn State) could break the game open.
Recent Team Form
Northern Illinois Huskies (1–1, MAC)
8/30/25: W 31–10 vs. FCS opponent
9/6/25: L 20–9 @ Maryland
Trend: Run-heavy offense, but passing game limited; defense physical but vulnerable against Power Five size.
Mississippi State Bulldogs (3–0, SEC)
8/30/25: W 28–24 @ Arizona State
9/6/25: W 30–13 vs. Arizona
9/13/25: W 63–0 vs. Alcorn State
Trend: Offense balanced and efficient, defense improving each week; Bulldogs off to best start since 2018.
Series History
This is the first-ever meeting between Northern Illinois and Mississippi State.
Fun note: NIU’s only win over an SEC team came exactly 22 years earlier on Sept. 20, 2003, when they upset No. 21 Alabama 19–16.
Betting Trends
Mississippi State:
3–0 ATS in 2025.
1 of 3 games has gone over the total.
1–0 ATS as a 21+ point favorite this season.
Northern Illinois:
1–1 ATS in 2025.
Neither of their games has gone over the total.
0–5 SU in last 5 vs. SEC opponents.
Head-to-Head: First meeting.
Historical Betting Results
Mississippi State: Strong ATS start (3–0 in 2025); reliable at home vs. non-conference opponents.
Northern Illinois: Known for occasional Power Five upsets (beat Alabama in 2003, Nebraska in 2017), but inconsistent ATS vs. SEC.
SEC vs. MAC: SEC teams cover ~65% of the time in these matchups.
Game Odds
Northern Illinois Huskies 49.5
Mississippi State Bulldogs – 21.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
