Head coach Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers are hoping to get back in the win column this week against Mississippi State after a tough overtime loss to Kentucky. LSU enters as the No. 22 team in the country with a 4-2 overall record. The Tigers will host the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who sit at No. 16 with a 4-1 record.

The Bulldogs have been one of the better stories in college football, and the breakout of sophomore quarterback Kamario Taylor is a big reason why. Taylor’s emergence has made Mississippi State one of the more fun teams to watch in the SEC.

With the help of several of my A to Z Sports colleagues, we put together final score predictions for this battle between LSU and Mississippi State in Death Valley. It promises to be entertaining at the very least. Kiffin is a character in his own right, and Jeff Lebby is an ascending young head coach on the opposite sideline.

Here is how the A to Z Sports staff sees this one playing out.

Justin Churchill, A to Z Sports Oklahoma

The Bulldogs are one of the teams in the country considered America’s sweethearts right now. Everyone wants to see them do well, especially given who their quarterback is and the path they’ve taken to get here. But it’s not because they’re likable. This is a good football team. Quarterback Kamario Taylor can take over a game on offense, and I think that’s exactly what he’s going to do this week. LSU struggled with Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey. While their offense is good with some good weapons and an amazing play caller, I think MSU is comparable. Give me the Bulldogs as LSU starts to plummet early in the Lane Kiffin era.

Final score prediction: Mississippi State 30, LSU 27

Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama

It was one thing for the LSU Tigers to lose to Ole Miss on the road with health concerns in that atmosphere. And don’t get me wrong, few people are higher on the Kentucky Wildcats and Will Stein than I am. But a team with national championship aspirations doesn’t lose that game in overtime. The truth is, year-one college football expectations were always high for this— college football playoff expectations were always high for this squad. And Sam Leavitt’s play has only solidified that. Mississippi State lost a big one at home to Alabama, but it’s clear that Kamario Taylor wasn’t right. And likely still isn’t. Because of that and 3 losses essentially ending the Tiger season, I’m going to take LSU here.

Final score prediction: LSU 40, Mississippi State 25

Brandon Little, A to Z Sports Ohio State

LSU still technically has a shot at the College Football Playoff this season, but that may not be the case in a few weeks when the Tigers are put through the meat grinder of their schedule. After losing Kentucky, LSU can’t afford to lose this one at home against Mississippi State. The Tigers need Sam Leavitt to stop turning the ball over, especially against a dangerous Bulldogs offense this week. On the flip side, LSU has to be better against the run than it was against Kentucky. The Tigers have a plethora of problems right now, and if Mississippi State is hitting explosives on Saturday, this game might just go the Bulldogs’ way. I’m going to ride with LSU because if the Tigers don’t win this game, things could get uncomfortable for Lane Kiffin sooner rather than later.

Final score prediction: LSU 33, Mississippi State 20

Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Florida

> This is a fascinating matchup, not just because Camario Taylor is an up-and-coming star, but because we are getting close to having a tough conversation about Lane Kiffin. Brutal losses to both Ole Miss and Kentucky, and these Tigers don’t have a single win over a quality opponent this season. Both losses came on the road, and this game will be at home. Even so, I don’t trust this Sam Leavitt, and the talent on both sides of the football isn’t as strong as it has been in the past. I think Taylor is going to take advantage of a Tigers defense that isn’t as good as we thought it might be.

Final score prediction: Mississippi State 34, LSU 27

Craig Smith, A to Z Sports Tennessee

This would be a great opportunity for the Bulldogs to pick up a rare win over a reeling Tigers team coming off of a deflating 35-34 overtime loss to Kentucky last week. State has had a week off to stew over getting absolutely trucked by Alabama in Tuscaloosa 56-23 two weeks ago. The problem is Kamario Taylor is iffy heading towards the game with a foot injury he suffered in the loss to the Crimson Tide. Even with Taylor, winning at Tiger Stadium would be a major challenge. Winning without him seems extremely unlikely unless he’s cleared and fully effective. I’m leaning the Tigers in this one.

Final score prediction: LSU 34, Mississippi State 24

Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports Notre Dame

LSU already has two losses and is coming off a tough overtime defeat to the Kentucky Wildcats. Because of that, I think Kiffin’s squad comes out in a bit of a bad mood. On top of that, Death Valley is a brutal environment for Mississippi State to walk into.

Taylor, Lebby, and the rest of the Bulldogs program are one of the best stories in college football. I just think that story gets slightly halted this week.

Taylor will put some points on the board if he is healthy. Sam Leavitt and the LSU offense have been volatile, but there are still a lot of big-time weapons on that side of the ball. If you ask me, that firepower at home is enough.

I’m taking LSU to come out on top.

Final score prediction: LSU 37, Mississippi State 24

In the end, four of the six A to Z Sports staffers are riding with the Tigers, while two believe Taylor and the Bulldogs keep their run going. We will see how things play out on Saturday in Baton Rouge.