LSU-Miss. St. picks: Our LSU beat team predicts the winner | LSU

Our LSU beat team decides if the No. 22 Tigers will bounce back from their second road SEC loss of the season in a matchup against No. 16 Mississippi State. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPN.

Scott Rabalais

LSU 38, Mississippi State 16

I’m not showing this much confidence in the Tigers because of the visitors’ pink locker room. The pick is based on State quarterback Kamario Taylor being limited or unable to play because of his foot injury. I don’t think any backup QB the Bulldogs turn to will be exceptionally productive against a riled-up LSU defense. If Taylor plays, I’ll still take LSU but in a much closer game, something like 34-23.

Jon Blau

LSU 34, Mississippi State 27

This score is highly variable depending on whether Kamario Taylor plays, or if he’s close to healthy. If he’s hobbled, Taylor should be easier to corral, and this is an offensive line the Tigers defensive line should post some wins against. Mississippi State ranks 109th nationally in sacks allowed at 2.6 per game. If Princewill Umanmielen and friends can apply pressure after a quiet outing at Kentucky, LSU should bounce back.

Koki Riley

LSU 38, Mississippi State 20

Hard to feel good picking this game, which hinges so heavily on the health of two players. Without Kamario Taylor and Fluff Bothwell, the Bulldogs don’t stand much of a chance of winning in Tiger Stadium, even if it’s a day game. If both players are healthy, this score will be very wrong, but I’m skeptical that the off week was enough to heal Taylor’s turf toe. That injury is more serious than it sounds.

Reed Darcey

LSU 35, Mississippi State 21

Odd circumstances around this one. Mississippi State is ranked higher than LSU in the polls, but LSU is a two-touchdown favorite. The Tigers are at home, too, but the kickoff is at 11 a.m. Most folks seem to think Kamario Taylor won’t play, which is obviously a huge factor here, but it feels like whoever starts at quarterback for the Bulldogs will have trouble keeping pace with LSU. The State defense doesn’t scare anybody.