Mississippi State opens its season on the road Saturday against in-state rival Southern Mississippi in what is expected to be an easy win for the Bulldogs, who are 21-point favorites.

Although the Golden Eagles are in rebuilding mode, Southern Mississippi actually leads the series against Mississippi State 14-13-1 and always seems to play the Bulldogs tough. It will also have the luxury of playing in front of its home crowd.

Anyone who remembers last year’s 49-0 debacle in Starkville, where the Bulldogs got to virtually play everyone on their sideline, knows that this game shouldn’t be a problem for Mississippi State and its Heisman-hopeful quarterback Dak Prescott.

Here’s a look at Prescott and four other players that Mississippi State and Southern Mississippi fans should know when the Bulldogs and Golden Eagles square off in the season opener Sept. 5 in Hattiesburg:

1. QB Dak Prescott (Mississippi State): The Bulldogs average more than 500 yards per game on offense with Prescott as the starter. He is as dangerous of a dual-threat quarterback as there is in college football and he will put up numbers with his arm and legs this season that will most likely put him in the Heisman Trophy race at the end of the year.

Prescott has thrown a touchdown pass in 14 consecutive games, which is the longest current streak in the SEC and fifth-longest in the nation, and his 60.4 career completion percentage is a school record.

His legs are just as dangerous. Prescott’s 986 rushing yards were second on Mississippi State last season and he is 11 rushing touchdowns away from tying the school record.

What’s even better is Prescott could have gone to the NFL after winning 10 games with the Bulldogs last season, but he decided to come back and achieve some more team and individual goals. Subsequently, Prescott has graduated from Mississippi State already and now can just focus on developing into the best quarterback he can be.

2. WR Mike Thomas (Southern Mississippi): Last season Thomas led the Golden Eagles in receiving yards (592) and receiving touchdowns (5). He caught at least one pass in all 12 of Southern Mississippi’s games last year, including a 9-catch, 114-yard, two-touchdown performance against Middle Tennessee.

Thomas is the primary receiver that the Bulldogs will have to be concerned with and he also serves as the kick returner for Southern Mississippi. His speed and ability to make defenders miss tackles in the open field should be respected.

3. WR De’Runnya Wilson (Mississippi State): Wilson returns as Mississippi State’s leader in receptions (47), yards (680) and touchdowns (9). Being the No. 1 target for one of college football’s best quarterbacks will lend itself to stats like that — being 6-foot-5, 216 pounds doesn’t hurt either.

Both of the Golden Eagles safeties are 6-foot and their tallest starting cornerback is 5-foot-11, so it’s safe to say the Southern Mississippi secondary is going to have a hard time stopping Wilson in this game. Perhaps the Golden Eagles will deploy backup “Spur” safety Evan Osborne, who’s listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, to try and stop Wilson.

4. MLB Brian Anderson (Southern Mississippi): Anderson is the senior leader on defense for Southern Mississippi and returns as the Golden Eagles top tackler from a season ago.

Anderson had 65 tackles, 3 for a loss, and added a fumble recovery despite only playing in eight games in 2014. Anderson missed the final four games of the season with a back injury but still managed to finish fourth on the team in tackles. He is now healthy and ready to lead the Southern Mississippi defense.

5. DT Chris Jones (Mississippi State): The long-awaited debut of Jones as a full-time starter is finally here. A former five-star recruit, Jones’ impact was felt when he was a true freshman in 2013 and finished the year second on the team in sacks with 3. But he seemed to take a step back last year as a sophomore and never broke out of his rotational backup role.

This year, Jones is the man on that Bulldogs defensive front and how he plays all season will go a long way in determining the success of Mississippi State’s defense.

Jones is a load in the middle that will make it difficult for any opposing offense to run on the Bulldogs but he also has a nose for the backfield. Besides the occasional sack, Jones will consistently hurry the quarterback and make tackles for loss.

It’s highly doubtful that the Southern Mississippi offensive line is ready for a player like Jones.

Other to watch on Mississippi State: RB Ashton Shumpert, LB Beniquez Brown, CB Will Redmond, CB Taveze Calhoun

Others to watch on Southern Mississippi: WR Casey Martin, LB Dylan Bradley, RB Jalen Richard, CB Kalan Reed