How excited is Mississippi State to be in the Belk Bowl?

It’s not exactly the way star QB Dak Prescott wanted to finish his playing career. Especially after leading the Bulldogs to a No. 1 ranking last season and a berth in the Orange Bowl.

But Prescott’s last game and an opportunity for redemption after last season’s bowl loss to Georgia Tech and last month’s Egg Bowl loss to Ole Miss gives the Bulldogs incentive. During a goodbye address, Prescott gave an emotional goodbye address to his teammates.

After failing to win the SEC West last season, the Bulldogs played like they were disinterested in Miami against Georgia Tech.

Expect the Bulldogs to be ready this year. Coach Dan Mullen seems likely to return despite another year on the hot lists of search committees across the nation.

Prescott might benefit from solid performances in their last college games before the spring NFL Draft. Mullen said he expected five underclassmen to request grades for the upcoming draft. The list of NFL-eligible players include receivers Fred Ross and De’Runnya Wilson and LB Richie Brown.

Beating N.C. State shouldn’t be much of a trick for a motivated Bulldogs team. The Wolfpack didn’t beat a single FBS team with a winning record.

With a dominating performance, the Bulldogs also have an outside chance to slip back into the top 25 in the AP or coaches’ polls.

Playing in Charlotte, the Wolfpack should enjoy the home-crowd edge. And it’s an opportunity for its senior QB, Florida transfer Jacoby Brissett, to go out with a victory over an SEC team.

Mullen’s Bulldogs teams are 3-2 in bowl games.