Mississippi State had a rough ending to the season, losing to Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl, then losing its coach to Florida. But an eighth consecutive bowl appearance has softened the blows a little. A sixth bowl win in that stretch would go a long way toward healing, but it won’t be easy as the underdog in Saturday’s TaxSlayer Bowl against Louisville. Here are 10 predictions.

1. Underrated Williams will get 100

Aeris Williams remains one of the SEC’s most underrated backs. Williams is one of only seven backs in the conference to rush for more than 1,000 yards and he did so as his own quarterback, Nick Fitzgerald nearly rushed for 1,000 himself. Louisville is ninth in the ACC, allowing 154 rushing yards per game. Williams will have his fifth 100-yard game of the year.

2. Lamar Jackson will top that

Mississippi State is dealing with an SEC-caliber animal in the Louisville quarterback. The 2016 Heisman winner finished second in the ACC with 1,443 rushing yards. He has rushed for 100 yards or more in six consecutive games, 147 or more in five of those. Mississippi State will bring pressure, but it better be from all angles to keep Jackson from running wild. Projection: 150 rushing yards for Jackson. Todd Grantham’s departure from the Bulldogs’ scheme will be clear against Jackson.

3. Simmons will grab a bigger spotlight

One of the best things about playing in a bowl is your team gets a lone spotlight for a handful of hours. Bulldogs’ DL Jeffery Simmons has 11.5 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks. Jackson won’t be sacked much, but when he is, it will be because of Simmons. Two sacks for Simmons who will see his NFL spotlight become brighter.

4. Mississippi State will have a pick-6

The Bulldogs will have a tough time limiting Jackson, but their fourth-ranked pass defense can be an issue for the Cardinals’ quarterback. Mark McLaurin has a team-high three interceptions. He will make it four and take it to the house for six.

5. Look for a sign

Mississippi State will carry a large crowd to Jacksonville. There will be at least one clever sign caught on television bashing former coach Dan Mullen for taking the job at Florida. Mississippi State would not be accustomed to playing in the bigger bowls such as this one if not for Mullen, but some quickly forget that. There will be more than one sign expressing ill, but at least one will be television worthy, just like Mullen made the Bulldogs.

Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

6. Keytaon Thompson will be picked — twice

Louisville has 12 picks and will double its one-per-game average. Mississippi State’s freshman quarterback has had a month to prepare after emergency call-to-action against Ole Miss on Thanksgiving. He completed 13 of 27 passes in a loss; it takes more than a month to get that stat straight, especially without Mullen. Thompson will be picked twice.

7. Bonnafon forgotten no more

Mississippi State is aware of it but a lot of fans will write off Louisville back Reggie Bonnafon because they pay too much attention to Jackson. Bonnafon has only four games with 10 or more carries, but this will be the fifth. With so much attention on Jackson, expect the senior to get his second 100-yard game of the season, at least a season-high 108.

8. Sweat will force a pick

Mississippi State’s won’t pick up an interception off the end of the line, but he will force Jackson to throw one – maybe to McLaurin – because of his pursuit of Jackson. Sweat has 9.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles-for-loss. Jackson hasn’t throw a pick in a month and has six on the season on 399 passing attempts. Sweat will force him into the rare miscue.

9. Willie Gay will make a highlight hit

The Mississippi State freshman linebacker is already one of the team’s best players and will soon be known as one of the best in the SEC. Gay has 19 tackles, two breakups, a deflection and a forced fumble. Those stats are tough to predict, but it is easier to predict that Gay will have a bone-jarring hit at some point during the game. He’s physical and his team will have to be to have a chance to win. He’ll rise to that level and get himself a Twitter-trending highlight.

10. Two skipping leaves Greenard with an opportunity

Louisville’s Jaire Alexander and James Hearns are skipping the bowl games in preparation for the NFL. That leaves sophomore linebacker Jon Greenard an opportunity to shine. Greenard has 7 sacks and 15.5 tackles-for-loss, both numbers either equal to or better than fellow linebacker Hearns. Greenard has a chance to prove he can do it without Hearns beside him and he’ll lead the team in tackles-for-loss against a scrambling new Mississippi State quarterback.