SEC Football: Bowl Season Primer, Predictions, and Viewing Guide

Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver ArDarius Stewart (13) holds up an SEC logo after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 19, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Aeris Williams (27) jumps over Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker DeAndre Ward (28) during the first half at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

St Petersburg Bowl

Miami (OH) Redhawks vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs

When: December 26th at 11 AM Eastern Time

Where: St. Petersburg, Florida

Venue: Tropicana Field

Watch: ESPN and ESPN3

Despite the inability to clinch a winning record even with a bowl win, Mississippi State is a 14 point favorite against the Redhawks of Miami, Ohio. Miami (OH) became the first program in NCAA history to begin a season 0-6 and end the season on a 6-0 to clinch a bowl birth.

Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald leads the Bulldogs in passing and rushing. He’ll be facing a Miami (OH) defense that quietly ranked 26th in the nation in total defense – that’s better than nine SEC teams, including Mississippi State.

The Redhawks have won their last six by an average margin of 30-19. They’ll have their work cut out for them against a Mississippi State team that averaged 4.3 touchdowns per game. The bottom of the SEC wasn’t great this year, but it was still better than the Mid-American Conference.