### Mississippi State and Wake Forest Set to Clash in the 2026 Duke's Mayo Bowl The 2026 Duke's Mayo Bowl features a matchup between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, taking place on January 2, 2026, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. This game presents an opportunity for Mississippi State to end a disappointing season on a high note, as they finished with a 5-7 record, while Wake Forest concluded their season with an 8-4 record, tied for seventh in the ACC. Both teams are looking to secure a postseason victory, with Mississippi State aiming to bounce back from a tough loss to Ole Miss in their last game [https://www.newsweek.com/how-to-watch-wake-forest-vs-mississippi-state-live-stream-college-football-dukes-mayo-bowl-tv-channel-11296271][https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/mississippi-state-wake-forest-prediction-odds-time-2026-dukes-mayo-bowl-picks]. ### Breakdown of the Duke's Mayo Bowl Matchup 1. **Team Performance Overview** - **Mississippi State**: Finished the season with a 5-7 record, struggling in the SEC, and looking to redeem themselves after a loss to Ole Miss [https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/mississippi-state-wake-forest-prediction-odds-time-2026-dukes-mayo-bowl-picks]. - **Wake Forest**: Ended the regular season at 8-4, with a mixed performance in the ACC, and is seeking to capitalize on their stronger season [https://www.winnersandwhiners.com/free-picks/college-football/wake-forest-demon-deacons-vs-mississippi-state-bulldogs-picks-prediction-odds-and-line-movement-for-friday-january-2-2026]. 2. **Game Predictions and Odds** - Various sports analysts and models have provided predictions for the game, with many favoring Wake Forest due to their better overall record and performance metrics [https://www.rotowire.com/cfootball/article/wake-forest-vs-mississippi-state-picks-and-predictions-for-the-dukes-mayo-bowl-101885]. - Betting odds are also being discussed, with insights into potential spreads and over/under lines [https://www.foxsports.com/articles/college-football/mississippi-state-vs-wake-forest-prediction-odds-picks-january-2-2026]. 3. **Viewing Information** - The game will be broadcasted live, with multiple streaming options available for fans to catch the action [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/what-channel-mississippi-state-wake-forest-stream-time-schedule-watch-bowl/08a4edf1ac91b947d36a86f1]. - Kickoff is scheduled for 8 PM ET, making it a prime-time event for college football fans [https://www.nj.com/tv/2026/01/wake-forest-vs-mississippi-state-free-live-stream-1226-watch-dukes-mayo-bowl-online-time-tv-channel.html]. ### Key Insights and Conclusions - **Mississippi State's Motivation**: The Bulldogs are looking to finish their season positively after a challenging year, which could provide them with the motivation needed to perform well in the bowl game. - **Wake Forest's Advantage**: With a stronger season record and a more consistent performance, Wake Forest enters the game as the favored team, aiming to secure a postseason victory for the ACC. - **Fan Engagement**: The game is expected to attract significant viewership, with various platforms providing access to fans eager to watch the matchup. In summary, the 2026 Duke's Mayo Bowl presents an intriguing clash between two teams with contrasting seasons. **Wake Forest's stronger record positions them as favorites**, while **Mississippi State seeks redemption**. The outcome will not only impact the teams' morale but also their respective conferences' standings in postseason play.