Now that the Pop-Tarts Bowl is behind us, another food-centered fan favorite is upon us. The Duke’s Mayo Bowl – which ends with the winning coach having a cooler full of the condiment poured on top of him – will take place this Friday between Mississippi State and Wake Forest.
The game snaps a three-year postseason hiatus for both teams. Mississippi State finished the 2022-23 season with a win over Illinois in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl before hitting a slump without head coach Mike Leach, who passed away just weeks before the contest. Wake Forest beat Missouri in the 2022 Gasparilla Bowl and later went to a new coach, as well.
Bringing it back to 2025, Mississippi State (5-7, 1-7 SEC) snuck into the postseason under second-year coach Jeff Lebby after not enough six-win teams were willing to participate. Wake Forest (8-4, 4-4 ACC), under first-year coach Jake Dickert, reached the eight-win threshold in the regular season for the first time since 2021.
From opt-outs to start time and how to tune in live, here’s what to know ahead of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Rosters update
Mississippi State has seen roughly 25 players announce their intentions to enter the transfer portal, with all but backup quarterback Luke Kromenhoek expected to be unavailable for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Jimothy Lewis Jr., who was in and out of the starting lineup at offensive tackle, and safety Tony Mitchell (25 tackles) are two of the bigger names opting out for the portal. Running back Davon Booth (553 yards, seven touchdowns) announced plans to enter the NFL Draft and is not expected to play. Starting safety Isaac Smith (64 tackles, one interception) will miss the game due to injury.
Wake Forest has seen a similar number opt out to either get a headstart ahead of the portal opening or to prepare for the draft. The Demon Deacons are expected to be without leading rusher Demond Claiborne (907 yards, 10 touchdowns), who is skipping the game for draft training. The same can be said for leading receiver Chris Barnes (547 yards, three touchdowns), except he’s working to find a new college home.
QB shuffle
Mississippi State will be without quarterback Blake Shapen. Shapen, a graduate player who started the first 11 games of the regular season before being benched for freshman Kamario Taylor, was announced as no longer with the team by Lebby on Dec. 10.
“Blake is at home, and he’s training, getting ready for an all-star game, getting ready for pro day,” Lebby told reporters, confirming Shapen will not play in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Taylor told reporters that he’s grateful for the opportunity to stay behind center after an encouraging Egg Bowl performance against Ole Miss in the final regular-season game. The Noxubee County product compiled 178 passing yards and 173 rushing yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception in his first start.
“It’s been very fun to get a chance to go out there and compete again with the seniors and the older guys. We’ve got another chance at an opportunity to show the world what Mississippi State is going to become,” Taylor said.
Wake Forest quarterback Robby Ashford is expected to play in the bowl game despite dealing with a thumb injury earlier in the season. The former Auburn and South Carolina signal-caller has 2,673 total yards and 16 touchdowns with seven interceptions for the Demon Deacons.
Quick stats
- Mississippi State’s offense averages 398.4 yards per game (58th in FBS) while Wake Forest’s offense averages 389.1 yards per game (69th).
- Mississippi State’s offense averages 30.5 points per game (44th in FBS) while Wake Forest’s offense averages 26.8 points per game (75th).
- Wake Forest’s defense allows 321.9 yards per game (26th in FBS) while Mississippi State’s defense allows 405.8 yards per game (104th).
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- Wake Forest’s defense allows 21.5 points per game (38th in FBS) while Mississippi State’s defense allows 29.2 points per game (96th).
- Mississippi State is a 3-point favorite, according to BetMGM.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl start time
The Duke’s Mayo Bowl will kick off from inside Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Friday, Jan. 2, at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available for the game and can be purchased here.
How to listen to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
For those tuning in via radio, participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations will be airing the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. To find a station in your signal range, click here. You can also listen on the SuperTalk app, available on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
How to watch the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
For those tuning in via TV, the Duke’s Mayo Bowl will be carried by ESPN.
