Mississippi State accepts Outback Bowl bid

It’s back to the Sunshine State for Mississippi state who has accepted a bid to its first-ever Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida.

The Bulldogs will be taking on Iowa on New Year’s Day, having finished 2018 at number 18, its highest college football playoff ranking since 2014.

This will be a school-record ninth consecutive bowl game appearance, led by a defense that was top in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 12 points per game.

The Bulldogs and Hawkeyes will kick off at 11 a.m. on ESPN2 from Raymond James Stadium.

Today, five of the key cogs from that defense were tabbed All-SEC by the Associated Press. On the first team it’s Montez Sweat, Conerly Trophy winner Jeffrey Simmons, and Jones College alum Johnathan Abram.

As for the second team, it’s Errol Thompson and Cameron Dantzler.

Now only three unanimous selections this year and Ole Miss wide receiver AJ Brown is one of them. He’s joined by offensive tackle Greg Little.

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took home SEC Offensive Player of the Year and Mississippi Gulf Coast alum Isaiah Buggs also getting the nod on second team defense.