2017 Taxslayer Betting Odds - Louisville vs. Mississippi State

The Taxslayer Bowl between Louisville and Mississippi State pits two 8-4 teams with the Cardinals a -7 favorite after opening at -4.5.

The College Football Betting Power Ratings suggest the line on this game should be Mississippi State -1, though there are variables at play which may not be factored into these ratings. They lost their head coach, Dan Mullin, and the Bulldogs lost starting quarterback Nick Fitzgerald with a dislocated ankle on Thanksgiving. He was on his way to becoming the first player in SEC history with multiple seasons of 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards. Freshman Keytaon Thompson amassed 316 total yards and two touchdowns in relief but he's no Nick Fitzgerald.

The Taxslayer Bowl was originally called the Gator Bowl and has conference tie-ins with the SEC, Big Ten and ACC.  It is played in Jacksonville. 

This bowl game features a payout of US$3,500,000 (As of 2014).