The 2026 Duke’s Mayo Bowl features the 8-4 Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the 5-7 Mississippi State Bulldogs. Here is the 2026 Duke’s Mayo Bowl Preview.
Wake Forest won eight games to make their first bowl game since 2022. They defeated four bowl-eligible teams this season: Kennesaw State, SMU, Virginia and Delaware. Their only loss to a team that didn’t make a bowl game was to Florida State.
The Demon Deacons score 26.8 points per game, ranking 72nd in the nation. They pass for 232.2 yards (ranked 60th) and rush for 156.8 yards (ranked 71st) per game.
Robby Ashford is a well-traveled quarterback who started this season for Wake Forest. He has passed for 2,169 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions on 59.2 percent completion. Six receivers have at least 200 receiving yards on the season. Chris Barnes and Carlos Hernandez both have over 500 yards this season.
Three players have over 200 rushing yards on the season. Demond Claiborne leads the team in rushing, but he opted out. Ashford is now the team’s leading rusher from the quarterback position with 504 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Ty Clark is the lead back now, as he rushed for 232 yards and three touchdowns.
On defense, Wake Forest allows 21.5 points per game, ranking 39th in the nation. They concede 122.2 rushing yards (ranked 33rd) and 199.7 passing yards (ranked 41st) per game. Nick Anderson leads the team with 95 tackles. Langston Hardy paces the team with seven sacks. Davaugh Pattterson has made plays on the ball with nine passes defended.
The Bulldogs won just five games, but were invited to a bowl game when qualified teams turned the opportunity down. They defeated two bowl-eligible teams this year: Arizona State and Southern Miss. They lost one game to a team that didn’t make a bowl game: Florida.
Mississippi State scores 30.5 points per game, ranking 44th in the country. They pass for 236.8 yards (ranked 57th) and rush for 161.2 yards (ranked 66th) per game.
Blake Shapen returned and started at quarterback, but Kamario Taylor played down the stretch. Taylor passed for 388 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Four players have over 200 receiving yards on the year. Brenen Thompson had 53 catches for 948 yard and six touchdowns. Anthony Evans III has been solid as well with 63 catches for 751 yards and four touchdowns.
Three players have over 300 rushing yards on the season. Fluff Bothwell leads the team with 639 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Davon Booth has produced as well with 533 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Taylor hasf rushed for 395 yards from the quarterback position.
The Bulldogs’ defense gives up 29.17 points per game, tying them for 95th in the country. They allow 189.5 rushing yards (ranked 117th) and 216.3 passing yards (tied 6oth) per game. Jahron Manning leads the team with 85 total tackles. Nic Mitchell has 2.5 sacks, which surprisingly leads the team. Kelley Jones has made big plays in the secondary with 11 passes defended and two interceptions.
Wake Forest has more injuries and opt outs. Mississippi State is ready to play and Taylor provides a future at quarterback that will be exciting to see. The Bulldogs can win a close one.
Mississippi State Bulldogs 34 Wake Forest Demon Deacons 28
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