The Mississippi State Bulldogs were coming off a highly successful 2004-05 season in which they went 23-11 straight up, including a Southeastern Conference record of 10-7, which was good for a third place finish in the SEC West Division.
The Bulldogs, interestingly enough, however, were unable to keep pace at the sportsbook with their on court record as they finished 14-17 against the spread. After a decent start the Bulldogs finished as an overlay with just two payoffs in their final nine regular season games. They did manage to make the second round of the NCAA tournament in which they then lost to Duke 55-63 as 8.5-point bargain dogs to complete the post season with a 2-1 mark ATS.
Difficult read
The on court success of Mississippi State was one of their better performances ever and the Bulldogs would prove to be a difficult read for 2005-06 in their attempts to maintain that success. Their weak performance against the board, however, would counter balance their strong straight up record and serve to potentially enhance their overall value.
Profitable Start Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State opened the 2005-06 season with a 64-48 home win over Chattanooga as 6.5-point chalks. That was then followed by a 68-63 home win over Arkansas State as 9.5-point overlays. But from there the Bulldogs were back on track starting with a 53-38 win at Charlotte as 9-point dogs for a second payoff in three games.
Incredibly enough, however, Mississippi State lost their next two games, both unlined and at home, first to Northwestern State 46-57 and then to Southeastern Louisiana 46-57.
Back on the board against New Orleans, however, the Bulldogs resumed their profitable start against the board with a 6759 win as 7.5-point home chalks. That was then followed by an 82-69 overtime win over Santa Clara as 12.5-point dogs. After an 88-77 overtime home win over Troy as 12.5-point chalks, the Bulldogs came back with a 104-80 win over Jacksonville State as 9-point chalks to complete a stretch of games in which they went 5-2 ATS.
Brief pause in profits
Mississippi State then stumbled with a 78-67 neutral court win over Liberty as 16-point overlays, which was then followed by a 72-83 neutral court loss to Akron as 1-point dogs for a brief pause in profits.
Cranking more cash
The Bulldogs resumed cranking more cash beginning with a 76-75 neutral court win over Holy Cross as 1-point dogs. That was then followed by a 63-61 home win over future Final Four qualifier George Mason as 4-point dogs. Next came a 69-67 home win over Arkansas as 6-point dogs followed by a 60-75 loss at Florida as 18.5-point dogs for a fourth straight payoff.
Red ink run Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Bulldogs impressive record against the board was about to be tarnished beginning with a 65-75 loss at Mississippi as 4.5-point dogs. That was followed by a 57-71 home loss to Louisiana State as 6-point dogs. Next came a 52-80 blowout loss at Vanderbilt as 12-point dogs followed by a 65-88 home loss to Tennessee as 5-point dogs. The bleeding stopped temporarily with a 59-65 loss/cover at Alabama as 11-point dogs but was followed by a 66-81 loss to Kentucky as 5-point dogs to complete a red ink run of 1-5 ATS.
Back as bargains
Mississippi State bounced back with a 71-53 home win over Auburn as 3.5-point chalks. That was followed by a 61-83 loss at South Carolina as 11-point dogs. From there, however, the Bulldogs were back as bargains starting with a 59-72 loss at Louisiana State as 15.5-point dogs followed by an 84-55 home win over Ole Miss as 3-point chalks. After a 71-75 loss at Auburn as 3-point dogs the Bulldogs scored an 83-68 home win over Georgia as 2.5-point chalks. That was followed by a 70-80 loss at Arkansas and then a 71-58 win over Alabama as 2-point home dogs. The Dogs then lost SU&ATS to South Carolina in the SEC tourney.