​STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football is in need of a rebound after back-to-back lopsided losses.The Bulldogs (4-2, 2-2 SEC) are hosting Oklahoma (3-3, 1-2) at Davis Wade Stadium on Oct. 24 (2:30 p.m., SEC Network). It’s the first time MSU coach Jeff Lebby is facing his former team as a head coach.Mississippi State lost, 56-23, against Alabama in Week 5 with star quarterback Kamario Taylor unable to finish the game because of an injury. Then after an open date, Mississippi State lost, 31-0 at LSU without Taylor and starting running back Fluff Bothwell.Here is our score prediction for the game.Buy Mississippi State vs Oklahoma ticketsMississippi State vs Oklahoma predictionThe outcome of this game hinges a lot on Taylor’s injury status. He was listed as questionable on the initial SEC availability report. If he plays, especially if he’s close to the superstar level he was at the first four games of the season, Mississippi State should feel good about its chances to win. If Taylor is out again, it will be much more difficult for MSU to win.This could be a low-scoring game, even if Taylor plays. Oklahoma’s strength is its defense that ranks sixth in the SEC with 18.2 points per game. Offensively, Oklahoma is 15th in the SEC with 21.3 points per game.Billy Puckett would be making his second career start if Taylor doesn’t play. The former walk-on from Jackson Prep led Mississippi State to 291 yards against LSU but no points with a 0-for-5 mark on fourth down. Puckett went 16-for-26 with 121 passing yards, no touchdowns, one interception and 40 rushing yards.John Mateer is Oklahoma’s second-year quarterback and has thrown for 1,308 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions.MORE: How Bob Stoops knew Jeff Lebby could coach, even as an Oklahoma freshman | ExclusiveMississippi State vs Oklahoma scouting reportWhy Mississippi State has an advantage: Mississippi State will have an edge at quarterback if Taylor plays. It should also have an edge at running back if Bothwell plays. Oklahoma’s offense averages 92.5 rushing yards per game, the third least in the FBS. Mississippi State receiver Anthony Evans III leads the SEC with 102.3 receiving yards per game.Mississippi State will need better a defensive performance than it got against Alabama and LSU. The Bulldogs are 15th in the SEC in scoring defense at 28.5 points per game. Starting safety Isaac Smith exited the LSU game with an injury and top linebackers Jalen Smith and Zakari Tillman didn’t play at all.Oklahoma has dealt with injuries at offensive line that Mississippi State could benefit from.Why Oklahoma has an advantage: Oklahoma, historically, has had a stout defense under coach Brent Venables and that unit is playing well again this season. Georgia scored 41 points on OU, but no other team has scored more than 24 points. Oklahoma allows the last passing yards in the SEC at 151.3 yards per game.OU beat then-No. 1 Texas two games ago while scoring only one offensive touchdown but then followed