Wake Forest defeated Mississippi State 43-29 in a competitive Week 1 matchup, with the Demon Deacons covering the 2.5-point spread. The game exceeded the over-under, finishing with 72 total points.

Wake Forest dominated early, scoring 15 points in the first quarter and 15 more in the third quarter to build a commanding lead. Ty Clark III led the Demon Deacons' ground attack with 91 rushing yards, while quarterback Robby Ashford connected with multiple receivers, including a 62-yard touchdown pass to Clark in the fourth quarter and a 64-yard scoring strike to J. Foley in the third.

Mississippi State mounted a fourth-quarter comeback attempt behind quarterback K. Taylor and receiver B. Thompson, who caught a 51-yard pass in the first quarter. Anthony Evans III paced the Bulldogs' receiving corps with 80 yards, while Luke Kromenhoek completed 53 passes. Mississippi State's S. Magee hauled in a fourth-quarter touchdown reception, but the rally fell short.

The lead changed hands 26 times throughout the contest, creating a tightly contested game that came down to execution in the final moments.