Top SEC Games: Week Five Edition
Sep 26, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen shakes hands with Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn after the game at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Bulldogs beat the Tigers 17-9. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
21 Mississippi State VS 14 Texas A&M
Location: Kyle Field, College Station, TX
Game Time: Saturday, October 3 7:30PM ET
TV: SEC Network
Last year the Bulldogs embarrassed the Aggies at home in what at the time was considered an upset. Late season results would prove that not to be true. Nonetheless, the Aggies now get to return the favor with a Saturday night visit from the Bulldogs in College Station. A&M held on last weekend for an overtime win against Arkansas. Did A&M have a bad game, or did Arkansas simply show some life? I’ll go with the latter for now. Mississippi State, on the other hand, took care of business against, at this point, a very pitiful Auburn team. Still, beating an SEC opponent in their own back yard is nothing to thumb your nose at, regardless of who it is.
My prediction is this becomes a shootout in College Station. A&M’s defense is certainly better than last year, but is it enough to take over and win the game? I’m not sold yet. The same can be said about Mississippi State’s defense as well. Good in its own respect, but not dominant enough to be the deciding factor.
Sep 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) in action against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
How will Mississippi State’s young makeshift offensive line fare against A&M All-American DE Myles Garrett? I believe Dan Mullen and crew will be forced to turn Prescott loose to open up some form of a running game. Prescott will not have the luxury of throwing from the pocket with Garrett chasing him down from the blindside and will ultimately be forced to use his feet for the first real time this year.
If the Bulldogs come out on top Saturday night, they automatically become a legitimate contender in the SEC West and Starkville bartenders will snap up some drinks after Prescott’s heroics. If the Aggies come out on top Saturday night, however, their October 24th date with Ole Miss will loom large, regardless of what happens against Alabama on October 17th.
Prepare to see another piece of the SEC West puzzle put into place upon the completion of this game Saturday night.
Next: Running Backs between the Hedges
