Preview: #2 Auburn vs. #3 Mississippi State
Date: 10/11/14
Time: 3:30 PM ET
Television: CBS (National)
Spread: Mississippi State -2.5
Players to Watch
Nick Marshall, Quarterback (Auburn)
Despite being suspended the first half of the opening game this year, Marshall picked up right where he left off last season. He has been dominant, averaging over seven yards per carry, and about eight yards per pass attempt, with 12 total touchdowns.
Marshall is a great fit in Gus Malzahn’s offensive game plan, and has shown to be a smart decision maker in the option running game, as well as passing the ball. He is still showing accuracy issues, completing only 57-percent of his passes.
Sammie Coates, Wide Receiver (Auburn)
Coates is not a huge focal point of the Tiger offense, especially in such a run-happy scheme, but he finds ways to make an impact. This season, he has only caught nine passes, but is averaging over 20 yards per reception, showcasing his big-play ability. He finally had his breakout performance last week against LSU, catching four passes for 144 yards and his sole touchdown, so he will likely play a bigger role moving forward.
Dak Prescott, Quarterback (Mississippi State)
Prescott has been incredible for the Bulldogs this season, now that he has assumed the full-time starting gig, rather than splitting time. So far, he has scored 20 touchdowns (13 passing, six rushing, one receiving), and has totaled almost 1,700 yards through five games, and has led Mississippi State to a top-5 spot, and huge wins over LSU and Texas A&M. He’s vaulted himself into the Heisman race, and with a win on Saturday, he'd all but cement a lead at the midway point of the season.
Benardrick McKinney, Linebacker (Mississippi State)
McKinney may have been a first round pick had he entered the 2014 NFL Draft, but chose to stay for another season in Starkville. He is a rangy linebacker with great instincts, and can win in all facets: run defense, coverage, and pass rush.
Auburn’s Offense vs Mississippi State’s Defense
Auburn has one of the best rushing attacks in the country, and Mississippi State has one of the best run defenses, which sets up an exciting matchup. If Mississippi State can minimize the damage on the ground, they have a much better chance to win, as Nick Marshall has been erratic as a passer. However, with D’Haquille Williams and Sammie Coates, they have playmakers in the passing game, if it were to fall on Marshall’s shoulders.
Mississippi State’s Offense vs Auburn’s Defense
The matchup on this side of the ball is set up the exact same way. Mississippi State has one of the top rushing offenses, while Auburn has one of the top rushing defenses. However, Prescott isn’t as talented of a passer as Marshall, and the Bulldogs don’t have the same caliber of wide receivers, so if Auburn finds a way to slow down Prescott, State may have a hard time getting the offense rolling.
Game Preview
This will be an incredibly fun game to watch. Not only is the matchup between two top-five teams, but both have stellar offenses and defenses. It will be a chess match between two great coaches that boast stellar, Heisman-caliber quarterbacks and strong rushing attacks.
Ultimately, this matchup will come down to who does a better job stopping the opposing rushing attack. This season, both teams have top-15 rushing offenses and defenses, so winning the battle along the trenches will determine who comes out victorious.
Implications
Obviously, there are massive national and conference implications riding on this game. Auburn is ranked second in the country and Mississippi State is ranked third, so both are in the hunt for the college football playoff, and a loss could jeopardize that. For conference implications, both teams are in the SEC West division, so the winner is put in better position to claim a spot in the conference championship.
Final Prediction
Auburn- 34 vs. Mississippi State- 31