Texas A&M vs Mississippi State: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time, More
There is no rest for the weary in the chaotic SEC West, which features six teams ranked 15th or higher, and this especially applies to No. 6 Texas A&M one week removed from a shaky performance.
Kenny Hill and the Aggies are on the road this time around to visit the No. 12 Mississippi State Bulldogs, a team coming off a bye week rightfully earned after an upset of LSU in Baton Rouge.
Not only do both teams tout quarterbacks who post eye-popping numbers, they also feature two of the nation's better defenses in a contest that is both the biggest test to date for each and one that will define the season on the whole.
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In the SEC East, there is minimal wiggle room for error, so Saturday's early start in Starkville figures to begin the day's festivities with a boom.
Surpassed Expectations
The shadow cast by the legend of Johnny Manziel has quickly been lifted thanks to the stunning play of sophomore Aggies quarterback Hill, who has wasted little time throwing for 1,745 yards and 17 touchdowns to two interceptions.
While Hill's resounding success certainly earns him plenty of credit, the majority of it should go to the system and abilities of coach Kevin Sumlin. His offense ranks No. 2 in the land thanks to scoring 51.2 points per game on average, a number Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen is well aware of heading into Saturday.
"You know you're going to have to score," he said, per STATS LLC, via ESPN.com. "If they hit their average, it means we have to score 52. If you hold them just below the average, we'll have to score 50. Offensively, you know you're going to have to score points against them if you're going to beat them."
Mullen's team can certainly light up the scoreboard too, though. Junior quarterback Dak Prescott has been a pleasant surprise this season, completing 60.4 percent of his passes for 964 yards and an 11-2 touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio. He also has 378 yards and three scores on the ground.
Of course, the highlight for Prescott came on the road against LSU when he racked up 373 total yards and three scores.
As College GameDay puts into visual form, both unexpected elite performers are among the best in the nation in a number of facets:
As a result, what was once a notable matchup on the entire SEC slate before the season is perhaps one of the best quarterback showcases the season has to offer, not to mention one that will give a single team a serious leg up in the race for the SEC crown.
Getting Defensive
Understandably, the mostly strong defensive work from both teams gets swept under the rug.
The Bulldogs rank in the top 20 by allowing just 16.5 points per game. Outside of beating up on lesser opponents, the unit has made a name for itself thanks to that performance against LSU, where star linebacker Benardrick McKinney and his unit held the Tigers to a 2-of-13 mark on third downs.
Now, Mississippi State does struggle against the pass (LSU threw for 341 yards), but the Aggies are certainly not perfect, either.
While Texas A&M comes in at No. 13 overall thanks to an average of 15.0 points allowed, the defense was torched by Arkansas in a 35-28 overtime win to the tune of 285 rushing yards. While most teams are due to get roughed up by the Razorbacks' attack, the point stands that the Bulldogs have an attack that can replicate the ground production Arkansas found to great success.
Not only is Prescott a serious threat on the ground, running back Josh Robinson is third in the conference in rushing yards per game (121.3), averaging 7.8 yards per carry on the way to 485 yards and four scores.
Whichever defense blinks most often in the face of elite attacks will outright decide the game.
When: Saturday, October 4, 12 p.m. ET
Where: Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field, Starkville, Mississippi
Television: ESPN
Betting Lines (via Odds Shark):
- Over/Under: 68
- Spread: Mississippi State (-2)
Team Injury Reports
| Darian Claiborne | LB | 08/06/2014 | was dismissed from the team | Out | disciplinary |
| Isaiah Golden | DT | 08/06/2014 | was dismissed from the team | Out | disciplinary |
| A.J. Hilliard | LB | 09/02/2014 | is out indefinitely | Out | ankle |
| Shelby Christy | WR | 08/31/2014 | will miss the entire season | Out | knee |
| Cedric Jiles | CB | 08/15/2014 | is out indefinitely | Out | hamstring |
| Damien Robinson | T | 08/19/2014 | will miss the entire season | Out | knee |
Injury reports via USA Today.
Prediction
On one hand, the easy pick seems the Bulldogs. At home, well rested off a bye and in possession of an attack ripe to exploit a wobbly opponent, it seems Prescott and Co. are in for another major day.
Then again, the test that was Arkansas for the Aggies cannot be overstated. Hill and the rest of the team were bent but in no way broken in what was akin to a serious growth spurt as halftime adjustments eventually saw the team to a win.
In fact, the Aggies outscore opponents by 59 points in the fourth quarter this year. Call it a slow start or give credit to Sumlin and his staff for the necessary adjustments. Either way, understand that Hill can keep the Aggies in the game before adjustments are made.
Expect this one to be close through three quarters and change, but when push comes to shove, the better coaching staff—and arguably, the better quarterback—wins out.
Prediction: Aggies 35, Bulldogs 30
Statistics and info courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
