Vanderbilt vs. Mississippi State: Game Grades, Analysis for the Bulldogs

The Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 51-0 on Saturday to remain in the hunt for a spot in the first annual College Football Playoff. 

The Bulldogs, behind Heisman candidate Dak Prescott, rolled up over 500 yards of total offense, forced three turnovers and held the Commodores to just 224 total yards.

Prescott, who exited the game late in the third quarter, completed 16 of 21 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Prescott also ran for a touchdown, too. 

Mississippi State ran for 284 yards, and 11 different Bulldogs caught a pass. 

It all comes down to the Egg Bowl for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs head to Oxford next week with a spot in the College Football Playoff on the line. 

How did Mississippi State grade out in its win over Vanderbilt?

Positional Unit	First-Half Grade	Second-Half Grade
Pass Offense	A	A-
Rush Offense	A	A
Pass Defense	A	A
Rush Defense	A	A
Special Teams	B	A-
Coaching	A	A

Mississippi State Bulldogs Game Grades Analysis

Pass Offense: Dak Prescott was terrific. He got everyone involved in the offense and did not turn the ball over. He completed just under 80 percent of his passes and tossed three touchdown passes.

Rush Offense: The Bulldogs ran for 284 yards, as six different players ran for at least 28 yards apiece. Brandon Holloway led the Bulldogs with 65 yards on 10 carries. The team averaged just under 6 yards per carry.

Pass Defense: MSU picked off two passes and put pressure on Vanderbilt's three quarterbacks all night long. Vanderbilt completed less than 50 percent of its passes. 

Rush Defense: Vanderbilt's leading rusher, Ralph Webb, had just 16 yards on 11 carries. Vandy's leading rusher was quarterback Johnny McCrary, who rushed for just 20 yards. 

Special Teams: Darrius Sims is an excellent return man for the Commodores, yet MSU held Sims to an average of just 16 yards per kick return. Evan Sobiesk did miss an extra point for the Bulldogs. 

Coaching: Dan Mullen had his team prepared. This team knows it has a shot at the national championship and played like it on Saturday night. The offense was balanced, and the defense was aggressive.