Orange Bowl 2014: Predictions and TV Info for Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech
Dak Prescott and Mississippi State had bigger plans than the Orange Bowl, but they would be wise not to overlook the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on New Year's Eve.
The Yellow Jackets gave the defending champion Florida State Seminoles all they could handle in the ACC Championship Game, and finished the season ranked 12th in the nation. If Dak and the Bulldogs aren't careful, they could get stung by the Yellow Jackets.
Here's the viewing information needed to catch what could be one of the best bowl games of the season.
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When: Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
TV: ESPN
Keys to Victory for Bulldogs
Slowing down Georgia Tech's triple-option attack is a task. It begins with taking away one of the various things the offense wants to accomplish. There's sweeps, dives and misdirection plays which can all be damaging.
For Mississippi State, the aspect of the Yellow Jackets offense that could be most problematic are the misdirection runs. These are the plays that could have the Bulldogs' athleticism work against them,
Staying disciplined and in the right lanes is key here.
Mississippi State should win most of the battles at the line of scrimmage. Thus the dive will need another aspect of the run game to work before it can be successful. It's a similar situation with the sweep play.
Mississippi State is more athletic at most positions, thus running wide may not prove to be fruitful for the Yellow Jackets. Once Mississippi State has limited the run options, it must force sophomore quarterback Justin Thomas to beat them with his arm.
He's only completed 50.9 percent of his passes this season and thrown for 1,594 yards. He isn't accustomed to making big plays through the air. If the Bulldogs can keep Georgia Tech in 3rd-and-long situations, this game could become an easy one for them.
CFB Nation has an interesting Twitter question that could determine the game.
Keys to Victory for Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech's chances of winning this game begin and end with its ability to force turnovers. If the Yellow Jackets can strip the ball and pick off Prescott passes, they can stay in the game and give their run game a chance to control the clock.
The team is 9-1 this season in games where it has forced at least one turnover. Because of how potent the triple-option has been, getting additional possessions has proven to be key for establishing and protecting leads.
Prediction
When Georgia Tech came up against Florida State, it faced a leader and athlete under center in Jameis Winston who was capable of avoiding big mistakes and making the proper throws to extend drives.
Prescott is a similar presence for the Bulldogs.
He's smart enough to know that if his team doesn't turn the ball over, the talent advantage will ultimately win out, and the Bulldogs will win the Orange Bowl. Defensively, the Bulldogs are one of the most talented teams in the country. It'll be enough to contain the Yellow Jackets' ground game, and Prescott will do the job as a dual threat to spur Mississippi State to victory.
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