Orange Bowl 2014: Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech TV Info, Spread, Time, More

The triple-option offense of Georgia Tech takes on the hard-nosed defense of Mississippi State in this year's Orange Bowl, and it's anybody's guess as to which team will come out on top.

One would tend to side with the Bulldogs defense given its consistency this season. That said, the Yellow Jackets offense is unlike anything Mississippi State has seen this year. It's one thing to be able to stop the run when it's coming at you from just one person.

The entire Yellow Jackets offense can run, and the team will use a ton of mismatches and clever offensive sets to get the desired results.

Still, that doesn't necessarily guarantee success.

This game has all the makings of a fun one, so be sure to tune in Wednesday evening. Below is all the information you'll need to watch the game and know about what's going on.

When: Dec. 31, 8 p.m. ET

Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Matchup (Spread): Georgia Tech vs. Mississippi State (-7)

Odds: Georgia Tech +105, Mississippi State -115

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Note: Odds courtesy of Odds Shark and updated as of Dec. 29 at 4 p.m. ET.

Team Injury Updates

Team injury reports are courtesy of The Sports Network, via USA Today.

Player	Pos.	Details	Status	Injury
Jabari Hunt-Days	DE	is questionable for the Orange Bowl Wednesday against Mississippi State	Questionable	eligibility
Tony Zenon	RB	is expected to miss the Orange Bowl Wednesday against Mississippi State	Out	knee
DeAndre Smelter	WR	is expected to miss the Orange Bowl Wednesday against Mississippi State	Out	knee
Austin McClellan	RB	is questionable for the Orange Bowl Wednesday against Mississippi State	Questionable	concussion
Nick Menocal	LB	has left the team	Out	personal
Brady Swilling	QB	is questionable for the Orange Bowl Wednesday against Mississippi State	Questionable	hand
Rusty Scott	LB	is questionable for the Orange Bowl Wednesday against Mississippi State	Questionable	ankle
Roderick Tyler	DB	is questionable for the Orange Bowl Wednesday against Mississippi State	Questionable	ankle
Michael Preddy	DL	is questionable for the Orange Bowl Wednesday against Mississippi State	Questionable	foot
Jalen Johnson	S	is questionable for the Orange Bowl Wednesday against Mississippi State	Questionable	neck
Broderick Snoddy	RB	is expected to miss the remainder of the season	Out	leg

Player	Pos.	Details	Status	Injury
Justin Cox	S	is suspended indefinitely	Suspended	disciplinary
Dezmond Harris	LB	will miss the remainder of the season	Out	knee
Shelby Christy	WR	will miss the entire season	Out	knee
Damien Robinson	T	will miss the entire season	Out	knee
Cedric Jiles	CB	is out indefinitely	Out	hamstring

Analysis

Mississippi State knows exactly what's coming to it. Only Air Force rushes the ball more times per game than Georgia Tech's 56. It's really just a matter of figuring out which player is the ball-carrier and what direction he's headed.

That's easier said than done, however. As you can see in the accompanying graphic, the Yellow Jackets produce 333.6 yards of offense per game on the ground. Cumulatively, that's 4,337 yards.

Fourteen players have recorded a carry for the team this season. Twelve of them have at least 100 yards. Nine of them have at least 15 carries. Ten of them have scored touchdowns. The threat comes from everywhere.

When asked about facing this potent attack, Bulldogs linebacker Beniquez Brown spoke about the complexities involved, via Michael Bonner of The Clarion-Ledger: "It's pretty complicated because it's so compact. You really can't see what's coming. You try to spot the small things, which should take you to the ball."

One of the small things this defense needs to spot is the fullback. Identifying the fullback and following him with your eyes should indicate which direction the offense is leaning toward running. It's no guarantee that quarterback Justin Thomas will follow through with that direction, but it's a good start.

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

Speaking of Thomas, he's not just the team's leading rusher (176 carries, 965 yards). He can also capitalize through the air if the defense forgets he doesn't have to run with it every time he touches it.

The sophomore tallied 17 touchdowns with just five interceptions in 175 attempts. If the numbers are consistent, he'll probably have as many carries as he will pass attempts in this one. The Bulldogs just have to recognize what's happening on each play.

Mississippi State runs a mature, intelligent defense, though, so the Bulldogs should fare better against the Yellow Jackets than most.

Having allowed only 126.5 rush yards per game this season, the Bulldogs know how to attack from the box and make tackles. They've developed a reputation of sorts as a defense over the past two seasons, writes Andre C. Fernandez of the Miami Herald:

"

Under [former defensive coordinator Geoff] Collins this season, Mississippi State ranked 10th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 19.4 points per game, and was the stingiest red zone defense in the country (No.1 red zone in scoring and touchdown percentage).

Last season, the Bulldogs ranked in the top five in the Southeastern Conference in total defense, rushing defense, third-down defense, pass defense and interceptions.

"

Collins, of course, left roughly two weeks ago to take the same job at Florida.

Regardless of who is calling the plays, this defense is tough. It knows how to get after the guy with the ball, whether that's the quarterback, the running back or the wide receiver.

Given the uncertainty surrounding an offense most college programs don't run anymore, expect the Bulldogs to struggle identifying the option for the first half. The familiarity with the system will aid them by the third quarter, however.

All Dak Prescott and the offense has to do is keep up with Thomas in the first half before pulling away in the second. He needs to allow his defense the requisite time to adjust and learn.

In the end, Mississippi State will earn a hard-fought victory, even if it means allowing over 200 yards rushing along the way.

Prediction: Mississippi State 33, Georgia Tech 24

Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @kennydejohn