Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State: The 7 Best Matchups of the Music City Bowl

Wake Forest and Mississippi State didn't exactly have memorable campaigns in 2011, as both teams stumbled to 6-6 records, but the Demon Deacons and the Bulldogs will have the opportunity to salvage their seasons in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30. 

On paper, this looks to be one of the more even matchups of the bowl season, but there are certain areas where each team has specific strengths and weaknesses. 

Here's a look at which team holds an advantage at the key positions. 

QB: Chris Relf vs. Tanner Price

One of the most interesting storylines to follow in the Music City Bowl will be the play of quarterback Chris Relf, who will be filling in for a banged-up Tyler Russell, the quarterback who took his job midway through the season. 

Relf showed a lot of promise as a junior in 2010, but he failed to live up to his potential early on this season, and Mullen ended up ultimately yanking him in favor of Russell. 

Now, with Russell battling an injury, Relf will have one last shot to finish off his disappointing college career in positive fashion. 

Wake Forest's Tanner Price won't be an easy quarterback foe to deal with though, as Price threw for 2,803 yards and hit 20 touchdown strikes this season. 

Price may be the more talented overall quarterback, but something tells me that Relf will be motivated to finish off his career the right way and pick up one last win.

Edge: Chris Relf 

RB: Vick Ballard vs. Brandon Pendergrass

Alabama's Trent Richardson hogged most of the attention in the SEC this year, but he wasn't the only back in the conference who made an impact this season. Mississippi State's Vick Ballard, a former JUCO transfer, was once again the key weapon for Dan Mullen's offense in 2011, as he broke the 1,000-yard rushing mark and scored nine touchdowns. 

The 5'11'', 220-pound senior isn't the flashiest back around, and he doesn't come up with many highlight reel-worthy runs, but what Ballard does do is use his big, strong frame to physically wear down a defense for four quarters. 

Wake Forest's Brandon Pendergrass may not be the same caliber of back as Ballard, but he's no slouch.

Pendergrass rushed for 750 yards and scored nine total touchdowns on just 164 carries this season. 

Edge: Vick Ballard

WR: Chris Givens vs. Chris Smith

There's no question about who the top receiver will be in the Music City Bowl. 

Wake Forest's Chris Givens was one of the most underrated receivers in the country this season, as Givens really opened a lot of peoples' eyes by hauling in 74 passes for 1,276 yards and scoring nine touchdowns. 

If the 6'0'', 195-pound junior has a big day against the Bulldogs secondary, it will definitely boost his already escalating pro stock, and he might even think about making the jump to the NFL a year early.

Edge: Chris Givens

DL: Fletcher Cox vs. Nikita Whitlock

The top NFL draft prospect to watch in the Music City Bowl will be Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox, one of the best junior defensive line prospects in the country. 

This year, Cox really established himself as an intimidating interior force in the middle of the Bulldogs defense, as he racked up 12.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. 

The 6'4'', 295-pound junior has really caught the eyes of pro scouts this year and if he puts up a big performance down in Nashville, he'll probably sail off into NFL waters. 

Wake Forest's Nikita Whitlock may not have the same type of pro potential as Cox, but Whitlock is certainly an impact player in his own right.

Whitlock notched 12.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in 2011.  

Edge: Fletcher Cox

LB: Cameron Lawrence vs. Kyle Wilber

Mississippi State lost its two leading tacklers from 2010, linebackers Chris White and K.J. Wright, but the Bulldogs were lucky that Cameron Lawrence stepped up and did most of the heavy lifting in the wake of their departure this season. 

Lawrence led the team with 114 total tackles, picked off two passes and notched two sacks in 2011. 

The 6'2'', 230-pound junior is extremely active, and he always seems to have a nose for the ball. 

Another player that knows how to track down ball-carriers is Wake Forest's Kyle Wilber. 

Wilber is the type of edge-rusher who can really put pressure on opposing offensive tackles, and he did that throughout this year, as the 6'5'', 240-pound senior racked up 3.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. 

Edge: Cameron Lawrence

DB: Jonathan Banks vs. Josh Bush

Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox isn't the only player on the Mississippi State defense who impressed NFL scouts this season. Cornerback Jonathan Banks also boosted his pro stock in a big way in 2011. 

Banks is only just a junior, but he's already put himself on the NFL radar with his consistency throughout 2011. 

It will be interesting to see how the 6'2'', 185-pound corner fares against Wake Forest's star receiver Chris Givens. 

Another defensive back to watch in the Music City Bowl is Wake Forest safety Josh Bush. 

Bush earned All-American honors this year for his stellar 2011 campaign. The 5'11'', 205-pound senior picked off six passes and racked up 56 total tackles this season. 

Edge: Jonathan Banks

K: Jimmy Newman vs. Derek DePasquale

In a game like this, special teams could definitely play a big factor, and the Demon Deacons have a clear-cut advantage in the field-goal kicking department. 

Wake Forest kicker Jimmy Newman was one of the most accurate kickers in the country in 2011, as he knocked through 16 of his 20 attempts and nailed all but two of his extra-point tries.

Edge: Jimmy Newman