THE Mississippi State vs. South Carolina Game Preview
THE game preview returns for SEC action as Mississippi State takes on South Carolina.
Kickoff is set for 6:00 Central at Davis Wade Stadium. It’s going to hot, but if you’re in the comfort of your own home you can tune in via ESPN2.
No need for a stats comparison because it’s Week 2 of the season, so let’s dive in to what we can look for:
1. Can MSU contain freshman WR Bryan Edwards? He caught eight balls vs. Vandy for 101 yards. The Bulldogs secondary gave up 285 yards through the air against South Alabama, so while the Gamecocks don’t have a huge threat at QB, they will still be able to move the ball in the passing game. The question is how much? Will MSU get torched or will they keep it contained in Mullen’s signature bend but don’t break style?
2. Will MSU copy South Carolina’s plan with the QB’s? The Gamecocks are planning to start Perry Orth in order to give them a stable, veteran presence for the beginning of the game, then bring in the freshman Brandon McIlwain in hopes he can make some plays. Could the same hold true for the Bulldogs who may want to start Damian Williams as a calming presence on the field, then let Nick Fitzgerald have a go at it? I suggested doing this very thing on Wednesday.
More from Mississippi State Football
- Meeting the Opponent: Week 4 – South Carolina Gamecocks
- Mississippi State football vs LSU: The good, bad, and ugly
- The Wednesday Wrap: Maybe Mississippi State Football Coach Zach Arnett shouldn’t do it his way
- Mississippi State football history vs. South Carolina: Records, streaks, and more
- Mississippi State football bowl projections after Bulldogs crushed by LSU
3. WILL MULLEN RUN THE DANG BALL? Why won’t Mullen give the ball to his power running backs – Shumpert or Aeries Williams or Lee or somebody and hit the line of scrimmage hard? It seems like our rushing options are Holloway left, Holloway right, Holloway up the middle, or QB draw. Then Shumpert up the middle for three yards and that’s all the carries we get from a power back. Let’s get back to MSU football. If the offensive line is so bad we can’t run, then someone needs to be on the chopping block. South Carolina isn’t nearly as formidable on the D-line as they used to be – let’s run the football!
4. Special teams: this game could be really close. Does anyone really know what to expect? I honestly have no real clue how good State is. I feel like I have a better idea how good South Carolina is, but they seem more motivated now under Muschamp. So this game could be close. And close games can often come down to special teams. State has got to execute here. They did pretty well in Week 1 but there was a partially blocked punt and two missed field goals that resulted in a bad grade for the game. Need to be sound here because the game could come down to it.
5. How bad do you want it, State? C’mon – this is a home game and one you can win. Both teams are rebuilding but the Bulldogs are the favorites. Make it happen. Some of the players have told media that Coach Mullen has been on fire at practice and chewing some butts. I hope so. Let’s get this thing back on track and prove the South Alabama game was not indicative of where this program is right now but just an isolated incident. Get after it, boys.