Auburn (Summer) Game Preview
Sep 14, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) looks to pass the ball during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Outside of the Egg Bowl, Mississippi State’s game with Auburn on October 11th is probably the biggest on the schedule. Not only are the Tigers the defending SEC champs, but many MSU fans believe we can beat them. What’s more, this has become a heated rivalry over the past few years. You better believe it’s a game that’s circled on the Bulldogs calendar.
Related: Auburn Preview | Q & A with War Blogle
AU offense vs. MSU defense
Last year Auburn ran the ball down everyone’s throats…..well, everyone except Mississippi State. They averaged 328 YPG on the ground but only mustered 120 vs. the Dawgs. They did throw the ball, however, for 339 yards which was 166 yards over their season average.
Did Geoff Collins work a magic formula that night or was it too early in the season for Auburn’s running game to really get rolling? They were averaging almost 300 YPG coming in so it’s not like they hadn’t adopted a run first game plan – although those first two games were against Washington State and Arkansas State.
Auburn’s offensive line is expected to be stout despite the loss of Greg Robinson. Will they be able to create the kind of space they did last year without him? I lean towards yes.
The good news is Mississippi State’s defense is athletic as any. Matthew Wells and Beniquez Brown will play huge roles in this game trying to contain AU’s running attack. Without many deficiencies there’s not too much for Gus Malzahn to expose – the key will be staying disciplined and executing. If we do that I think we can hold them in check.
MSU offense vs. Auburn defense
This game last year was Dak’s first SEC start and he went the distance. You could say it was his coming out party. 213 yards passing and 133 rushing.
Auburn returns six starters. They lost Dee Ford and Carl Lawson at DE – those two are excellent players and I’m not so sure they are just going to reload like everyone thinks they will. I feel like MSU’s offensive line, which is an average group, will be able to hold their own.
The Tigers’ defense is pretty good, at least on paper during the summer it is. I kind of expect them to perform the same as MSU’s D will against Auburn. They’ll hold us in check for the most part. We’ll make plays, they’ll make plays.
One difference could be the potential deep threat D’Runnya Wilson provides. I don’t know that Aubie has a corner that can stay with him if Dak can deliver the ball.
Overview
This should be a really good game….but you already knew that. Davis Wade will be rocking and it truly could go either way. Hopefully it won’t come down to a field goal because I’m not sure my heart could take that.