Mississippi State vs. South Alabama Preview
Sept 22, 2012; Starkville, MS, USA; South Alabama Jaguars running back Demetre Baker (33) advances the ball for extra yardage during the game against the South Alabama Jaguars at Davis Wade Stadium. The Mississippi State Bulldogs won Jaguars 30-10. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
The Bulldogs are headed down to Mobile to play South Alabama. Game time is set for 3:00 and it will be televised by ESPNews. MSU is a 13 point favorite.
Related: Week 3 Injury Report | 2012 game vs. South Alabama
USA’s program began in 2009, and this will be their first ever sellout (Ladd-Peebles Stadium, capacity 40,000). It is also the first time they’ve ever hosted a power five conference school, much less a SEC program. They will not allow cowbells at the stadium. The field is synthetic turf.
- If your going to the game, here is the game day info South Alabama has provided.
- Here is our summer preview of the Jaguars.
South Alabama is 1-0. In their first game of the year they beat Kent State 23-13. They did not play on Labor Day weekend.
On offense, USA returns nine starters from last year. Quarterback Brandon Bridge is one of the two new starters along with Center Joseph Scelfo. Bridge was 15 of 25 for 161 yards and one TD vs. Kent State. The Jaguars were 50th in the nation last year with 425 YPG. Look out for WR Shavarez Smith who had 940 yards receiving last year.
South Alabama ranked 51st in total defense last year with 384 YPG surrendered. They return six starters from that side of the ball, however, it is commonly held that this is their greatest strength. Look out for LB Maleki Harris who had 2.5 sacks, 6 TFL, 7 pass break-ups, 3 QB hurries and an INT last year.
USA was 6-6 in 2013 under coach Joey Jones….he is the only coach the Jaguars have ever known. It was their second season as a member of the Sun Belt, playing in FBS full time – they beat Tulane, Western Kentucky, ULM and ULL, plus they only lost by a touchdown to Tennessee. In 2012, USA went 2-11. This is a program that continues to improve. Most preseason prognostications had USA finishing 2nd or 3rd in the 11-team Sun Belt Conference.
Trap game? Absolutely. But will MSU be vulnerable to a trap after only beating UAB by 13 points and trailing late in the 2nd quarter?
This game may be tight – perhaps right down to the wire. The Bulldogs will be walking into a hostile environment against a motivated team and fanbase who really want to knock them off. State will have to stay focused and play tough or they will find themselves in a fight.
How will Mullen handle the quarterbacks? It seems like an easy solution, but he suggested on Wednesday that he would continue the rotation.
Ultimately, this game will provide a quality test for MSU. A game away from the friendly confines, against a decent team. With LSU looming as the first SEC opponent, the Dawgs need a test like this. Hopefully they will pass the test and come away with a victory. Hail State.