Mississippi State vs. Texas A&M Game Preview

Nov 9, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive linesman Mike Matthews (56) hikes the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

#12 Mississippi State vs. #6 Texas A&M: Saturday, October 4th in Starkville at 11:00 CST on ESPN. This game has all the makings of a classic, and we’ll set the stage for you right here.

Statistical matchup comparisons…

MSU rushing offense: 271 YPG (15th) vs. A&M rushing defense: 157 YPG (67th)

MSU passing offense: 267 YPG (46th) vs. A&M passing defense: 220 YPG (46th)

A&M rushing offense: 193 YPG (44th) vs. MSU rushing defense: 83 YPG (7th)

A&M passing offense: 401 YPG (5th) vs. MSU passing defense: 319 YPG (124th)

Here’s the matchup of the game – Kenny Hill and the Aggies passing attack against a secondary that is supposed to be good, but has been hung out to dry a few times this year.

It may not be as big of a mismatch as it looks on paper (or computer screen as it were). The Aggies throw a lot of screens and short to intermediate routes. Getting guys in space doesn’t always work against State – this is a game where Matthew Wells and Zach Jackson could play a huge factor. If they can swarm to the ball and limit those plays from turning into 5-10 yard gainers, but TFL and no gainers instead, it will keep A&M behind the chains and potentially in some 3rd and long situations.

We need plenty of this from the Psycho Defense..

BIG PLAYS

I think big plays are going to be a part of this game on both sides. It’s just the nature of A&M’s offense and defense. While MSU’s ideal game plan would be to limit big plays, keep the ball in front of them and be opportunistic on defense (3rd down, red zone, turnovers); and grind the clock on offense with Josh Robinson and Dak Prescott to keep aTm’s offense off the field – big plays will be there and at least in the first half of play, I say we take them.

Texas A&M is 2nd in the country in 20+ yard plays with 36. Mississippi State is 7th with 32. These offenses are going to hit some home runs. And the defenses will likely allow them despite their best efforts. Mark Snyder has been taking a lot of chances and has been rewarded with a lot of sacks and tackles for loss – but they’ve also given up eight plays of 30 or more yards. MSU has given up 10 of them and have virtually the same sacks and TFL stats. With A&M it’s bringing pressure and getting burned, with MSU it’s a solid front seven but getting burned anyway.

FAST START

Texas A&M wants to start fast and break you from your game plan. MSU has opened the game with a touchdown-scoring drive against everyone except South Alabama. A&M did score a TD on their opening possession against Arkansas, but then they cooled off until mid-way through the second quarter. The Hogs forced two 3-and-outs and another drive of just four plays.

Getting ahead, just like State did vs. LSU, is huge….but in this game it would be even bigger. The Aggies also only managed three points on their first two drives vs. SMU so this could be an unlikely theme for a Kevin Sumlin offense. I wouldn’t count on it as a fan, but certainly Geoff Collins’ bunch will have the opportunities to get stops early and get some points on the board to avoid any potential onslaught that often smothers A&M opponents.

4TH QUARTER

We are about to enter Week 6 of the 2014 football season, game five, and Mississippi State hasn’t had to play a 4th quarter yet. In each game so far, the outcome was all but decided leading to opponents having a 26-10 scoring edge on the Bulldogs in the final frame.

By comparison, A&M has outscored their opponents 62-3 in the 4th quarter. They’ve also proven they can come from 14 points back in the closing minutes and win a game.

It’s not over until it’s over – we all know that from the LSU game, of course, but this one is highly unlikely to be a blowout in either team’s favor. It will take a full 60 minutes of relentless effort to win the game. State has not had to do that yet – and only a handful of SEC games in the Dan Mullen era have gone down to the final minute with the game still in doubt. This is something to keep in mind as the final 15 minutes approach on Saturday.

Two Heisman candidates at quarterback, two great offenses averaging well over 500 YPG, and two scoring defenses in the top 20.  This is the kind of matchup you want to see as a college football fan. Luckily for us the Bulldogs are right in the middle of it on SEC West showdown Saturday. It should be a great game. Hail State!