Mississippi State Football: Battle of the SEC Bulldogs Prediction

Mississippi State Football: Battle of the Bulldogs Prediction

Mississippi State (2-4) and #13 Georgia (4-2) have not played each other since 2017. The Mississippi State football program has been in flux since that defeat.

Dan Mullen was the coach in 2017, and Mississippi State has changed coaches twice. Georgia has had the same coach since 2016 in Kirby Smart. Having stability at the coaching position is essential to building and sustaining a program.

Covid-19 has not been kind to the SEC Football season, and the Maroon ainBulldogs’  strength has been impacted with opt-outs. The transfer portal has also impacted Mississippi State, leading to a lot of young Maroon Bulldogs playing earlier than Mike Leach would like. To my knowledge, the only player to opt-opt for Georgia is QB Jamie Newman.

Even with all of the issues facing Mississippi State, the Maroon Bulldogs will play a football game today. On paper, It doesn’t look good for Mississippi State, but upsets can happen. Mississippi State needs to have a solid effort today with the Egg Bowl next week.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Georgia

The task today will be a tough one for Mississippi State. Georgia is a very talented team, but they are not without their weaknesses. Georgia has dealt with their own quarterback problems. JT Daniels will get his first game action since an injury at Fresno State in 2019.

He will be the third quarterback to take snaps for Smart this season. Daniels was rated a 5-Star prospect by 247 out of high school and started for USC as a true freshman. If Mississippi State can pressure Daniels and not let him find his rhythm, that is just one problem solved.

Georgia also has a stable of talented running backs the depleted Mississippi State Bulldog defense will have to stop. As I said earlier, the task today will be a tough one. I expect Erroll Thompson and possibly another Mississippi State defender to have double-digit tackles today.

The strength of this Georgia team is its defense. Georgia is ranked #2 in the SEC in defense. Georgia has a linebacker that Mississippi State fans will recognize in Nakobe Dean.

Dean has helped Georgia have the #1 rush defense in the SEC. Due to the fact Mississippi State is primarily a passing team, that strength is nullified.

The Georgia defense is susceptible to the pass. I am 100% sure the Mississippi State offense will receive a heavy dose of AirRaid Kryptonite, the rush three and drop eight defensive strategy that every opponent has utilized except LSU.

Whether it’s KJ Costello or Will Rogers at quarterback today, Mississippi State will have to be smart throwing the football. I expect Malik Heath and Jo’Quavious Marks to have solid performances today.

Mississippi State Surprises Georgia By

I do not expect Mike Leach to change his offensive philosophy much today. I expect him to throw the ball all day long to try and wear down the Georgia secondary. If I could have one wish, it would be for him to attempt to surprise Georgia with running the ball at some point.

I know Georgia has the best rush defense in the SEC, but you have to keep an opposing defense honest. Running the ball more today would totally surprise Georgia because we all know they are not expecting Mississippi State to run the football.

Prediction

I want to be optimistic. I want to be a Mississippi State Bulldog homer and say that Mississippi State will defeat Georgia between the hedges for the first time since 1956. Unfortunately, I do not think this game will be a close one.

With all of the transfers and opt-outs impacting the roster and the stronger opponent not being impacted by the latter is too much for Mississippi State to overcome. I do expect Mississippi State to fight hard like a Mississippi State team fights.