Mississippi State football (5-4, 1-4 SEC) hosts No. 5 Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC) in Starkville on Saturday. If Mississippi State is going to pull of an upset of the Athens-based Bulldogs, they'll need to do these three things...
Mississippi State has to start fast and keep momentum
Georgia has not been a team to get off to great starts this season. They've held a first half lead in just one of their six SEC games played. But dominating the second half is a strength. With the SEC's fourth-best second half scoring offense, they've lost just once in conference. For Mississippi State, they'll need to both take advantage of UGA's tendency to start slow, grabbing momentum early, and then not lose that momentum. They can't do what UGA's other opponents have done and fall apart after halftime.
Blake Shapen needs to be at his best for the Bulldogs
Georgia has an outstanding rushing defense, allowing just 94 rushing yards per game. MSU's chances of finding their ground game on Saturday are low, and that's even more true with right tackle Albert Reese IV out. That means for State's offense to find success, it will need to be through the air, where UGA has been a bit more vulnerable. Blake Shapen will need to take advantage, getting the ball out quickly and hitting his open receivers downfield. He has largely played well over the last two weeks. The MSU QB will need to be outstanding Saturday.
Mississippi State has to win the redzone battle with Georgia
Georgia finds the endzone on 75.8% of their trips to the redzone, the fourth-best mark in the SEC. On the flipside, they own the SEC's second-best redzone defense. They convert long drives into TDs and excel at playing "bend don't break" on defense. That has to flip on Saturday. Georgia will move the ball on MSU. State has to make sure they don't let those drives end in TDs. And when State gets into the redzone, they cannot settle for field goals. They need TDs. If MSU wins the redzone battle, there's a great chance they win.