Once again, thanks to the super sim feature, EA predicted the outcome of a Mississippi State football game. This week, the game has Mississippi State defeating Toledo 41-23.
EA Sports College Football 25 predicts up and down game for the Bulldogs
Toledo held a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but State stormed back to take a 14-6 lead into halftime. Early in the third quarter, Toldeo made a field goal to cut the lead to 14-9, but then State's offense exploded for two touchdowns. Davon Booth scored a one-yard touchdown, and then Kyle Ferrie made a 45-yard field goal to give State a 24-9 lead entering the fourth. The fourth quarter gave us an offensive explosion. Trent Hudson caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Blake Shapen. Ferrie made his second field goal of the game to give State a 34-9 lead. Toledo responded with two quick touchdowns as Tucker Gleason completed passes of 38 and 75 yards for scores. Kelly Akharaiyi put the game away as he scored on a 32-yard rushing touchdown.
Here are some takeaways from CFB 25's simulation...
Blake Shapen struggles in the Sim
In this sim, Shapen struggled significantly completing only 6 passes on 13 attempts for 154 yards. However, he did make the most of his completions as he threw two touchdowns with zero interceptions. One of his touchdowns was a massive play as he found Kelly Akharaiyi for a 91-yard touchdown. While his passing game struggled, he did find success in the run game. Shapen rushed for 51-yards on five attempts. If he is able to run the ball this successfully in real life, State will have another element in their offense.
The run game was successful
Despite what has transpired in the first two weeks, the run game in the simulation was successful. It remains to be seen if this happens in real life, but it is an important key for Mississippi State. The team rushed for 186 yards on 37 attempts with three touchdowns. Davon Booth lead the way with 85 yards and two touchdowns, and Akharaiyi rushed for 36 yards, presumably on jet sweeps, on three attempts.
The defense struggles to get tackles for loss
The defense only recorded one tackle for loss, but Ty Cooper and Kalvin Dinkins each recorded a sack. Even with the lack of pressure from the defense, they were able to hold their own. In the simulation, the Rockets were able to drive the ball, but State's defense held them to field goals. This is a typical bend but don't break defense which has proven to be successful for the Bulldogs in the past. They did allow 141 yards rushing, but Toledo ran the ball 34 times. If this holds true, it would be a vast improvement, and a good sign for the future for the defense.