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What to watch for as Mississippi State football tries to upend Texas A&M

Andrew Miller is watching for these three things today as State hosts A&M.

By Andrew Miller

Sep 21, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Johnnie Daniels (20) reacts with teammates after a touchdown against the Florida Gators during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Johnnie Daniels (20) reacts with teammates after a touchdown against the Florida Gators during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images / Matt Bush-Imagn Images
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Mississippi State football has a huge opportunity at a statement win today with the #14 Texas A&M Aggies coming to Starkville. Here are three things I'll be watching for as the Bulldogs take the field...

Does Michael Van Buren build off his remarkable performance last week?

Michael Van Buren had his coming out party last week at Georgia, throwing for over 300 yards and three TDs in just his second ever start as a true freshman. Now he gets his first home start, and he's going up a talented and disruptive Texas A&M defense that's terrorized QBs this year. Can Van Buren build off that performance in Athens and have another strong showing. If so, it would 1. give the Bulldogs a great chance at a win and 2. further validate the nation that State has something special in Van Buren.

Can the seldom big play become more frequent for the Mississippi State defense?

For as much as the MSU defense has struggled, the one positive you can say for them is that in their last two games, they've made a few key big plays that have been just enough to keep things competitive and give their offense a chance. Now playing at home with the cowbells behind them, can those big plays become more frequent? On the year, Texas A&M has been very good about avoiding negative plays and not turning the ball over. If State is going to have a chance at the upset, they've got to force the Aggies into committing those mistakes several times on Saturday.

Will the Bulldogs thrive off a raucous environment?

A strong crowd is expected today in Starkville. Bulldog fans are buying back in on this team after they fought hard in Athens, and during the game, the legendary 2014 Mississippi State team, led by QB Dak Prescott, will be honored. That's more than enough to inject some life into the fanbase and the Davis Wade Stadium atmosphere. I don't expect a packed house, but it should be a loud environment. This State team hasn't had the benefit of a rocking crowd yet this season. Do we see them achieve a different level of play with the fanbase behind them?

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