Vanderbilt has challenging opponent in Mississippi St.
STARKVILLE — In the immediate aftermath of Mississippi State football’s loss to Alabama last week, coach Mike Leach lamented on the issues that cropped up without warning.
There was miscommunication on both sides of the ball, with wide receivers “inventing” routes that left quarterback Will Rogers and his targets befuddled. The defense had key breakdowns in key moments, allowing underneath passes to go for big gains because of a missed assignment or tackle. And the Bulldogs put Alabama on a pedestal, the coach said.
When facing the Crimson Tide, those mistakes will lead to a 49-9 score line. Safety Collin Duncan said a missed read against most teams might lead to a 10-yard gain; against Alabama, those become touchdowns.
The Bulldogs (3-3, 1-2 SEC) might have more room for error Saturday (3 p.m., SEC Network) against Vanderbilt (2-5, 0-3) in Nashville. But just as Mississippi State overthought Alabama, underestimating the Commodores could be just as costly.
“They’re a team that’s grown,” Duncan said. “They’re a team that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Those guys play hard every snap. They got some guys who can make some plays. And they’re gonna fight for 60 minutes, so we’ve gotta go out there like it’s our last.”
Vanderbilt hasn’t won an SEC game since 2019. Mississippi State will look to keep that losing streak rolling.
Mississippi State offense vs. Vanderbilt defense
Only 10 teams in the country have a coverage grade worse than Vanderbilt, according to Pro Football Focus. The Commodores allow 261.1 passing yards per game — ranking 105th in FBS — and Mississippi State knows all about passing.
Rogers suffered a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder against Alabama, a result of getting sacked seven times. But he’s expected to play against Vanderbilt, a boost for the Bulldogs’ offense. His three interceptions against the Crimson Tide was an anomaly this year, but even with that display, he’s thrown the most yards of any quarterback in the SEC.
The offensive line should have an easier time giving Rogers time to
survey the field; Vanderbilt has managed just four sacks. And while miscommunications beleaguered the Bulldogs against Alabama, wide receiver Austin Williams doesn’t expect those to appear again.
“It’s a small thing that we inflicted on ourselves,” Williams said. “That’s a really easy fix. That’s not just getting locked up or bad routes. It’s just communication.”
Vanderbilt offense vs. Mississippi State defense
When asked what stood out to him most when he watched film from the Alabama game, defensive coordinator Zach Arnett turned the spotlight on himself.
“The biggest thing that needed to be addressed is the defensive play calling,” Arnett said. “I made some play calls that put them in some really bad positions against some really good plays. And give the coaching staff of Alabama credit, they had a really good game plan and they maximized their personnel and got them in good situations. And I did not. And that’s my fault.”
Some of those calls were blitzes that Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young avoided, throwing for 204 yards and three touchdowns against pressure, per PFF.
The Bulldogs shouldn’t have as much trouble with Vanderbilt. Duncan said the defense is motivated to bounce
back against the Commodores, who will start backup quarterback Mike Wright due to an injury to starter Ken Seals.
But Wright is “the most athletic, runner we’ve faced at the quarterback position this year,” Arnett said, adding a new variable to Vanderbilt’s offense, which averages 310.9 yards per game — tied for 118th in the country.
Special teams
Mississippi State’s special teams unit received a large boost when kicker Brandon Ruiz returned from injury, converting three field goals against Alabama — the only points the Bulldogs scored. Ruiz had been absent since Sept. 11. Without him, Nolan Mccord held field goal duties, and he missed three kicks combined against LSU and Texas A&M.
Vanderbilt kicker Joseph Bulovas has been spotty, making 8 of 13 attempts with his longest coming from 53 yards. But he missed three kicks — 33, 39 and 41 yards — against Florida on Oct. 9.
Prediction
Mississippi State 31, Vanderbilt 17: After the way last weekend went against Alabama, Mississippi State is geared up for a response. The Bulldogs will get one, taking advantage of a soft pass defense and an offense that has struggled against most teams.