Bulldogs, Tigers set to spar Saturday
Tennessee State not to be overlooked, but no match
STARKVILLE — After the way Mississippi State football opened last week against Auburn, falling behind 28-3 before a thunderous comeback, defensive coordinator Zach Arnett expects something different Saturday.
The Bulldogs are facing Tennessee State, an FCS foe from Nashville, on Saturday (11 a.m., SEC Network+). There’s the danger of looking ahead to next week’s Egg Bowl against Ole Miss on Thanksgiving. But overlooking an opponent can be disastrous and coming out flat can be just as perilous — Mississippi State needed school-record comebacks against Louisiana Tech and Auburn to correct those mistakes.
So, how is Arnett ensuring his players don’t let their attention waver against Tennessee State?
“You turn on the opponent’s film and you see them make plays. And you realize, if you don’t show up prepared to play, everyone’s capable of exposing you and making you look bad,” Arnett said. “I would say after the way we started last game, I would like to believe that we’ve learned our lesson on showing up ready to play a football game.”
The Tigers, who are coached by former All-pro running back Eddie George, could be without two of their best offensive players, with quarterback Geremy Hickbottom and running back Devon Starling game-time decisions. That duo has combined for 1,028 rushing yards alone, and their absence would be a major blow as Tennessee State (5-5) tries to contend with Mississippi State (6-4) at Davis Wade Stadium.
Mississippi State offense vs. Tennessee State defense
Mississippi State’s offense sputtered during its first three drives against Auburn. Then quarterback Will Rogers roared to life, throwing a program-record six touchdown passes to go with his 415 yards. The Bulldogs scored 40 unanswered points to complete the largest comeback in school history.
Tennessee State will struggle to slow
down that offense if it looks anything like it did for the final nine drives, scoring six touchdowns. The Tigers have allowed 77 points combined in their last two losses, most recently allowing Austin Peay to throw for 293 yards — well above the 179.3 yards passing allowed per game.
Tennessee State offense vs. Mississippi State defense
Hickbottom and Starling are the driving forces of Tennessee State’s offense. They both get it done on the ground, but Starling has also gained 303 yards receiving on 33 catches and Hickbottom has thrown for 1,847 yards with 12 touchdowns.
Should Hickbottom not play, quarterbacks Deveon Bryant and Chayhil
Garnett are the likely options. Bryant replaced Hickbottom in the first half against Austin Peay before Garnett replaced Bryant in the second half, although neither moved the ball efficiently, combining for 142 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
After a poor start against Auburn — allowing touchdowns on the first four drives — the Bulldogs regrouped, allowing seven second-half points. They held running back Snoop Conner to just 2.6 yards per carry.
Special teams
The special teams woes — three missed field goals against Arkansas — that prompted coach Mike Leach to call for an open kicking tryout settled down last week. Brandon Ruiz didn’t make
the trip to Auburn due to injury, but Nolan Mccord hit one of his two attempts, and his miss didn’t play into the outcome.
Leach said Monday the Bulldogs had 40 kickers try out for the team.
“When I have done it in the past, you’ll have, over the year, maybe 100 kickers try out,” Leach said. “Of which, you keep maybe four.”
Score prediction
Mississippi State 49, Tennessee State 10: Considering the potential absences for the Tigers on offense, the Bulldogs will have no trouble. The bestcase scenario for Mississippi State would be a large enough blowout to rest the starters, given the short week ahead of the Egg Bowl.