Mississippi State getting ready for two matchups
STARKVILLE — Coaching Mississippi State football comes with a few guarantees.
A coach knows cowbells will be ringing at home games. They know bowl eligibility is an expectation. They know beating Ole Miss is a priority, and that means doing so on a short week.
“It’s the normal routine here — that span,” defensive coordinator Zach Arnett said Wednesday. “You know about that. You’re prepared for it.”
The Egg Bowl isn’t the first obligation this week. MSU’S coaches and players will say East Tennessee State has their attention ahead of the game Saturday (11 a.m., SEC Network+/espn+), but Mike Leach admitted Monday parts of this week must be dedicated to preparing for No. 14 Ole Miss. In some ways, the entire season has been a cumulation of preparing for Thanksgiving in Oxford.
“With regard to the other teams you play, you end up watching Ole Miss quite a bit anyway as far as who they play in common,” Leach said. “And not just them. Heck, you could stick — other than a team or two from the (SEC) East — any of them at the end and you’ve watched a lot of film of them.”
As much as Mississippi State needs its full attention come game time Saturday against ETSU, the FCS foe will serve more as a get-right opportunity ahead of the game that matters most.
Mississippi State’s offense: Run the ball
The Air Raid’s best success this season came when effectively running the ball. During its 5-1 start, Mississippi State ran the ball 25.2 times per game. The number has dipped to 17.3 in the last four games in which MSU is 1-3.
Teams have stopped dropping eight against the Bulldogs. Opponents have instead started to load the box and bring pressure.
The loaded boxes have clearly pushed Mississippi State away from attempting to establish the run.
MSU should have success offensively regardless of how it attacks ETSU’S defense. If Saturday is about Mississippi State working out its kinks, purposely running against a loaded box and finding ways to succeed could prove crucial for the Egg Bowl.
Mississippi State’s defense: Bring the pressure
MSU’S secondary has been hit or miss. Players such as corner Emmanuel Forbes or safeties Collin Duncan and Shawn Preston Jr. have come up with pivotal plays throughout the season.
However, it seems as though every interception is met by an explosive play allowed. Leach wants his defense to find a middle ground.
“We do a good job running to the ball, do a good job of getting turnovers and they’ve been affecting the quarterback some recently,” Leach said.
“But then they just leave stuff blatantly there. There’s just a little too much space.”
Not all the blame goes on the secondary. MSU is in the bottom half of the SEC in tackles for loss at sacks. Plenty of the big plays allowed are a result of time quarterbacks have in the pocket.
Special teams: What happened to the punting?
In late September, MSU’S punting was considered an X-factor. Three of Archer Trafford’s first six punts pinned teams inside the 20. George Georgopoulos had three punts fall inside the 20 on five attempts.
Since then, the numbers have dipped. Mississippi State’s average punt distance (40.17) ranks 12th in the SEC.
The Bulldogs shouldn’t have to punt much against ETSU, but when they do, the results must be better.
Prediction
Mississippi State 56, ETSU 7: Mississippi State has a lot to fix before the Egg Bowl and should take a step in the right direction Saturday. MSU must boost its confidence heading into the finale, meaning Leach won’t hold back against a weaker opponent. The margin could be even wider, but Leach will likely remove starters early due to the short week ahead.
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.