On Saturday, the Mississippi State football team will have its first road test of the 2021 season.
The Bulldogs will travel to Memphis in a battle of 2-0 teams, facing the Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium — where no cowbells are allowed.
Evan Barnes, who covers Memphis football — as well as the Memphis Grizzlies — for The Commercial Appeal, answered a few questions via email about Saturday’s nonconference matchup in the Bluff Season.
Barnes is in his fourth season covering the Tigers.
Two games into the season, Memphis is 2-0. What are your thoughts on the Tigers so far?
Barnes: So far, Memphis has exceeded some expectations. There were questions with freshman QB Seth Henigan and freshman RB Brandon Thomas in the offense, but both have produced better than hoped. Henigan is poised, confident and accurate, and Thomas is off to a fast start as the nation’s leading rusher. The offense looks explosive again, and it’s a good sign heading into Saturday. The worries, however, are on defense. A veteran group has looked sharp at times and scary at others, especially against Arkansas State last week. Time will tell if the defense can shake out or if this will be a Memphis team that has to outscore opponents to stay ahead.
Memphis gave up 50 points to Arkansas State over the weekend. How equipped are the Tigers to handle Mississippi State’s Air Raid offense on Saturday?
Barnes: We’ll find out. The biggest worry from Saturday is when the Red Wolves tried to pass their way back into the game, they did. That’s not a good sign preparing for a team that’ll pass first, second and third. Memphis kept Arkansas State’s first quarterback in check for 2½ quarters and when Arkansas State switched quarterbacks down 18 in the third quarter, that’s when the game got close. Memphis also played more soft coverage which helped the Red Wolves out but still, there’s reason fans should worry on how they’ll limit a pass-happy team.
Memphis’ passing defense wasn’t great last season, and the Tigers could be in for a long day Saturday if they struggle with missed tackles and giving up big plays.
Mississippi State has two really good cornerbacks in Emmanuel Forbes and Martin Emerson. Do you think they can limit a playmaker like Calvin Austin III on Saturday?
Barnes: I don’t know, but it should be a fun matchup. Calvin Austin said this week he’s looking forward to testing himself against NFL-caliber defensive backs. Austin has found ways to score in more ways than just using his track speed. He’s a better route runner, and he can make tough catches in traffic. But if Austin wants to impress NFL draft scouts, he’ll need to have a productive game against two lanky, physical defensive backs. If Austin gets daylight ahead of him, good luck tracking him down.
If you are comfortable making one, what is your prediction for how things play out?
Barnes: I see Memphis putting up a great fight. The Tigers won’t back down because several veterans were around two years ago when the Tigers beat Ole Miss and they’ll motivate the team all week. But this will come down to the defense not looking as shaky as it did last week. I don’t know if they can stay sharp for four quarters, and one or two mistakes could be the difference. The last thing Memphis wants is to put all the pressure on Seth Henigan and this offense to bail out the defense when they might struggle scoring. If Memphis’ secondary can tighten things up, then this game will be close deep into the fourth quarter. But if not, then Mississippi State should have no trouble holding on.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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