Lately, Tennessee State football coach Eddie George has been feeding his players a popular quote.
“I don’t know if you watch Game of Thrones, but winter is coming,” George said. “Winter is coming, and it’s time to get busy.”
The Tigers (5-5, 3-3 Ohio Valley Conference) are just one game away from an offseason during which a lot must get done. George — in his first year coaching football after legendary college and professional careers — said Tuesday he wants to focus on recruiting, shaping his coaching staff and improving team facilities.
But the 2021 campaign isn’t done just yet, and Tennessee State has its biggest challenge of the season looming Saturday.
The Tigers, an FCS team based in Nashville, visit Mississippi State (6-4, 4-3 Southeastern Conference) at 11 a.m. Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium.
“We’re just really excited about this opportunity to play down in Mississippi — Starkville, great atmosphere, great environment,” George said. “The kids are looking forward to playing against an FBS school and certainly SEC.”
Tennessee State is coming off back-to-back losses to UT Martin and Austin Peay after four consecutive wins. The Tigers fell 36-7 to the Governors in their most recent game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
“For the most part, our kids are fighting each and every week,” George said. “They’re giving me the best they can.”
And now they face an FBS team for the first time this season, on the road against a Mississippi State squad that just pulled off the biggest comeback in school history Saturday at Auburn.
The former Ohio State star running back said he’s lost a lot of sleep recently watching the potency of Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense. MSU erased a 28-3 deficit against Auburn en route to a 43-34 win, and George knows the Bulldogs can pile up the points if the Tigers aren’t careful
“The offensive explosion is there, for sure,” George said. “I think we’re trying to put together a viable plan to know where we have to be patient and put drives together and not give up explosive plays. It’s a great test for our defensive staff and certainly for our defense.”
George said Tennessee State must force turnovers, tip passes and pressure quarterback Will Rogers. But that won’t be easy: Rogers is completing 75.7 percent of his passes,which leads the nation, and gets the ball out quickly to facilitate the Bulldogs’ offense.
Mississippi State is last in the nation in rushing attempts per game, but with a passing attack that ranks third in the country, there’s not much reason to depend on the run.
“They don’t do a lot of running with the football, but when you’re that efficient as a quarterback — getting the ball out fast and making completions — it puts a lot of stress on the defense,” George said. “For us, it’s going to be how we tackle in space, how we tackle the receivers, and when they get in the red zone trying to make them kick field goals versus scoring touchdowns.”
Tennessee State is hardly likely to win a shootout in Starkville. The Tigers have scored more than 30 points just once this season and average 20.7 points per game.
Additionally, Grambling State transfer quarterback Geremy Hickbottom has a back injury and is questionable for Saturday’s game. George said the Tigers are preparing several other quarterbacks to start if the senior can’t go.
Overall, George said he’s happy with Tennessee State’s progress on offense in a limited time. He was hired April 13, two days after the Tigers wrapped up a 2-5 spring season with a loss to Southeast Missouri.
“Given the amount of time that we had, how we had to install our offense, I’m rather pleased with where we are,” George said. “Certainly I’d like to see us get off to a faster start — be more efficient in the run game, on third downs, so we can keep the chains moving and keep our defense off the field.”
If Saturday’s game becomes a defensive battle, it could offer an unlikely path to victory for the visitors. Even if not, George hopes his players can head into the offseason and that encroaching winter on a positive note.
“It’s just been a thrill watching them grow week to week, and now we’re going to try to finish up strong down at Mississippi State,” he said.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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