Following a grueling 7-3 win at Arkansas last Saturday, Mississippi State remains on the road this week as the Bulldogs travel to Auburn for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on SEC Network.
The Tigers have lost their last four games and are still in search of their first Southeastern Conference victory, but they have played well at home, pushing No. 1 Georgia and No. 13 Ole Miss to their limits before falling to each by seven points.
What: Mississippi State at Auburn
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala.
TV: SEC Network
Betting line: Auburn by 6.5
Weather: Mostly sunny skies with a high of 79 degrees and winds out of the southeast at 5 miles per hour, per AccuWeather
Records/rankings: MSU is 4-3 and 1-3 in SEC play. The Tigers are 3-4 and 0-4 in the SEC. Neither team is ranked or receiving votes in the AP Top 25 or the AFCA Coaches Poll.
Series history: Auburn leads 65-29 with two ties, but the Bulldogs have won the last two meetings in dramatic fashion, overcoming an early 25-point deficit in 2021 and outlasting the Tigers in overtime last year. The teams have played each other every year since 1955.
Mississippi State update: The Bulldogs notched their first conference win last week behind an unrelenting defense and an offense that did just enough. Senior Mike Wright made his first start of the season at quarterback and was solid, overcoming an early interception and completing eight of 12 passes while rushing 11 times for 60 yards. Linebacker Nathaniel “Bookie” Watson racked up 14 tackles and two sacks, winning multiple weekly awards for his performance.
Will Rogers’ status for Saturday remains uncertain, but MSU did get a number of key players back, including wide receiver Justin Robinson and defensive lineman De’Monte Russell. Lead running back Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks played through a leg injury against Arkansas, and Russell’s younger brother, redshirt freshman linebacker Donterry Russell, was helped off the field in the third quarter.
Auburn update: The Tigers never led last week against Ole Miss, but they were tied at halftime and the defense played well before wearing down late. Auburn ran the ball 39 times to just 17 pass attempts — lead back Jarquez Hunter enjoyed a solid game with 91 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
Neither of the Tigers’ quarterbacks, Payton Thorne and Robby Ashford, have been particularly effective throwing the ball, but both are capable of making plays with their legs. Auburn regularly uses formations with three and even four tight ends, perhaps due to a lack of depth at wide receiver or perhaps just to have more blockers in the running game. The Tigers’ leading receiver, Jay Fair, had just one catch for nine yards against the Rebels.
Auburn players to watch: QB Payton Thorne, RB Jarquez Hunter, TE Rivaldo Fairweather, LB Eugene Asante, S Jaylin Simpson.
Prediction: This is the toughest game to pick so far. MSU’s offense will likely be more comfortable with Wright at the controls now that he has a full game under his belt, so it will be up to the Bulldogs’ defense to slow down Auburn’s multifaceted rushing attack. Let’s say Mississippi State 20, Auburn 17.
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