Mississippi State (4-3, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) visits Auburn (3-4, 0-4) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Here’s who has the edge at each position between the Bulldogs and the Tigers.
Quarterback
Mike Wright was solid but not spectacular in his first start for MSU last week in place of the injured Will Rogers. The two bring vastly different skill sets, with Wright possessing far more mobility but less arm strength and accuracy. Auburn also uses two quarterbacks, with Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne the primary passer, but he has thrown as many interceptions (five) as touchdowns and is averaging 6.5 yards per pass attempt. Both Thorne and Robby Ashford are threats with their legs.
Edge: Mississippi State
Running back
The Bulldogs’ Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks again played through injuries a week ago at Arkansas but struggled in the second half. MSU’s offense is so much more effective with Marks at full strength, and that was on display last Saturday as Jeffery Pittman and Seth Davis were used sparingly, and Simeon Price and Keyvone Lee weren’t used at all. The Tigers have four capable running backs, led by Jarquez Hunter, who rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns while adding 54 receiving yards last week against Ole Miss.
Edge: Auburn
Wide receiver/tight end
If this was merely a receiver comparison, the Bulldogs would have a decisive advantage; if we were just comparing tight ends, Auburn would have a big edge. Justin Robinson had perhaps the play of the game for MSU last week, but the Bulldogs need to get the ball to Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin for their offense to operate at full throttle. The Tigers’ leading receiver, Jay Fair, had just one catch for nine yards a week ago, though their depth at tight end, led by Rivaldo Fairweather, is as good as anyone’s in the conference — particularly when it comes to run blocking.
Edge: Even
Offensive line
Neither team shines here, but MSU certainly has the advantage in experience. That said, penalties were an issue against Arkansas as the Bulldogs were called for three pre-snap infractions on one series up against their own goal line in the fourth quarter. Auburn’s line was an issue last year and brought in three key transfers, but one of them, center Avery Jones, is unlikely to play Saturday. The Tigers have allowed 20 sacks and 50 tackles for loss through seven games.
Edge: Mississippi State
Defensive line
MSU benefitted from the bye week here more than anywhere else, with De’Monte Russell returning from injury and Jaden Crumedy back to full strength to complement Nathan Pickering and Deonte Anderson. Marcus Harris leads Auburn with four sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss as well as a forced fumble, but he has had to pull a lot of weight for the Tigers up front.
Edge: Even
Linebackers
Jett Johnson and Nathaniel “Bookie” Watson are the heartbeat of the Bulldogs’ defense, and Watson stole the show in the Arkansas game with 14 tackles and two sacks en route to SEC and national weekly honors. DeShawn Page also came up big with a fumble recovery, though Donterry Russell left the game in the third quarter and his status for Saturday is uncertain. Eugene Asante is Auburn’s leading tackler and also has 3.5 sacks, and Larry Nixon III is his partner in crime.
Edge: Mississippi State
Secondary
MSU’s much-maligned defensive backfield came up with some big plays a week ago — another Shawn Preston Jr. interception and sacks by Decamerion Richardson and Corey Ellington. It’s a group that has made improvements from early in the season but is still a work in progress. The Tigers lead the SEC with 13 forced turnovers including nine interceptions, and four of those belong to cornerback-turned-safety Jaylin Simpson. D.J. James and Donovan Kaufman have also been strong for Auburn in the back end.
Edge: Auburn
Special teams
What was a major strength for the Bulldogs early on has subsided a bit. Kyle Ferrie missed his lone field goal attempt last week, a 29-yarder, and Keelan Crimmins left a number of punts short. Griffin and Zavion Thomas remain dynamic as returners, and it feels like a matter of time before one of them breaks a big one. The Tigers have two excellent specialists in kicker Alex McPherson (6-for-6 on field goals, long of 53) and punter Oscar Chapman (boomed a 71-yarder against Georgia) and also enjoy the services of Keionte Scott and Brian Battie on returns.
Edge: Auburn
Starters
Mississippi State
Offense
QB 2 Will Rogers Sr. OR 14 Mike Wright Sr.
RB 7 Jo’Quavious Marks Sr.
WR 3 Justin Robinson R-Jr. OR 19 Freddie Roberson R-Sr.
WR 5 Lideatrick Griffin Sr.
WR 1 Zavion Thomas So.
TE 88 Ryland Goede Gr. OR 98 Malik Ellis Fr.
LT 69 Kwatrivous Johnson Gr.
LG 66 Nick Jones Sr.
C 57 Cole Smith Gr.
RG 64 Steven Losoya III R-Sr.
RT 58 Kameron Jones Gr.
Defense
DE 91 Deonte Anderson So.
NG 22 Nathan Pickering Sr.
DT 94 Jaden Crumedy Gr.
SLB 36 Donterry Russell R-Fr.
MLB 14 Nathaniel Watson Gr.
WLB 44 Jett Johnson Gr.
CB 3 Decamerion Richardson Sr.
S 7 Shawn Preston Gr.
S 10 Corey Ellington Jr.
S 1 Marcus Banks Sr.
CB 4 DeCarlos Nicholson Sr.
Special teams
K 80 Kyle Ferrie Fr.
P 83 Keelan Crimmins Fr.
Auburn
Offense
QB 1 Payton Thorne Jr.
RB 27 Jarquez Hunter Jr.
WR 14 Jyaire Shorter Sr. OR 19 Omari Kelly So.
WR 5 Jay Fair So. OR 6 Ja’Varrius Johnson Sr.
WR 3 Shane Hooks Sr.
TE 13 Rivaldo Fairweather Jr. OR 86 Luke Deal Jr.
LT 52 Dillon Wade Jr.
LG 53 Gunner Britton Sr.
C 75 Connor Lew Fr.
RG 62 Kam Stutts Sr.
RT 72 Izavion Miller Jr.
Defense
DE 15 Keldric Faulk Fr.
NT 52 Justin Rogers Jr.
DT 50 Marcus Harris Sr.
OLB 35 Jalen McLeod Jr.
MLB 6 Austin Keys Jr. OR 30 Larry Nixon III Sr.
OLB 9 Eugene Asante Jr.
CB 4 D.J. James Sr.
CB 0 Keionte Scott Jr.
S 36 Jaylin Simpson Sr.
S 10 Zion Puckett Sr.
CB 1 Nehemiah Pritchett Sr.
Special teams
K 38 Alex McPherson R-Fr.
P 91 Oscar Chapman Sr.
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