Mississippi State (2-9, 0-7 Southeastern Conference) visits No. 15 Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3) on Friday for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC. Here’s who has the edge at each position between the Bulldogs and the Rebels.

Quarterback

MSU freshman Michael Van Buren bounced back from his worst game of the season against Tennessee with a solid performance against Missouri, though he was responsible for the strip-sack that led to a game-changing touchdown for the Tigers. Jaxson Dart is in his third year as Ole Miss’ starter, and has been a steady presence behind center for the Rebels. He is completing nearly 70% of his passes with four times as many touchdowns as interceptions.

Edge: Ole Miss

Running back

Davon Booth had his best game as a Bulldog last Saturday, rushing for 124 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. He has been MSU’s best offensive player in November, while Johnnie Daniels was not as productive last week on just six carries. Ole Miss starter Henry Parrish has missed the last two games with an injury, and the Rebels are somewhat thin in the backfield without him. Micah Davis and Dart handled the majority of the carries for Ole Miss against Florida.

Edge: Mississippi State

Wide receiver/tight end

The Bulldogs are expected to get freshman Mario Craver back this week aver he missed the Missouri game due to a team-issued suspension. Kevin Coleman is far and away their best receiver, and Kelly Akharaiyi had his first big catch in a while last week. Despite missing three games and being limited in others, Ole Miss’ Tre Harris has more than 1,000 receiving yards on the year, and Cayden Lee, Jordan Watkins and Antwane Wells Jr. aren’t too shabby themselves.

Edge: Ole Miss

Offensive line

MSU averaged 6.7 yards per rush against Missouri, thanks in large part to the offensive line’s continued improvement in run blocking. Pass protection is still an issue, though, and could be exposed against the Rebels’ pass rush. Ole Miss has dealt with its share of injuries up front, but led by Micah Pettus at right tackle, this is still a group that can push people around. The Rebels have the SEC’s top total offense, and that’s thanks as much to the line as the skill position players.

Edge: Ole Miss

Defensive line

The Bulldogs haven’t had much depth here all season and have problems pressuring quarterbacks and getting into the backfield against the run, though Sulaiman Kpaka has been a bright spot. Ole Miss has arguably the best defensive line in the country, with Jared Ivey, Suntarine Perkins, JJ Pegues, Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen all living behind the line of scrimmage. The Rebels are outstanding both in the pass rush and against the run.

Edge: Ole Miss

Linebackers

Stone Blanton continues to play well in the middle for MSU, with 18 more tackles against Missouri, and Zakari Tillman created an explosive play early on with a sack that was nearly a safety. Chris “Pooh” Paul leads Ole Miss in tackles and has 10 tackles for loss, and TJ Dottery has also been a big-time performer. The Rebels use just two starting linebackers in a 4-2-5 base defense.

Edge: Ole Miss

Secondary

The Bulldogs’ Isaac Smith still leads the SEC in tackles, five ahead of Blanton, and will be playing against his parents’ alma mater this week. Outside of him, though, MSU still has trouble covering receivers and wrapping up ball carriers. Ole Miss has two of the conference’s leaders in pass breakups, Trey Amos and Jadon Canady, and John Saunders Jr. also has three interceptions.

Edge: Ole Miss

Special teams

Kyle Ferrie was good on both of his field goal attempts for the Bulldogs last week, while Nick Barr-Mira remains strong at punter and Coleman and Booth are dangerous in the return game if given the chance. Rebels kicker Caden Davis has been impressive this year with a long of 57 yards and is 9-for-11 from 40-plus. Fraser Masin averages 46.4 yards per punt, and Davis is Ole Miss’ primary return man on both punts and kickoffs.

Edge: Even