KEY BULLDOG
The entire defensive line
UT-Martin’s offense has been balanced this season, as the Skyhawks have 2,368 rushing yards and 2,183 passing yards through 10 games. But tailback Abou Toure has been UT-Martin’s best weapon, as the 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior has rushed for a team-best 886 yards and eight touchdowns. But leaning on Toure might not be the best idea for the Skyhawks against MSU’s defensive line, a unit that allows just over 123 yards per game on the ground, good for third-best in the Southeastern Conference. Further, MSU’s front seven remains atop the league in sacks (29, tied with Texas A&M and Missouri for most in the SEC) and ranks third in the league in tackles for loss (61) despite playing one less game than any other team in the top five. That ability to make plays bodes well for an MSU defensive line that should have a distinct talent advantage over UT-Martin’s offensive line.
WHAT MUST IMPROVE
Negative plays
MSU’s defense has thrived on creating havoc in opposing backfields, evidenced by the Bulldogs’ high sack totals and frequent tackles for loss. But Arkansas, with bruising tailback Alex Collins and Jonathon Williams along with tight end Hunter Henry, kept the chains moving and negated MSU’s explosive ability up front for much of the night. The Bulldogs sacked Razorbacks’ quarterback Brandon Allen just one, and has a season-low with seven tackles for loss. UT-Martin, without the dominant tailbacks or huge offensive line of Arkansas, will likely struggle to hold up against MSU’s ferocious front seven, opening the door for negative plays to return on Saturday.
STAT TO WATCH
Turnovers
Lost in the three-turnover performance by Mississippi State’s offense in a sluggish 17-10 win over Arkansas is the fact that MSU’s defense has forced just two total turnovers in the last two games, a fumble recovery by linebacker Benardrick McKinney against Kentucky and an interception by cornerback Will Redmond against Arkansas. That followed a two-game stretch against Texas A&M and Auburn that saw MSU force seven turnovers, three against the Aggies and four against the Tigers. And while MSU’s defense allowed just 10 points to Arkansas, the Bulldogs’ defense is at its best when creating negative plays and turnovers, two areas of the game that should be available against UT-Martin, as Skyhawk quarterbacks have thrown 10 interceptions this season.
SURPRISE PLAYER
Jamerson Love
After Mississippi State’s first team defense saw a majority of the snaps against Arkansas, look for the “1A” and “1B” defensive rotations favored by Collins to return this weekend, as plenty of Bulldogs will likely see meaningful snaps against a 5-5 Ohio Valley Conference team. That opens the door for a number of playmakers to emerge, but I expect Aberdeen product Jamerson Love to follow through on his recent play, which has been quietly outstanding. Love, a redshirt senior, was MSU’s best cornerback in coverage against the Razorbacks, notching three pass breakups. With Love getting close on so many passes, don’t be shocked if he breaks through with his first interception of the season this Saturday.
SKYHAWK TO WATCH
Dylan Favre
Statistics say that Toure, who averages 5.8 yards per carry, and starting quarterback Jarod Neal, who has thrown for 1,681 yards and 13 touchdowns, are the most important Skyhawks offensively. But senior quarterback Dylan Favre is by far the most intriguing Skyhawk. Not just because of his 498 passing yards and four scores, but because he was one of Mullen’s biggest targets in the recruiting class of 2010. Signing with MSU after leading St. Stanislaus to a Class 4A state championship in 2009, Favre redshirted in 2010 and played sparingly in 2011 before transferring to Pearl River Community College in the offseason. Now, Favre is in his final season at UT-Martin.
— Brandon Walker
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
