Mississippi State football is back at home on Saturday for a visit from Alcorn State. It’s another nonconference matchup, and one the Bulldogs are very likely to win comfortably, but it’s also an opportunity for head coach Jeff Lebby and staff to work through the playbook and test personnel who might not otherwise get on the field this season.
With injuries in key areas, it’s also a good time to get live game reps for players who will have to step up into key roles over the rest of the season.
What: Mississippi State vs. Alcorn State
When: 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13
Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville
TV: ESPNU
Betting line: No odds yet
Weather: High of 94. Hot and sunny, high UV index and little cloud cover, per accuweather.
Records/rankings: The Bulldogs are 2-0 and remain unranked despite receiving votes in the latest AP Poll.
Alcorn State is 0-2 and unranked in the FCS top 25.
Series history: The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 2-0, with the last result a 51-7 win in 2013 at Davis Wade Stadium. The only other meeting was a 49-16 home win for MSU in 2010.
Mississippi State update: Lebby delivered the news Monday that offensive lineman Blake Steen and defensive end Will Whitson are both down with season-ending injuries, a big blow to both units. Steen entered the season as the starting right tackle and Whitson led the team with two sacks in two games before limping off the field against Arizona State.
The Bulldogs can certainly make do against Alcorn, but the goal for the coaching staff now is to identify which of the players in the rotation behind Whitson can generate pressure at a similar rate as the Coastal Carolina transfer.
Alcorn update: Alcorn State is coming into this one after two straight losses. A visit to Alabama A&M saw the offense find a new gear, but defensively, the Braves were down and out early. A&M racked up 452 yards of total offense in a pretty balanced pass-rush approach and scored three touchdowns in the first quarter alone.
The Braves offense has the ability to get chunk plays, and they were able to hang around at A&M, but the MSU defense is a much bigger test for the group.
Alcorn players to watch: QB Jaylon Tolbert, RB Jacorian Sewell, WR Jarvis Rush, LB Stemarion Edwards, DB Markel McLaurin
Prediction: This isn’t a situation where the Bulldogs want to switch off at all, especially in their bid to continue proving themselves after a win last week, but it’s hard to see them struggling in this one. The Bulldogs fire on all cylinders on offense and get some playing time for the second and third stringers as well.
Mississippi State 56, Alcorn State 14
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