Auburn can’t afford another SEC loss if it wants to play for a conference title.
Auburn has one SEC loss. Another will drop them from any realistic contention from an SEC West title — a fate with which Mississippi State is already familiar.
The Bulldogs sputtered to a 13-6 loss to Florida last week, dropping them from the top 25, giving them an 0-2 record in conference play, and leading some fans to call for the end of the Joe Moorhead era after only five weeks. Mississippi State is in dire need of a signature victory to steady a suddenly-foundering ship, and beating the No. 8 Tigers on their home field would certainly qualify.
It won’t be easy. Auburn is 4-1 with its lone blemish coming in a one-point loss to No. 5 LSU. A typically-dominant year from arch rival Alabama means the Tigers have no margin of error on their path to a conference title. A second loss — especially to a struggling MSU team, would also effectively destroy their College Football Playoff hopes as well.
Time, TV channel, and streaming info
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Wade Davis Stadium, Mississippi State, MS
- TV: ESPN2
- Streaming: WatchESPN
- Odds: Auburn is favored by 3.5 points.
Auburn vs. Mississippi State news:
- Last week’s Auburn-Southern Miss game wasn’t great — but you can still learn from the Cliffs Notes.
- Kam Martin’s tough running made him a valuable part of the Tiger offense; will his role diminish against an SEC opponent?
- There was a lot of ugliness in Mississippi State’s 13-6 loss to Florida.
How about this; Mississippi State has not scored a touchdown in six straight quarters? WHAT!!! It istime to put an end to this offensive nonsense.As Irecall this is the same team that ran all over Alabama last season, the same team that started the season 3-2 last season, and the same team that finished 9-4 last season. It is time for the coaching staff to form a game plan around the strengths of this team and execute our offense the way it was designed to operate, which is to punish defenses on the ground first and through the air second.
- Who should Mississippi State fear most Saturday? A certain Auburn quarterback.
Can Jarrett Stidham carve up the Bulldogs?
Auburn will face a Bulldog defense that ranks 16th in the FBS in passing yards allowed — but Mississippi State hasn’t seen a quarterback like Stidham this fall. The Tiger quarterback has been the engine that drives his team’s offense, even if his numbers aren’t overwhelming. Saturday’s game will give him an opportunity to shine against a Power 5 program — he’s only got a 2:2 TD:INT ratio in three such games this fall.
Auburn vs. Mississippi State prediction:
The S&P+ rankings rate Auburn as the nation’s No. 11 team— but also appreciate the Bulldogs, who come in at No. 20. The preseason ratings predicted a four-point win back in August — and that number still seems about right.