Josh Robinson Shows Mississippi State Offense Is More Than Just Dak Prescott
Oct 25, 2014
During Mississippi State’s unlikely rise to the top of the college football polls, junior quarterback Dak Prescott has become the face of the Bulldogs offense and one of the faces of college football.
With good reason too: Prescott is one of the game’s most dynamic players and a strong contender for the Heisman Trophy. But Saturday afternoon, junior tailback Josh Robinson showed that Prescott isn't the only one capable of carrying the offensive load for the Bulldogs.
While No. 1 Mississippi State was pushed by Kentucky in a 45-31 win, Robinson put together a career-high 198 rushing yards, including two of the best runs we’ve seen this season.
While Prescott had another solid game (216 passing yards on 18 of 33 attempts, one touchdown and one interception, plus 88 rushing yards and two rushing scores), he was clearly banged up after taking a helmet to his knee. That knock made him limp to the sidelines several times.
Dak Prescott came to the media room with a boot on his left foot. Said it was precautionary
Saturday was a sign that Prescott doesn’t have to propel State’s offense forward all by himself.
Robinson entered as State’s leading rusher, and this marked his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season. He had 197 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in the Bulldogs’ breakthrough 34-29 win at LSU.
Josh Robinson just broke 10 tackles, carried three dudes with him, and dredged up a sunken World War II sub from an ocean trench
On Saturday, the 5’9”, 215-pounder showed national viewers just what he can do if given the opportunity.
With the Bulldogs holding a 24-17 third-quarter lead and backed up inside their own 20, Robinson provided a spark. He was met in the backfield by a host of Kentucky defenders but cut back right and broke at least seven tackles on his way to a 22-yard gain. That sparked a quick drive that helped MSU push its lead back to two touchdowns.
If your plan is to arm tackle Josh Robinson, you are a stupid planner.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats had again cut the lead to a touchdown when Robinson struck once more, taking a 3rd-and-1 at the MSU 27 for a rumbling, demoralizing 73-yard touchdown run.
Robinson is a powerful, physical runner who is very tough for opposing linebackers to bring down—the perfect complement to Prescott’s power-running style, he told Gary Graves of the Associated Press.
"It helps the offense so much,'' Prescott said. "It helps out the run game with myself and the passing game. They have to respect Josh on the run because I can potentially run as well.''
The Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0 SEC) still have games left at Top Five teams Alabama and Ole Miss. They’ll need a balanced, productive offense to survive those games and push for a College Football Playoff bid. With Robinson in the fold, they have the running game necessary to do just that.
Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats Odds: Analysis and Prediction
Oct 21, 2014
Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott (15) walks through off the field following their 38-23 win over No. 2 Auburn in an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle)
The Mississippi State Bulldogs return from their bye week and will put their unbeaten record on the line when they visit the Kentucky Wildcats in an SEC matchup on Saturday.
The Bulldogs will try to win their 10th straight game dating back to last season and beat the Wildcats for the sixth time in a row, while Kentucky looks to bounce back from a 41-3 road loss at LSU as a double-digit home underdog.
Point Spread: Bulldogs opened as 13-point favorites at Commonwealth Stadium.
Why the Mississippi State Bulldogs Can Cover the Spread
Mississippi State has too much to lose right now as the No. 1 team in the country, especially with a tough road ahead the rest of the way.
The Bulldogs simply can’t afford a loss here and have covered the spread in six of the last seven meetings with the Wildcats.
Top Heisman Trophy candidate Dak Prescott saw two of his competitors for the award (Notre Dame's Everett Golson and Baylor's Bryce Petty) lose last week, giving him the perfect opportunity to shine in his first game back from the bye.
Prescott completed 23 of 34 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 33 yards on 16 carries in last year’s 28-22 home win over Kentucky. That was the only meeting over the past seven where Mississippi State did not cover as a 12.5-point favorite.
Why the Kentucky Wildcats Can Cover the Spread
The Wildcats have not fared well on the road this season, but they are 5-0 straight up and 4-1 against the spread at home. They had turned in impressive back-to-back performances at Commonwealth Stadium before being routed by the Tigers last week.
Kentucky quarterback Patrick Towles never got on track at LSU with just 146 yards, but he threw for 424 yards and four touchdowns in his previous two games combined.
Towles did not play in last year’s meeting, so the Bulldogs will not be familiar with him. However, the Wildcats did play against Prescott last season and were able to cover the spread against him. This familiarity plus the home field could lead to another ATS win.
Smart Pick
Kentucky may be 4-1 ATS at home this season, but only one of those covers was against an SEC team. That came in a 45-38 upset of South Carolina as a 4.5-point underdog on October 4.
The Wildcats are only 1-10 ATS in their last 11 home games as double-digit dogs and will be facing a highly motivated Mississippi State team that has enjoyed a lot of past success against them.
The Bulldogs are also 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as road favorites and 3-0 vs. the line in their past three games away from home against SEC opponents. On the other hand, Kentucky is 2-8 ATS in its past 10 home games vs. conference foes.
This all adds up to another big win for Mississippi State.
Betting Trends
Mississippi State is 4-1 SU in its last five games on the road.
Kentucky is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games.
All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.
College Football Odds: Opening Week 9 Betting Lines and Totals
Oct 20, 2014
Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott (15) runs across the field in the first half of their NCAA college football game against Auburn in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct 11, 2014. No. 3 Mississippi State beat No. 2 Auburn 38-23. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
No. 1 Mississippi State will be gunning for its 10th straight win straight up when it takes on the Kentucky Wildcats this weekend as early 13-point favorites on the college football betting lines.
Following a bye in Week 8, the undefeated Bulldogs face their first challenge since ascending to the top of the AP Top 25 poll with a convincing 38-23 win over Auburn as 2.5-point underdogs.
The win was the Bulldogs' third straight against Top 10 schools, as they posted a 34-29 upset win over LSU before dominating Texas A&M by a 48-31 score as three-point favorites.
The Wildcats are coming off a 41-3 loss to LSU as 11.5-point underdogs and will be desperate for a win to stay in contention in the SEC East. Kentucky is 5-0 SU and 4-1 against the spread in its last five games at home, but the Wildcats have had little success against the Bulldogs, going 1-4 SU and ATS in their last five home meetings.
No. 3 Ole Miss will also be looking to continue its winning ways when it travels to the bayou to face No. 24 LSU as three-point road favorites at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark.
The Rebels are riding an eight-game winning streak, SU and ATS, but have had mixed results against the Tigers, posting a 1-5 record SU in their last six trips to LSU but covering in their last five. LSU is 12-1 SU in its last 13 home dates, but a mediocre 7-6 ATS.
Riding high after handing No. 21 Texas A&M a crushing 59-0 loss last week, No. 4 Alabama opened as strong 15.5-point road favorites over Tennessee.
While the Crimson Tide looked like College Football Playoff contenders in their win over the Aggies, they have been a weak bet, going just 3-8 ATS in their last 11, with the UNDER going 0-3 in their last three games.
Tennessee has lost four of its last five games heading into Saturday night’s Tide vs. Volunteers betting matchup at Neyland Stadium and is winless SU and ATS in its last five against Alabama.
In other college football betting action, No. 5 Auburn returns to action, opening as 14-point favorites against South Carolina at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. No. 8 Michigan State opened as 15.5-point favorites over the rival Michigan Wolverines, while No. 23 Marshall, looking to move to 8-0 SU on the season, opened as a 26.5-point favorite over Florida Atlantic.
Dak Prescott's Heisman Chances Will Be Hurt by Mississippi State's Week off
Oct 18, 2014
COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 09: Dak Prescott #15 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs looks to pass against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on November 9, 2013 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
In our fast-paced, overreaction society, the worst thing that can happen to one of the best players in the country is having a week out of the spotlight.
Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott is about to find out how fickle the winds can be in the Heisman race. The Bulldogs are off this week before a showdown at Kentucky on October 25. Meanwhile, two of his main competitors for the award are in action this week.
One of them, Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson, has a showcase game on the road at Florida State. If he has a huge game against the Seminoles, the Heisman race is going to swing in his favor.
According to ESPN.com's Heisman Watch, the top five candidates for the award are Prescott, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, Golson and Georgia running back Todd Gurley.
Gordon and Gurley are non-factors this week. Wisconsin has a bye, while Gurley remains indefinitely suspended while Georgia investigates whether he received money for "autographs, memorabilia or the use of his likeness," per ESPN's Joe Schad.
Prescott moved into the Heisman catbird seat following last week's 38-23 win over Auburn. There were moments in that game when it looked like his campaign would be derailed, particularly on back-to-back drives early in the second quarter that ended with interceptions.
Fortunately for Prescott's Heisman hopes and Mississippi State's title hopes, he was able to right the ship and finished the game with 367 yards of total offense (246 passing, 121 rushing) and four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing).
ESPN's Joe Tessitore found in his Heismanology that Prescott has the biggest lead in the five years that the network has been conducting this poll, via SEC Network:
Dak Prescott has a more sizable lead after Wk 7 than anybody we've seen in the last 5 years of the Heismanology Poll: http://t.co/bosQGPmeb3
This is a case of recency bias. Not to say that Prescott isn't deserving of being the Heisman favorite, but it also helps that we've just seen Mississippi State beat LSU, Texas A&M and Auburn in consecutive weeks.
However, one could argue that LSU and Texas A&M were overrated at the time of the games. LSU got blown out by Auburn two weeks after Mississippi State's win, and the Tigers squeaked by a mediocre Florida team last week.
Texas A&M started the year playing well, but one thing we know about Kevin Sumlin teams is that they don't play defense. The Aggies got blown out at home against Mississippi after losing to the Bulldogs.
This isn't denigrating what Prescott or Mississippi State have done; it's just an examination of the schedule and teams played thus far.
As for the competition, Mariota started the year as a Heisman favorite and really hasn't done anything to fall out of the race. Even in Oregon's loss against Arizona, he threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns. On the season, the junior quarterback has the most passing touchdowns without an interception among FBS players, via ESPN's College GameDay:
Marcus Mariota (17 Pass TD, 0 Int) & Cyler Miles (9 Pass TD, 0 Int) have the most passing TDs of any FBS QBs without a pick this year.
There are questions to be raised about the schedule that Oregon has played thus far, but its win over Michigan State, currently ranked eighth, is better than any win Mississippi State currently has, with the exception of Auburn.
In that win over the Spartans, Mariota was masterful with 318 passing yards, 42 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Mariota has a chance to fill up the stat sheet against Washington at Autzen Stadium to remind everyone why he was a favorite coming into the year. Keep in mind he's playing behind a terrible offensive line and still putting up gaudy numbers.
Golson's stock has taken a dip recently thanks to nine turnovers in the last three weeks. A lot can be forgiven if you have a great game on the road against the defending national champions, who are currently undefeated.
There is a long way to go before the Heisman race is decided. Prescott still has marquee games against Alabama and Mississippi to secure the trophy. He's just got the misfortune, through no fault of his own, of sitting on the sidelines while his closest competitors have a chance to move up the ranks.
If you want to talk sports, hit me up on Twitter @adamwells1985.
Why Star Louisiana Brothers Are Favoring Magnolia State School
Oct 16, 2014
Coveted 2016 DB Andraez Williams, pictured, and his brother spent the past two Saturdays at Mississippi State.
Recent results have swiftly transformed Mississippi into the epicenter of an unpredictable college football season. Admirers and enemies alike have witnessed the rapid ascension of two in-state SEC programs, but few have enjoyed front-row seats to this spectacle like Louisiana brothers Rodarius and Andraez Williams.
The Shreveport defensive back duo spends Friday nights shutting down opposing passing attacks for Calvary Baptist Academy, then stay busy on weekends by hitting the recruiting trail, highlighted by back-to-back Saturday afternoons at Mississippi State. They first journeyed to Davis Wade Stadium on Oct. 4 for a "prove it" game against Texas A&M.
The Bulldogs, then ranked 12th nationally and fresh off an upset road win at LSU, throttled the Aggies in front of a raucous crowd. Rodarius and Andraez, along with much of America, moved on from the matchup with an altered image of Dan Mullen's program.
"You can't help but be impressed," Rodarius said. "It’s a great atmosphere. It's the place to be right now. I love everything about Mississippi State so far from what we've seen."
Dan Mullen has Mississippi State soaring to new heights.
The heralded high school juniors enjoyed the new experience, but what occurred next sent the strongest message from Starkville. The Williams brothers returned to school Monday with a Mississippi State scholarship offer awaiting each of them.
"The coaches told us they were going to offer, and they didn't waste any time," Rodarius said. "It means a lot to us. No matter what offers I get in the future, they'll always be near the top of my list. I really appreciate that they've been straight and honest with us about everything."
It represented the first big-time FBS offer for Rodarius, a 2016 prospect who has largely remained under the radar relative to his sibling. Andraez has already assembled an impressive list of collegiate opportunities, with Texas A&M and LSU among those in the mix.
He didn't hesitate when asked to assess the current climate in SEC country.
"I think Mississippi, the whole state, owns football in the South right now," Andraez said.
The brothers returned to Starkville last Saturday to watch the Bulldogs upend reigning SEC champion Auburn, giving the team three straight victories over top-10 opponents.
"It was like, wow, they did it again," Rodarius said.
Mississippi State rose to No. 1 in national rankings, leapfrogging defending national champ Florida State. Expectations are suddenly sky-high for a program long held down by more esteemed conference contemporaries.
"I think Mississippi State will go all the way to the national championship game," Andraez said. "They’ve got the quarterback and the defense to do it."
The quarterback, Dak Prescott, is a Heisman Trophy contender and Louisiana native. His national popularity, along with national respect for the program, is soaring.
"Everyone is talking about Mississippi State," Rodarius said. "I think they’ve surprised a lot of people. I'm sure they believed in themselves when the season started, but they’re the underdog. It's crazy to see them at No. 1."
QB Dak Prescott has helped put the Bulldogs atop national rankings.
The Williams' respect for the program has undoubtedly been enhanced by a recent string of eye-opening wins, but their interest extends beyond the win column.
Both prospects are intrigued by the opportunity to team up with cornerbacks coach Deshea Townsend, who starred at Alabama and went on to win two Super Bowl titles with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"Coach Townsend was in [the] NFL for a very long time, and he obviously knows what he's doing," Rodarius said. "When we got to Mississippi State for the first time, he told us to watch how disciplined their defensive backs are. I kept my eyes on them all game. He wasn't kidding. They're trained very well."
Andraez echoed those sentiments.
"I think Coach Townsend is the best defensive coach around," he said. "It would be an honor to play for him because he always has his players ready to compete."
Whether or not the brothers compete together in college remains a mystery. While it's clearly a goal for both athletes, there's someone else who would cherish the bond even more.
"My mama would love that," Andraez said.
"Yeah, it would be sweet to play together, but a lot of it will depend on a team's situation at cornerback," he continued. "If there's an opportunity for both of us to come in and play, that's great. But if we have to fight for just one spot I'm not sure."
Rodarius and Andraez, nicknamed "Lee Lee" and "Greedy" respectively, have been spectacular for Calvary Baptist, a state title contender. They've combined for 39 tackles and five interceptions—four plucked by Rodarius—through six games.
"We talk about staying together in college all the time," Rodarius said. "We've had a lot of success in high school, and it would be cool to keep that going."
Much of that success has been forged through fierce daily competition against teammate Shea Patterson. The 5-star quarterback recruit is a blue-chip member of the 2016 class, tossing 51 touchdowns and just one interception in his past 17 games, per MaxPreps.
"He's definitely challenged us to become better defenders because it's really hard to deal with his passes," Andraez said. "He can burn you because he puts the ball in a perfect spot. That's forced us to play more physical in man coverage and learn how to jam up receivers at the line."
The results have been outstanding, putting both brothers in position to participate at the highest level of amateur football.
So what's their commonality?
"We’re both shutdown guys who can control our side of the field," Andraez said. "I'm faster than he is, but I think he’s got better ball skills right now. We're both working to get better, just trying to see where it takes us."
Andraez anticipates a return to Mississippi for the third straight Saturday—this time flying solo—to watch Ole Miss take on Tennessee. The Rebels, ranked third nationally, extended an offer last week.
"I've never seen Ole Miss play, so this weekend is going to be a good opportunity for me to see what that program is all about," he said.
A debate is raging about which Mississippi team is superior at this point of the season. If both programs manage to make it through their matchups unbeaten, the winner would be a strong favorite to claim the No. 1 seed in inaugural College Football Playoffs.
Naturally, the Williams brothers will be front and center when the rivals collide Nov. 29 for what certainly could become the most meaningful football game ever played in Mississippi.
"I’m not sure if Ole Miss can beat Mississippi State because I think the Bulldogs have an edge, but it will be an amazing matchup to see," Andreaz said. "We’ll definitely be at that one."
All quotes obtained firsthand by B/R national recruiting analyst Tyler Donohue.
An Insider's Guide to Mississippi State's Cowbell Tradition
Oct 13, 2014
Love 'em or hate 'em, the ringing cowbells at Mississippi State inside Davis Wade Stadium are one of the most prominent—and noisy—traditions in the SEC.
Never have those cowbells been so loud as last Saturday, when the home-standing Bulldogs topped then-No. 2 Auburn 38-23 to improve to 6-0 and ascend to the top spot in both major polls.
The combination of the big-game atmosphere and the clanging of the cowbells created a raucous environment rivaling that of any stadium in any sport, as evidenced by this tweet from USA Today'sDan Wolken, who was in attendance for Saturday's win over Auburn:
Pat Forde of Yahoo! Sports called the atmosphere inside the stadium Saturday an "ear-splitting slice of hell for the visiting team."
Don't believe me?
Check out this vine of Mississippi State taking a knee to end the game from Michael Bonner of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger:
"That's our spirit symbol," athletics director Scott Stricklin said. "That's what we rally around, how we show our emotion and share our joy with one another."
Just where did the tradition come from?
As the old legend goes, it dates back to the 1930s and, according to Mississippi State's tradition page, a football game against intra-state rival Ole Miss. A cow roamed near the field as the Bulldogs were toppling the Rebels, and a tradition began where cows were present at all Mississippi State home games.
STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 08: Mississippi State fans wave cowbells in the first quarter of a NCAA college football game against Auburn on September 8, 2012 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
As stadiums grew bigger, fans realized that cows being at games may not be the best idea in the world, and substituted the cow's bell instead.
Times evolved, and two professors in the 1960s began welding handles on bells. In 1964, the bookstore started selling them with some proceeds going to the Student Association and Industrial Education Club, which helped mass-produce the cowbells.
"It's a very personal item," Stricklin said. "Which is why they're given as gifts. They're handed down through generations of families. People decorate them with stickers and paint. Your Mississippi State fan identity is embodied in that one piece of metal."
The cowbell is not only a statement of each individual's Bulldogs fandom but a reminder of the heritage of the school itself.
"The cowbell is special to MSU folks for two reasons," said Brian Hadad, a Mississippi State fan and host of The B&B Show on Bulldog Sports Radio on VSporto. "One, it plays at our heritage as an agricultural school. Two, it's one of the few things that is uniquely ours, that other fans identify with us. Everybody has a special chant, or a communal tailgate area. Not everybody has that symbol."
The SEC banned artificial noisemakers in 1974—a rule that stayed in place through 2010.
Stricklin, who is a Mississippi State graduate in addition to its athletics director, got the job in May 2010, a few weeks before SEC Spring Meetings in Destin, Florida. His first order of business was lifting the ban.
"There had been some conversations leading up to it, but when I interviewed with Dr. [Mark] Keenum in late April [2010], one of the questions in the interview was, 'how are you going make sure we keep the cowbell?' When he hired me, it was 'OK, you have spring meetings in three weeks, you better figure this out. It wasn't exactly the easiest jumping-off point, but Dr. Keenum deserves a lot of credit. He was a big part of that effort."
Mississippi State AD Scott Stricklin (center) with head coach Dan Mullen (right)
Through the "Ring Responsibly" campaign, Mississippi State was granted an exemption that allows fans to bring in artificial noisemakers, so long as they coincide with times in which music is allowed to be played through the stadium's public address system.
In years past, that meant only during and coming out of media timeouts and other times in which play is stopped. That changed this year, when the SEC allowed stadiums to play music up until the center touched the ball.
"We actually used this offseason to educate fans on that, hoping that will get people recalibrated to the rule," Stricklin said.
Save for one minor hiccup against Texas A&M, Stricklin has been pleased with the responsible ringing of Mississippi State fans.
"At the Texas A&M game, I thought we had about three-quarters of the stadium doing it the right way," he said. "But when you have that many people who aren't, it sounds like a lot more because of the noise that they make. It was important that we had a heart-to-heart with the fanbase to let them know where we need to be, and I was pleased with the response. I thought we did an outstanding job on Saturday."
They certainly did—on the field, and off of it.
"The change from bells to voices when Auburn would get over the ball was incredibly noticeable," said Hadad. "When it was time to ring, Mississippi State fans went all out. My ears hurt well into Sunday afternoon."
The cowbells have now taken on the persona of the team they represent, which, at 6-0 and ranked No. 1, is used to doling out punishment that persists well into Sunday.
STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 08: Mississippi State Bulldogs fans shake their cowbells in the first quarter of a NCAA college football game against Auburn Tigers on September 8, 2012 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Get
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a co-host of the CFB Hangover on Bleacher Report Radio (Sundays, 9-11 a.m. ET) on Sirius 93, XM 208.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
Mississippi State Setting Stage for Epic Clash with Alabama
Oct 11, 2014
Three weeks ago, Mississippi State looked like a capable understudy to Alabama and Auburn in the SEC.
Now at 6-0, with five wins coming by double digits, the Bulldogs are now primed to show out on Nov. 15 at college football's Broadway stage in Tuscaloosa, when they face off against the Crimson Tide.
The Bulldogs are now fresh off three straight wins against top 10 SEC opponents—LSU, Texas A&M and Auburn. Quarterback Dak Prescott and the rest of Stark Vegas have proven they belong, for now at least, in the College Football Playoff.
And after going through the gauntlet, the Bulldogs' next three games leading up to the showdown with the Tide are a breather.
They travel to Kentucky next week, which could be a trap game as the Wildcats are actually playing good ball. But they did lose to Florida (in three overtimes) and have been the beneficiaries of a much easier schedule than most anybody else in the SEC.
After that, the Bulldogs get Arkansas—another pesky but still below-average SEC squad that Prescott and Co. shouldn't have a problem with—than a gimme at home against UT Martin.
Then, Nov. 15 comes. And the country can't wait.
Alabama has a tougher road ahead of it between now and that date, with matchups against Texas A&M, Tennessee and LSU, before squaring off against Mississippi State.
But knowing Nick Saban, it's hard to see the Tide losing any of those games, as he knows that another loss will likely knock Alabama out of playoff contention. So how do the Bulldogs stack up against the Tide?
Well, with how Prescott is looking, you've got to think that the Bulldogs will have a decent chance at the game just because of him. He's put himself squarely into the Heisman Trophy conversation and he's poised to boost his numbers over the next three weeks.
Defensively, the Bulldogs are looking to join the party of elite SEC stoppers, holding teams to just 20 points per game heading into this week. They also held Auburn, a team that had scored at least 40 points in all but one of their games this season, to just 23.
The Bulldogs earn their paychecks by stopping the run, where heading into this week they ranked 11th nationally, allowing just 98 yards per game on the ground.
BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 20: Terrance Magee #18 of the LSU Tigers is tackled by Benardrick McKinney #50 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium on September 20, 2014 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Bulldogs defeated the Tigers 34-29. (Photo
Gaining yards on the ground is Alabama's bread and butter, as the Tide rush for 240 yards per game.
So come Nov. 15, when CFB's biggest game of the year to that point will take place, the battle will be won in the trenches.
If Mississippi State can dominate the line of scrimmage and limit Alabama's rushing attack and put pressure on Tide QB Blake Sims, who already failed his first big test of the year against Ole Miss, then the Bulldogs should come away with a victory.
And that should put them in the driver's seat to not only stay in the hunt for a playoff berth, but to earn the top seed in the playoffs.
Auburn vs. Mississippi State: How Bulldogs' Win Reshapes Playoff Picture
Oct 11, 2014
Mississippi State wide receiver De'Runnya Wilson (1) drags Auburn defensive back Jonathan Jones (3) over the goal line during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle)
Mississippi State or Florida State? That's the new debate atop college football.
After the Bulldogs' thrilling victory over Auburn Saturday that validated their College Football Playoff status and put the bull's-eye on their backs for the rest of 2014, the only question left to ask is whether Dan Mullen's squad has done enough to supplant the reigning national champions as the top team in the land.
The battle between No. 2 and No. 3 was the talk of college football all week. Everyone wondered if the Bulldogs were for real, and whether the Tigers could repeat last year's magic. While Auburn certainly isn't done in 2014, Mississippi State made its case convincingly.
With Florida State taking care of business against Syracuse, the Seminoles and Bulldogs should duel for bragging rights atop the rankings. But as Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman noted, simply being in this position is incredible for Mississippi State:
#HailState, a 150/1 pick to win the national title on the eve of the season & now MSU has a stronger claim than anyone to be #1 this wk
The Bulldogs looked hungry to run Auburn out of town Saturday just like it did Texas A&M. They took a 21-0 lead in the opening quarter, and all signs pointed to another thrashing of a SEC West heavyweight.
Auburn took the opening punch and gave one right back—largely aided by four straight Bulldog turnovers and a dominant Gus Malzahn run game. The Tigers battled back into it and trimmed the deficit to one possession in the fourth quarter.
But right when Mississippi State's resolve was being tested unlike it has all season long, the Bulldogs responded like champions do. They forced big plays, took the air out of the ball and pounded their way to a 38-23 win.
Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel wondered aloud if Florida State could overcome a lack of quality wins to hold off Mississippi State:
Bleacher Report's Marc Torrence challenged Twitter to tell him why the Bulldogs shouldn't be No. 1—a question awfully tough to give a rational answer to:
We're only halfway through the season, so all of these arguments have a few months to work themselves out. But this top-five matchup shook up the current CFP outlook in a huge way, and there should be no doubt after back-to-back top-six wins that the Bulldogs belong as No. 1:
No.
Team
1
Mississippi State
2
Florida State
3
Baylor
4
Ole Miss
Obviously, Auburn falls out of the CFP for now coming off its first loss of the season. Battling back in this game should be enough to prove that they belong among the nation's elite still, but they made key mistakes when the comeback was very alive.
Indicating Auburn is anywhere near done would be a naive rush to judgment. Should the Tigers run the table against South Carolina, No. 3 Ole Miss, No. 14 Texas A&M and No. 13 Georgia, they would likely be back in a top-four spot heading into the Iron Bowl.
But they may have lost their magic to the SEC West power that snuffed them out Saturday, as ESPN's Skip Bayless says:
Again: MissSt is last year's Auburn, bound for Final 4 as Dak leads Heisman race.
Few matchups all season will carry the weight that Saturday's did, with two teams in the top three of the standings going at it. But even Mississippi State—coming off its third consecutive top-10 win—has its work cut out.
But the Bulldogs' next big test might not come until a trip to Alabama on Nov. 15 and the Egg Bowl on Nov. 29. By then, one tight defeat to a national powerhouse could be enough to remain in the mix in the races for both the SEC West and CFP.
Here's a look at both teams' remaining schedules:
Auburn (5-1, 2-1 SEC)
Mississippi State (6-0, 3-0)
Oct. 25: vs. South Carolina
Oct. 25: at Kentucky
Nov. 1: at No. 3 Ole Miss
Nov. 1: vs. Arkansas
Nov. 8: vs. No. 14 Texas A&M
Nov. 8: vs. UT Martin
Nov. 15: at No. 13 Georgia
Nov. 15: at No. 7 Alabama
Nov. 22: vs. Samford
Nov. 22: vs. Vanderbilt
Nov. 29: at No. 7 Alabama
Nov. 29: at No. 3 Ole Miss
What's more, Heisman contender Dak Prescott didn't have his best day through the air. He threw two uncharacteristic interceptions but showed that passing struggles don't impact his ability to make plays with his legs—a scary sight for the rest of the SEC.
Meanwhile, Auburn will have no chance running the table if it turns the ball over like it did Saturday. Four turnovers is a recipe for disaster in any circumstance, much less against the quality foes the Tigers face week in and week out.
Some of the biggest tests for Mississippi State and Auburn are yet to come, but Saturday goes a long way to tell just how serious the national title chances for both teams truly are.
Dak Prescott vs. Auburn: Stat Line, Heisman Impact and Reaction
Oct 11, 2014
Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott (15) is pursued by Auburn defensive lineman Gabe Wright (90) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Dak Prescott made some mistakes, but the Mississippi State quarterback continued to boost his profile by leading a 38-23 upset over No. 2 Auburn.
The junior was impressive with both his arm and his legs to help knock off the previously unbeaten Tigers and put his team in the driver's seat in the SEC West. Here is a look at his numbers from the win:
C/ATT
Pass Yds
TD
INT
CAR
Rush Yds
TD
18/34
246
1
2
21
121
2
Prescott was already coming off big performances in upset wins over LSU and Texas A&M, becoming a legitimate contender for the coveted Heisman Trophy. Mike Hill of Fox Sports 1 broke down how history is in the quarterback's favor:
The last 4 winners weren't on any Heisman "watch list" at the start of the season….Dak Prescott could make that 5 in a row.
The calls for a Heisman were as loud as ever with an incredible start to the game for Mississippi State. The home team got on the board first with a Prescott touchdown pass to De'Runnya Wilson, which was impressive based on the quarterback's ability to stay in the pocket:
Dak Prescott threw that just before getting smaaaaaaaashed. Great poise in the pocket.
By the end of the first quarter, the Bulldogs were up 21-0 over the No. 2 team in the nation. Prescott scored the third touchdown of the game on the ground; stopping him at the goal line has become almost impossible, as ESPN's College GameDay noted:
Fortunately, he did just that by leading a eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that ended in another rushing touchdown to secure a 28-13 lead by halftime.
While two interceptions in the first half were disappointing, Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports believes he made up for those with the rest of his performance:
Dak Prescott has made two bad throws. Otherwise, he's been sensational. 205 yards total offense so far.
After halftime, the Mississippi State defense picked up the slack and made big plays to limit Auburn to just 10 points. At the same time, the squad forced turnovers to help secure the win.
Prescott did not have too many memorable moments in the second half, but he held onto the ball and moved the chains with his legs to earn the important victory.
Looking forward, Mississippi State will pretty much go as far as Prescott takes it, although his Heisman hopes are dependent on the team. If he can keep winning games in the tough SEC West, he will put up big enough numbers to be a true contender for the prestigious award.
Off-field problems for Jameis Winston and Todd Gurley mixed with losses by Oregon's Marcus Mariota and other top players make this race wide open.
If the Bulldogs can keep up the strong play and reach the College Football Playoff, it will be hard to deny Prescott at least a trip to New York City.
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Mississippi State aims to keep momentum moving forward against another heralded SEC opponent Saturday when reigning conference champion Auburn comes to town...
