re: Game Analysis: Mississippi State @ Auburn

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I chose this game this week because it is the most interesting to me. Georgia vs Tennessee is going to be a snooze fest unless Neyland Stadium can take out some of the Georgia players as it has done in the past.

Back to this game though. Both teams are 3-1 and are still trying to carve out their place in the west. Mississippi State has had, what was perceived at the time as, a big win at home against LSU. Auburn went on the road and played defensively well against Clemson, but the offense sputtered and they couldn't come up with the potentially huge W. State is coming off a very humbling trip to Athens and Auburn is coming off a "big" win against Mizzou where the return of K. Johnson has seemed to put a new spark into this Auburn offense. So let's get done to it shall we.

QB - Draw: Neither QB will look stellar in this game imo. Stidham isn't who Auburn hoped he would be and Fitzgerald is pedestrian when he isn't able to run off the zone read. Don't look for either to make much noise.

RB - Auburn: Being that State will go on the road again and face a defense that is similar to Georgia's, I can't see State's running game developing as it should to keep Auburn on its heels.

WR - Draw: With both QBs being pedestrian, I can't either receiving corps doing anything big this game.

OL/DL - State: I know Auburn fans aren't going to like this, but I think State's DL will have more of an impact on the game than Auburn's. Don't think for a second that the OL issues at Auburn have been fixed in two games. You just played two teams that couldn't expose them. Mercer has been playing football for 5 or so years and Mizzou has no defense. I think State can and will impact the game here. Auburn's D-Line will give State's OL fits as well being that they are built a little similar to Georgia's.

LB - State: With Stidham not being a running threat, Pettway only being able to go up the middle and Johnson only being able to go to the outside, Auburn's run attack may be easier to scheme against. State on the other hand may be able open some things up if their o-line can dominate the LOS which will be tough. Being that Fitz can pose a bigger threat with his legs, I think Auburn's LBs will have the tougher road

DB - Draw: With QB play potentially being pedestrian, I don't see either defensive backfield being in too much trouble. Both will be able to force picks with the aid of their respective front 7s.

K- Auburn: Legatron

Coaching: - State: This is the type of game Mullen will find a way to win. Gus will continue to do what he has always done, run it up the middle.

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