Mississippi State football vs. Georgia: Scouting report, score prediction
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football has a chance to show how much Mike Leach’s program has grown in three weeks.
The last time MSU faced a top 10 opponent, Alabama cruised to a victory in Tuscaloosa. It was the second time in as many seasons the Bulldogs were outmatched in every phase against Nick Saban’s team, and Leach brought up a concerning point postgame.
“We’ve got some guys that are afraid of the jersey that says Alabama on it,” Leach said. “We spent a lot of time frightened of their jerseys. If you want to scare some of the guys on our team, put an Alabama jersey on. It’ll scare the hell out of them.”
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The uniforms of No. 1 Georgia (9-0, 6-0 SEC) should be just as intimidating Saturday (6 p.m., ESPN) at Davis Wade Stadium. On national television, this time in front of its home crowd, Mississippi State (6-3, 3-3) could prove plenty just by not backing away from its opponent.
Mississippi State defense vs. Georgia offense
MSU defensive coordinator Zach Arnett thinks his unit has grown in handling the intimidation of its opponent. Linebacker Jett Johnson said in 2021 he felt some players feared the Alabama logo.
Arnett doesn’t think that was the case this season.
“I think our defensive guys played pretty dang physical against Alabama,” Arnett said Wednesday. “I don’t think (fear) was an issue.”
Even the right mental approach will create difficulty in slowing down quarterback Stetson Bennett and Georgia’s offense.
Bennett, after finishing 11th in the SEC with 204.4 passing yards per game last season, is second this year with 289.6. Only MSU’s Will Rogers averages more (323.6).
The Georgia quarterback finds himself squarely in the Heisman mix, and a big game against the SEC’s No. 6 team in total defense could boost his resume.
“You’re obviously a pretty good quarterback if you won the national title,” Arnett said. “He’s playing on a very high level.”
Mississippi State offense vs. Georgia defense
Georgia’s defense last season is considered one of the greatest ever. The numbers have hardly dipped this season.
UGA is fifth nationally in total defense (265.4) and rush defense (86.3) and No. 15 in passing defense (179.1). However, Georgia sits in the lower half of the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss.
Teams have slowed down Leach’s Air Raid offense by bringing pressure instead of the usual strategy to drop eight defenders. If Georgia can generate pressure, the result is inevitable.
However, if MSU can give Rogers time, it could result in the Bulldogs landing some punches.
Rogers’ first career start came in 2020 when MSU, with fewer than 50 scholarship players available due to positive COVID-19 tests, nearly won in Athens. He threw for 336 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
Special teams
Lideatrick Griffin finally broke a kickoff return last week and continues to lead the SEC with 33.2 yards per return.
If Mississippi State is going to pull off the upset, or even keep the game close, it’ll require flawless special teams play. Georgia is fifth in the SEC with a touchback rate of 69.1%. On a cooler evening in Starkville where the ball may not travel as much, Griffin could get an opportunity.
Prediction
Georgia 30, Mississippi State 20: Georgia is coming off an emotional win against Tennessee in a game that was hyped to be the biggest SEC East game in some time. After winning a game of that magnitude, it’s not unusual to come out slow. Missouri and Kent State were able to compete with UGA this season. Mississippi State should be able to keep things tight at home.
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football vs. Georgia: Scouting report, score prediction
