Week five of the college football season is here, and we are down in the grit of conference play. This week showcases a big match-up in the SEC West, and the winner may be in the best position to challenge Alabama for a spot in the title game. The Auburn Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs face off in Jordan-Hare on Saturday, with the 5 p.m. kickoff scheduled for broadcast on ESPN.
Auburn comes off a huge 51-14 victory over Missouri, which was a much-needed morale booster for the Tigers. After struggling offensively in their matchup against FCS foe Mercer, the Auburn offense showed up with a vengeance in their first SEC win of the season. The Tigers rushed 53 times for 263 yards, and Kerryon Johnson ran for five touchdowns. Jarret Stidham was nearly perfect, completing 13 out of 17 passes for 218 yards. The Auburn defense had another stalwart performance, recovering three fumbles and snagging one interception. They were relentless on third down, as Missouri converted just 4 of their 13 attempts. Saturday’s win was a refreshing look for the Tigers, who finally seem to have gotten their groove.
Mississippi State’s week four matchup is a different story. Coming off a dominating upset of LSU, the Bulldogs had high hopes going into Saturday’s game against Georgia. Georgia held State to just 280 total yards, while State gave up 404 in the 31-3 loss. Nick Fitzgerald, who many hailed as the new Dak Prescott after the LSU game, was able to put up just 83 yards in the air. The question remains: did the disappointing week reveal Mississippi State’s true colors, or with Georgia in the rearview, are they ready to come back with a vengeance against the Tigers?
It should be a good game under the lights in Jordan-Hare. Auburn should be able to pull through, but it won’t be nearly as lopsided as last week’s win. If Mississippi State can regroup, Fitzgerald should have the opportunity to test out Auburn’s secondary, which hasn’t been challenged up to now. If the Bulldogs can convert on third down, they’ll be able to put up some points up against the Tigers. However, Auburn’s offense seems to have finally found their niche: a deadly running game with Stidham drawing blood through the air. If the defense can remain the stalwart wall it has built against opponents all season, and if it wins the turnover margin as it did against Missouri, Auburn should come out with its first home SEC win of the season. The Tigers would then be in perfect position to challenge Alabama for the top spot in the West.
Auburn vs. Mississippi State Prediction
Auburn – 31
Mississippi State – 24
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