Mississippi State gets a breather after a tough, heartbreaking loss to LSU to kick off the SEC season. With road games at Auburn and Texas A&M up next, this is where the Bulldogs work out a few key issues – like the running game. Northwestern State is 0-2 after losing to Louisiana Lafayette 44-17 last week. So what has to happen for this to be interesting? Check out our Mississippi State vs. Northwestern State prediction and game preview below.

Mississippi State vs. Northwestern State Prediction & Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 19
Game Time: 4:00 pm
Venue: Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (Starkville, Mississippi )
Network: SEC Network

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Why You Need To Care

Mississippi State is a field goal away from being 2-0 and thinking this could be another interesting season. Auburn is struggling, so the hope was to get by LSU, get hot, roll though the other Tigers in Jordan-Hare, and then try to get through Texas A&M before getting four of the next five games at home. There’s still plenty of time to come up with a huge season – and even win the SEC – but the Bulldogs need plenty of work.

Northwestern State has a decent ground game, but the defense hasn’t been close in double-digit losses to SE Louisiana and Louisiana-Lafayette. The Demons came up with a decent 6-6 season last year, and they’ll be okay in time in conference play, but to pull a Jacksonville State and make this close, they’re going to have to hold up against an MSU team looking to get the ground game going.

Why Northwestern State Will Win

Control the ball and control the clock. LSU was able to grind it out on a Bulldog team that’s had the ball for just 24:31 per game so far. To have any sort of shot to make this interesting, NSU has to hit on the third down plays – doing a decent job so far – keep the mistakes and penalties to a bare minimum – also doing well at this – and the defense has to stay off the field. The Demon defensive front can’t hold up against any sort of power.

Why Mississippi State Will Win

It’s tinkering time, but Mississippi State hasn’t been able to run the ball a lick. Fortunately, the run D has been the Demons’ biggest issue so far, getting hammered for close to 400 yards per game – this is when the offensive line takes control. Dak Prescott can throw and the passing game can move, but it has to be more efficient and more effective than it’s been in the first two weeks. That starts with getting the ground attack moving.

Player Who Matters

Dak Prescott hasn’t done too much running, and that’s by design to keep him in one piece. However, that means Brandon Holloway and Ashton Shumpert have to start doing more, with the two combining for just 156 yards and no scores so far. Holloway has come up with a few big runs while Shumpert has been more of a grinder, but now is the time to get this ground attack working. On the year, MSU has just 248 yards and two touchdowns – it needs to have that in the first half.

What’s Going To Happen?

MSU will work on getting the offense humming. It’s going to work out the kinks and should move efficiently and effectively as long as it wants to. The score will be kept within embarrassing limits only because the Bulldog coaching staff will be nice.

Mississippi State vs. Northwestern State Score Prediction

Fianl Score: Mississippi State 52, Northwestern State 10, Line: No Line, o/u: No Line

Must See Rating: 5: Republican Debate, Second Round – 1: Republican Debate, First Round … 1.5

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