Mississippi State vs. South Alabama Prediction, Game Preview
Mississippi State vs. South Alabama prediction and game preview for the opening weekend matchup between the Bulldogs and Jaguars. Mississippi State vs.
Mississippi State vs. South Alabama prediction and game preview for the opening weekend matchup between the Bulldogs and Jaguars.
Mississippi State vs. South Alabama Game Preview
Broadcast Info
Date: Saturday, September 3
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS
Television: SEC Network
Main Mississippi State vs. South Alabama Storyline
Mississippi State enters the season with lowered expectations put upon them, while South Alabama tries to rebound from a 5-7 season that ended with three straight losses.
Do-it-all quarterback Dak Prescott is gone from the Bulldogs offense, and head coach Dan Mullen has yet to name a starter, but leading wide receiver Fred Ross does return to a unit that finished No. 14 in the nation in passing yards last season. Whether it is Nick Fitzgerald, Damian Williams, or Nick Tiano that starts under center, they will face a pass defense that returns a lot of key players from last season, including cornerback Jeremy Reaves. Getting a pass rush by the defensive line will be a key for the Jaguars.
Dallas Davis has taken over the keys to the South Alabama offense and will look to provide some spark in a passing game that struggled last season. Finding tight end Gerald Everett will be a good way to break in the new starter. The Bulldogs return eight out of the top 10 tacklers from last season, and the defensive end duo of Nick James and Nelson Adams is one of the top in the SEC.
Statistics reflect the 2015 college football season.
Mississippi State Offensive Stats
Passing Offense: 316.4 ypg (No. 14 in the nation)
Rushing Offense: 144.08 ypg (No. 101 in the nation)
Total Offense: 460.5 ypg (No. 31 in the nation)
Scoring Offense: 34.4 ppg (No. 33 in the nation)
South Alabama Offensive Stats
Passing Offense: 199.5 ypg (No. 91 in the nation)
Rushing Offense: 160.67 ypg (No. 80 in the nation)
Total Offense: 360.2 ypg (No. 101 in the nation)
Scoring Offense: 25.0 ppg (No. 93 in the nation)
Mississippi State Defensive Stats
Passing Defense: 216.5 ypg (No. 57 in the nation)
Rushing Defense: 174.62 ypg (No. 70 in the nation)
Total Defense: 391.2 ypg (No. 56 in the nation)
Scoring Defense: 23.2 ppg (No. 36 in the nation)
Turnover Margin: -0.31 tpg (No. 92 in the nation)
South Alabama Defensive Stats
Passing Defense: 195.0 ypg (No. 25 in the nation)
Rushing Defense: 221.0 ypg (No. 113 in the nation)
Total Defense: 416.0 ypg (No. 83 in the nation)
Scoring Defense: 37.3 ppg (No. 115 in the nation)
Turnover Margin: -0.42 tpg (No. 100 in the nation)
Mississippi State vs. South Alabama Betting Odds
Spread: Mississippi State -31
Over/Under: 57
Mississippi State vs. South Alabama Prediction
Sure, Prescott is gone, but there is still a lot of talent in Starkville for Mullen to work with. Breaking in a new quarterback is never easy, especially when 60,000 cowbells are ringing in unison. The Bulldogs get an easy win to start off the post-Dak era.
Final Score Prediction For Mississippi State vs. South Alabama: Mississippi State 45, South Alabama 17
