SEC Predictions: Picks against the spread for Week 7
Oct 10, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Fred Ross (8) runs the ball during a play that would result in a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Troy Trojans at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
- Date: Saturday October 17, 2015
- Time: 12PM Eastern
- Location: Starkville, MS
- TV Channel: SEC Network
- Spread: Mississippi State -13.5
- Over/Under Total: 58
Even with quarterback Dak Prescott limited by an illness, Mississippi State roared to a 38-0 halftime lead last week against Troy before earning a 45-17 victory. Backup quarterback Nick Fitzgerald saw most of the action behind center in the second and third quarters, but Prescott is healthy again and expected to play as long as he is needed in Saturday’s Homecoming game against a 4-2 Louisiana Tech squad.
After close losses to WKU (41-38) and Kansas State (39-33), the defending C-USA Western Division champions are riding a three-game winning streak following a 34-31 win over UTSA last week. The stars of the squad have been former Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel, who has thrown for 1,812 yards and 11 touchdowns with three interceptions, receiver Trent Taylor, who has 634 yards and four scores on 49 catches, and running back Kenneth Dixon, who leads the team with 583 rushing yards and six touchdowns but did not play last week because of an ankle injury.
Mississippi State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz knows LA Tech well, having spent the 2014 season in Ruston, but that also means that Louisiana Tech head coach Skip Holtz knows Diaz well – which could benefit Tech’s hopes of an upset.
Expect State to be very aggressive again on defense this week, much like last week when the Bulldogs recorded four sacks, an interception and scored a defensive touchdown on a fumble recovery. With a couple of big plays by the defense, as well as a strong performance from Prescott and emerging receiver Fred Ross (who had a 59-yard TD reception and a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown against Troy), State should cover.
Next: Ole Miss at Memphis