SEC Power Rankings: LSU – Alabama set up for another instant classic

Oct 24, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 42-16 Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

The Mississippi State Bulldogs have quietly been one of the hottest teams in the SEC. Since losing to LSU 21-19 in Week 2, the Bulldogs have won five of six with a 30-17 loss to Texas A&M in College Station as the lone blemish. And, State has gotten better over the course of the season with a 41-16 victory over Kentucky two weeks ago being the most impressive performance for the team and quarterback Dak Prescott in particular (aside from an interception that was the first of the season).

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Through the first eight games of the season, Prescott has completed 173 of 260 pass attempts for 2,048 yards, 14 touchdowns and one interception, and MSU regularly spreads defenses out with four and five receiver sets. The senior signal caller is also the team’s leading rusher with 371 yards, and it’s not close.

Brandon Holloway ranks second on the team with 196 yards, and neither Halloway nor Ashton Shumpert (159 rushing yards) has emerged as a constant threat in the running game. Prescott also leads the Bulldogs with seven rushing touchdowns (backup QB Nick Fitzgerald ranks second with three and running back Aeris Williams is the only running back with more than one).

Of course, even without a steady rushing game (State averages 149.6 rushing yards per game), the Bulldogs have moved the football effectively, having averaged 35.1 points and 295.5 passing yards per contest. Prescott and the Mississippi State offense will face its toughest challenge of the season next week, however.

Despite a 4-4 overall record, including three losses in a row, Missouri has allowed just 12.5 points and 280.9 points. And, with the game on a Thursday night in Columbia, the Bulldogs will have their hands full.

Next Game: Thursday November 5 at Missouri

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