SEC Power Rankings: Egg Bowl, Iron Bowl to decide SEC West champ

Nov 21, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi State defeated Arkansas 51-50. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

After winning four games in a row and six of their previous seven, the Mississippi State Bulldogs nearly lost for the second consecutive week. A second straight loss might not seem like a huge deal, but after being dominated by Alabama 31-6 two weeks ago, and holding a 31-14 lead over Arkansas in the first half Saturday in Fayetteville, it would have been two rather embarrassing outcomes for the Bulldogs.

Mississippi State allowed the Razorbacks to make a 28-0 run, but stormed back to take a 51-50 lead with 3:05 left to play and then blocked a last-minute 29-yard field goal attempt to improve to 8-3 this season and 4-3 in SEC play.

Not surprisingly, quarterback Dak Prescott was the player of the game. Prescott threw for 508 yards and five touchdowns with one interception on 38-for-50 passing and added 46 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. The senior QB now has 3,159 passing yards and 23 touchdowns with just three interceptions this season, and leads the Bulldogs with 478 rushing yards and nine TDs on the ground.

Both Fred Ross (10 receptions, 154 yards, 2 TD) and Brandon Holloway (4 receptions, 101 yards, 1 TD; 63 rushing yards) surpassed 100 yards, and De’Runnya Wilson was close behind with 93 yards and a TD on ten catches. Fred Brown also had a touchdown catch. Overall, MSU amassed 631 yards of total offense and 32 first downs.

The win was certainly spectacular, but there are obviously reasons to be concerned about a defense that allowed 479 total yards (though only 73 rushing yards) and surrendered seven touchdown passes. The Bulldogs also lost the turnover battle 3-0.

Up next is the Egg Bowl against Ole Miss in Starkville. A victory over the Rebels would be the sixth straight in Starkville dating back to 2003 and would keep the possibility of back-to-back 10-win seasons alive as well.

Next Game: Saturday November 28 vs. Ole Miss

Next: Ole Miss