Here’s everything you need to know for Saturday afternoon’s BYU vs Mississippi State showdown in Starkville, Miss.
It’s been an interesting start to the 2017 season for Mississippi State and head coach Dan Mullen. He was credited for bringing the Bulldogs “back” after a rough 2016 season, but praise soon faded after he dropped two straight games against Georgia and Auburn by a combined score of 80-13.
Now, Mullen needs to figure out a way to bounce back and he will get a chance against a reeling BYU team. Nick Fitzgerald is coming off two of the worst starts of his career under center, but he has a chance to completely go off against the Cougars and their lackluster defense. Look for him to have a big performance through the air while Aeris Williams bounces back in the run game.
BYU, on the other hand, has been struggling, to say the very least. The Cougars have been one of the worst teams in college football this year, winning their first game against Portland State, but losing five straight since. Sitting at 1-5 with a surprisingly mediocre offense, the Cougars are searching for answers.
Tanner Mangum has been far more ineffective than expected, especially after posting a huge freshman season in 2015. Maybe being benched last season was a confidence-killer for him. He currently has just two touchdowns and six interceptions and he’s completing just 55 percent of his passes. Squally Canada and the run game have struggled to replace Jamaal Williams as well.
Here’s how to watch Saturday’s BYU vs Mississippi State game:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 14
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Starkville, Miss.
Venue: Davis Wade Stadium
TV: SEC Network
Live Stream: SEC Network Live
Keys to Victory
Nick Fitzgerald needs to take advantage of BYU’s middle-of-the-pack passing defense. Granted, the Cougars have the 37th-best passing defense in the country, but they have struggled against Utah, LSU and Wisconsin — the only three passing offenses with a pulse on their schedule, with the exception of Boise State. Fitzgerald may be the best quarterback they have faced to date and he will need to have his best game of the year. Shake off the last two starts, young man.
For BYU to have a shot on the road against Mississippi State, the Cougars will need to protect the ball and find their run game. No more ill-advised Mangum interceptions and no more sub-4.0 yards per carry average as a team. The Cougars have talent on the offensive side of the ball, but it has been squandered, for some reason. Canada and Ula Tolutau need to have strong games on the ground and Mangum needs his best showing yet through the air.
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Prediction
Fitzgerald is going to piece together his best start of the season and shake off those two poor games against Auburn and Georgia. A nice confidence-boosting matchup against BYU at home will surely help as he tosses for over 300 yards and adds another 50, or so, on the ground. Aeris Williams will also have a nice game while, on the other side, Tanner Mangum Struggles through the air again and the run game can’t get going. Now it’s definitely a confidence thing for Mangum. Mississippi State wins easily.
Final Score: BYU 13, Mississippi State 35