Texas A&M Football can start a second half rally with a win over Mississippi State in Week 9. Here’s everything you need to know about the game.
When Texas A&M met Mississippi State a year ago the Aggies had just been named the No. 4 team in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. A loss to No. 1 Alabama the week before had not been punished by the committee, rather the Aggies had been rewarded for leading the Tide early in the second half.
Then the Aggies lost to Mississippi State and their season fell to pieces shortly after. The loss of quarterback Trevor Knight to injury was devastating at the team never recovered. The 2017 team looks to have more depth at the quarterback position; former starter Nick Starkel should be available in case of emergency.
Texas A&M started their season with a loss to UCLA that knocked them off the national radar. The Aggies then rebounded, winning five of their next six games. Their only loss in that time came against No. 1 Alabama by eight points. They currently sit just outside the top 25 and could enter the rankings for the first time this year with a victory.
Mississippi State has already spent time in the top 25 this season. The Bulldogs burst onto the stage with a 37-7 shellacking of No. 12 LSU before getting roasted in back-to-back losses against No. 11 Georgia and No. 13 Auburn.
Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s Mississippi State at Texas A&M game:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 28
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
Location: College Station, Tx
Venue: Kyle Field
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: Watch ESPN
Keys to Victory
Defense has been the most consistent unit for both the Aggies and the Bulldogs this season. Texas A&M leads the SEC in sacks and has relied on a front seven that looks just as impressive as it did with Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall patrolling the line of scrimmage.
The Aggie offense has been hit or miss so far this season, and while the have proven themselves able to whittle back a minor deficit, going down by more than two scores could prove fatal. Texas A&M needs to win the battle in the trenches and keep the Bulldogs off the board early.
Mississippi State will continue to rely on their dual-threat quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. He posted 182 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns a season ago against the Aggies, adding a pair of touchdown passes and 209 yards through the air. If he can find running lanes and get to the next level the Bulldog offense can stay on schedule.
Next: Updated 2018 NFL Mock Draft after Week 8
Prediction
The Aggies haven’t forgotten last season. While they have a record number of freshman playing, Coach Sumlin and his staff are well aware of what the Bulldogs are capable of and will be ready for the wrinkles that Dan Mullen will throw at them. The defense bends, but Christian Kirk and Kellen Mond prove to be too much for the Bulldogs to keep at bay for four quarters.
Final Score: Texas A&M 38, Mississippi State 24