Auburn vs Mississippi State Position Breakdown

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Quarterbacks - Two of the top quarterbacks in the SEC are playing in this game. Senior Nick Marshall is a proven leader for the Tigers. Auburn has a 17-2 record with Marshall as their starter. Question may rise about his ability to throw the football, completing 59% of his passes this season, but his ability to make plays in the running games makes him dangerous. On the other sideline is Heisman candidate Dak Prescott. After scoring 5 total touchdowns versus Top 10 Texas A&M, Prescott has caught the nation's attention. The Junior leads the SEC in quarterback rating and Top 10 in rushing yards. Nick Marshall has plenty of big game experience but I believe Dak Prescott is the hottest player in the country. I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of NFL teams that are looking for late round quarterbacks tuned in. Advantage: Mississippi State




Running Backs - Mississippi State and Auburn are third and forth in the SEC in rushing, respectively. Both teams quarterbacks contribute a bit to each rushing attack but the running backs in this game are NFL quality. Auburn's Cameron Artis-Payne is third in the SEC in rushing yards (594) while Mississippi State's Josh Robinson trails Artis-Payne by two yards. A x-factor of this game could be Auburn's Corey Grant. Grant has sub 4.3 speed and contributed earlier in the year with back to back 80+ games. Advantage: Even




Offensive Line - Auburn returned 4 out of 5 starting offensive lineman from a team that reached the national champion last season. Nick Marshall has been sacked one time this season. Mississippi State offensive line host three seniors and is a big part to the early success of the Bulldogs. Auburn center Reese Dismukes is the leading candidate for the Rimington Trophy. Advantage: Auburn

 Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - Mississippi State has a couple of talented underclassmen in De'Runnya Wilson and Fred Brown. Wilson leads the team in receiving yards and tied for 2nd in the SEC with 5 touchdown receptions. Senior Jameon Lewis leads the Bulldog in receptions with 15. Auburn host a group of receivers that can stretch the field. D'haquille Williams, Quan Bray and Sammie Coates are reliable targets and are deep ball threats. Neither team has an elite group of receivers but both teams has shown improvement in this department. Advantage: Mississippi State


Defensive Line - Gabe Wright is a future NFL draft pick on the Auburn defensive line. Sophomore Montravius Adams leads the Tigers in tackles for loss with 5 and is pivotal in the run support. Getting pressure on the quarterback will be DaVonte Lambert who leads the Tigers in sacks with 2.5. Preston Smith anchors the Bulldog defensive live leading them in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. Sophomores Chris Jones and A.J. Jefferson will also be mentioned throughout today's game for Mississippi State. Advantage: Auburn

 Linebackers - Auburn is 3rd in the SEC in total yards allowed and it has a lot to do with this linebacker unit. Cassanova McKinzy is a playmaker for the Tigers leading the team in tackles. Kris Frost will put pressure on Prescott early in the game. Question arise about the Tigers linebackers in pass coverage. Mississippi State linebackers have be playing with a lot of energy this season. Sophomore Richie Brown leads the Bulldogs in interceptions with 3. Benardrick McKinney has been flying to the ball this season average 7 tackles a game. Matthew Wells will also play a factor in coverage for Mississippi. Advantage: Mississippi State


Secondary - Auburn has one of the most experienced secondaries in college football. Senior Trovon Reed and Junior Johnathan Jones are ballhawks and will make it difficult on Mississippi State receivers. Johnathan Ford is second on the Tigers defense in tackles with 32. Mississippi State secondary struggles at times allowing 328 yards per game (Last in SEC). Will Redman and Tolando Cleveland will be tested early by the Auburn passing attack. Advantage: Auburn

Special Teams - Auburn averages more punt and kick return yards than Mississippi State. On the other hand, MSU allows less punt and kick return yards than Auburn per game. There have been a couple miscues in the Mississippi State kicking game, missing 3 extra points this season. Advantage: Auburn

 Prediction - Auburn 31 Mississippi State 35

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