Mississippi St at Texas A&M – College Football Predictions
The Game
This is a very under-the-radar game given all the other big match-ups BUT it should be a close and competitive contest. The Bulldogs have been a bit better than advertised with a record of 5-2 with their only losses coming at the hands of ROLL TIDE and Auburn. They have started October off well with wins over BYU and Kentucky. The Aggies have been in a lot of close games this season and also have a record of 5-2. They hung tough vs ROLL TIDE. Is this the season that they do NOT have a late season meltdown ? Let’s dig in !
The Details
Mississippi St -2.5 Texas A&M (56.5)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Mississippi St -1
Sagarin Ratings – Mississippi St -4
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Mississippi St 29.5 Texas A&M 27
Massey Ratings Projected Score: Mississippi St 31 Texas A&M 30
The Match-Up
Mississippi St offense vs Texas A&M defense
The Bulldogs boast one of the best QBs in the SEC in Nick Fitzgerald who has thrown for 11 TD passes and rushed for another 9. He has LEGIT dual-threat ability, and when complemented with RB A Williams, the running game can really do some serious damage. Florida rushed for well over 200 yards vs the Aggies and you know the game plan is going to be run the ball and take the odd shot down the field. Texas A&M is lethal at getting PENETRATION and are ranked #1 in the SEC in sacks per game and TFL per game. Miss St does a good job of keeping Fitzgerald clean but they have to respect the disruptive Aggies’ stop unit. They should be fine if they keep pounding the soft underbelly.
Texas A&M offense vs Mississippi St defense
QB Kellen Mond has done a decent job this season (7-4 TD to INT ratio; good mobility) and is going to have to be at his best against a very underrated Bulldogs’ defense. Mississippi St has the #8 ranked defense in the FBS, and when you look at the games vs everyone other than ROLL TIDE and Auburn, you will note that they have allowed just 0,21,7,10 and 7 points. Texas A&M has a rock solid 1-2 punch at RB (T Williams / K Ford) that has accounted for 12 TDs on the ground. WR Christian Kirk is the best receiver in this game and will test the Bulldogs’ secondary. The Aggies look to be in decent shape but need to increase their production (24,19,19 points scored last three games).
MEGA-MAZING MINUTIA
There shouldn’t be too many points left on the field as the starting PKs have combined for 20/22 on FG attempts this season.
Summary
We were hoping to get a FG with the Bulldogs and dip into the pool but are surprised at the respect they are receiving. Both defenses are underrated and we feel that the under may be the way to go, yo.
Conclusion
Under 56.5 for small to medium potatoes.