Bulldogs Host Tigers In Clash Of Undefeated SEC Sides
After drubbing Texas A&M last week, Josh Robinson and Mississippi State will look to upset Auburn.
Two of the Southeastern Conference’s three remaining undefeated sides clash Saturday as No. 3 Mississippi State hosts No. 2 Auburn.
Kickoff at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
The pivotal matchup will give experts, fans and bettors alike the chance to see two National Championship contenders close up, and could play a huge role in shaping the SEC as we close in on the second half of the season.
The Story So Far
A week ago, Mississippi State (5-0, 2-0 SEC) pulled off a stunning upset of then-No. 6 ranked Texas A&M, routing the favored Aggies thanks to a prolific effort from quarterback Dak Prescott, who accounted for five touchdowns.
With less than three minutes left in the game, the Bulldogs held a 48-17 advantage, before Kenny Hill and the Aggies scored a pair of garbage time touchdowns to finish with a more respectable 31 points.
For Dan Mullen’s side, which had earned a 34-29 victory over then-eighth ranked Louisiana State two weeks earlier, the game made the football world stand up and pay attention.
Now, with a third straight game against a ranked opponent, Mississippi State will look to remain undefeated. If the school is successful, it will in all likelihood take top spot in the AP Top 25 and, more importantly, move into the No. 1 spot in the eyes of the College Football Playoff committee.
While Mississippi State has provided the wow factor, Auburn (5-0, 2-0 SEC) has quietly been going about getting the job done.
Picked as a top five contender by bookmakers ahead of the season, the Tigers have cruised to victory through the first six weeks of the season.
Gus Malzahn’s side faced a stiff test against Kansas State in a Thursday night game three weeks ago, managing to come away from the Little Apple with a 20-14 victory. From there it’s been business as usual, including a 41-7 drubbing of LSU last weekend.
The Tigers have been an offensive and defensive juggernaut through the early part of the season. Barring that trip to Manhattan, Kan., Auburn has scorned no fewer than 41 points in a game while allowing no more than 21. In fact, the Tigers haven’t allowed more than 17 points since the opening weekend.
Mississippi State represents the biggest threat so far to Auburn’s undefeated streak though, and Saturday’s game – which is a crucial one in terms of the SEC standings – could turn into a bruising, hard fought affair.
The SEC Landscape
Depending on the result of the Rebels-Aggies game on Saturday night, the winner of Saturday afternoon’s game could emerge as the last of the undefeated SEC sides. Such a result would give the winner the inside track to the SEC Championship Game, at least for now.
Of course, there’s still plenty of work to be done down the stretch, and neither Auburn or Mississippi State will be home dry with just the one win.
Alabama, Mississippi and Texas A&M still represent realistic threats in the SEC’s West Division. Auburn still has to face all three, while Mississippi State has showdowns with the Rebels and Aggies left on the schedule. The division winner won’t be decided this weekend, nor the loser.
Experts still expect the winner of the West Division to emerge as the eventual SEC champion, but Georgia and Missouri – two sides which meet this weekend – will still have a say in that. Florida could too.
Head-to-Head
Since the two schools first met in 1950, Auburn leads the all-time head-to-head series 57-26-3.
The Tigers are 16-8-1 on the road against the Bulldogs, including 12-5-1 in games played in Starkville.
A season ago, Auburn scored a 24-20 victory in the dying seconds at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers have won five of the last six head-to-head meetings, a part of a longer 11-2 streak.
Mississippi State earned a 28-10 victory the last time the two sides played in Starkville (Sept. 8, 2012), snapping a five-game home losing streak against the Tigers.
Injury Report
Auburn is without defensive end Carl Lawson, out indefinitely with a knee injury.
Mississippi State tackle Damien Robinson is out for the season with a knee injury.
Check out the full injury list
Can Nick Marshall and the Auburn Tigers stay undefeated?
Betting Report
Below you’ll find Betting Sports’ breakdown of odds and betting trends.
Auburn Tigers vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs odds for 10/11/2014
Moneyline: Auburn (-150) opened as a narrow favorite over Mississippi State (+130) on the moneyline.
The Bulldogs are hoping that a win in Starkville two years ago was the beginning of a new winning streak. A loss on Saturday would make it six out of seven at home in the series though.
Spread: The spread opened at 3 in favor of the Tigers.
Auburn (3-2-0 ATS) covered the spread for the first time in three weeks against LSU last week, while Mississippi State (4-1-0 ATS) has covered in three straight.
Auburn is 8-4-0 ATS in its last 12 games against Mississippi State, and has gone 4-2-0 ATS in its last six road games against the Bulldogs.
Total: The total opened at 63.
Auburn (2-3-0 O/U) has favored the under so far this season, while Mississippi State (3-2-0 O/U) has favored the over. Neither preference is clear cut though.
The total has gone under in seven of the last nine head-to-head meetings. The under has also paid out in four of the last five games the schools have played in the state of Mississippi.
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