Auburn at Mississippi State (09/09/2010)

Away:  Auburn [0-1 ATS]
Home:  Mississippi State [1-0 ATS]

Game Time: 7:45 PM
Stadium: Davis Wade Stadium

Recent Meetings:
09/12/09 - MISST 24 vs. AUB 49
09/13/08 - AUB 3 vs. MISST 2
09/15/07 - MISST 19 vs. AUB 14

Team Leaders:

Auburn:
Passing: Cameron Newton (186)
Rushing: Cameron Newton (171)
Receiving: Quindarius Carr (87)

Mississippi State:
Passing: Tyler Russell (256)
Rushing: Vick Ballard (60)
Receiving: Brandon Heavens (112)

More:
Live Odds
In-Depth Matchup Information
Consensus Betting Information

Quote Originally Posted by gobigblu4evr:

Can't wait for the line on this one. After seeing what they did against Arky St, im tempted to believe they might get upset on the road here in their SEC opener. 

I agree gobig... but i'm curious as to what your logic or anti-logic is for this play...

Not so fast my friends.  Auburn has been trying to "fix" that defense for over a year, and based on the first game against a weak opponent, they haven't found the answers yet.  Not saying they won't win, or perhaps cover, but facts are facts.  Auburn is, rightfully, excited about the offense and Cam Newton.  No one denies they will put up points on most everyone they face, but the defense is a concern.....even for Auburn fans.  Beyond that, the defense is thin and will likely get more vulnerable as the season goes along.

Miss State looks much better under former Florida OC Mullen.  They have always been able to grind out a strong running game, but now they seem to have found a passer which makes it much harder to stop them.  Memphis may not have been a strong opener, but they are as good as Arky State, Auburn's first opponent.  And MSU looked at least as dominant.  Add to that it is a Thursday night game at a school excited about becoming viable again with a coach they have confidence in.  I don't think you can overlook the "Thursday night factor" as some above suggested. 

Auburn should have a good 8-9 win season, but the defense will have to be much improved to do better than that with the schedule they face, and injuries are inevitable in the SEC.  I am leaning toward a small play on MSU because we just cannot tell enough with one game played against weak opponents.  Auburn is certainly capable, but I feel their fans are a little heavy into the Kool Aid at this point.   GL to all the bettors.    MSU and the points----1 unit play

Bulldogs 34-27

Auburn - 35                                   Mississippi St - 31

Tigers -1.5                               over 54.5

This score could certainly flip-flop with the Bulldogs pulling off the mild upset. But I'll lose my money on the Tigers, who are 8-2 straight up in their last 10 vs the Bulldogs. GL

Wiseguy,

Keep posting your locks. You got some skill, keep em coming when you see them.

Sharp, second stringers were used and Arky State primarily used a passing attack.  Nevertheless, I am concerned because it was freakin Arkansas State!!

Also, Auburn qb Cam Newton was coached by now Miss St coach Dan Mullen when they were both at Florida.  Newton was dismissed from the Gators for buying a stolen a laptop and transferred to a community college.  Mullen recruited him hard to Miss St but he ultimately chose Auburn.  Mullen knows this boy very well and that can work in States favor in defending this electric offense.

kaje

Having said that, I am a homer through and through

WAR EAGLE  -2