Mississippi State @ Auburn preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 9, 2010 ) Auburn 17, Mississippi State 14

THE STORY: A different year, a different story for Auburn. The defending national champions narrowly dodged an upset bid from Utah State in its season opener, and now the 22nd-ranked Tigers face a stern challenge against No. 17 Mississippi State in the SEC opener on Saturday. Auburn needed two touchdowns in the final 2:07 to beat the Aggies 42-38 last week. Michael Dyer’s 1-yard run with 30 seconds left kept Auburn from becoming the first defending champ to lose its opener since 1998.

Mississippi State experienced a much easier start, setting a school record for most total yards in a 59-14 rout of Memphis. Vick Ballard fueled the Bulldogs’ 645-yard performance, rushing for a career-high 166 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries to earn SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Quarterback Chris Relf added 202 yards passing and two touchdowns for the Bulldogs, who won nine games last season yet finished fifth in the six-team SEC West.
The Tigers won last year 17-14 in Starkville, and have won nine of the past 10 against the Bulldogs.

TV: SEC Network. LINE: Mississippi State +7.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (1-0): Mississippi State rushed for 309 yards against Memphis, the 25th time in the past 26 games the Bulldogs have topped 100 yards rushing. Relf added 51 yards rushing against Memphis, as the Bulldogs scored on nine of their 17 drives. Dating back to last season, Mississippi State has scored 30 or more points in each of its past four games.

ABOUT AUBURN (1-0): The Tigers do own the longest winning streak in the FBS at 16 games, but gave up 448 yards of total offense and 27 first downs to Utah State. Barrett Trotter completed 17-of-23 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns in his first start, and stayed poised during the Tigers’ furious comeback. Tre Mason earned SEC Co-Freshmen of the Week honors, returning four kickoffs for 176 yards, including a 97-yard touchdown.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mississippi State’s No. 17 ranking is its highest since the second week of the 2001 season.

2. Auburn is 17-1 in its past 18 SEC openers.

3. The last time the Bulldogs and Tigers met when both teams were ranked was in 2000. No. 20 Mississippi State beat No. 13 Auburn 17-10 in Starkville.

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 31, Auburn 21 – There will be no miracle comeback for the Tigers this week, as the Bulldogs have too much offense with Ballard and Relf.