Louisiana Tech @ Mississippi State preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2008 ) Mississippi State 14, Louisiana Tech 22

THE STORY: After two straight conference losses, Mississippi State looks to put together a consistent effort when it hosts Louisiana Tech from the Western Athletic Conference in a battle of the Bulldogs. Mississippi State dropped out of the Top 25 after struggling to generate much offense in a 19-6 loss to LSU on Sept. 15. Louisiana Tech is picking up the pieces after blowing a 27-point lead in the final 20 minutes to lose 35-34 against visiting Houston last week. Each of its first three games has been decided by six points or less.

TV: ESPNU. LINE: Mississippi State -19.5

ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (1-2): The Bulldogs are scoring points behind 17-year-old freshman quarterback Nick Isham, who has thrown for 693 yards but has as many touchdowns (three) as interceptions. Wide receiver Quinton Patton averages 129 yards, and running back Lennon Creer is fourth in the WAC with 110 rushing yards per game. The team’s immediate concern is its pass defense, which is ranked last in the conference and 113th nationally with 316 yards per game allowed. Senior defensive lineman Christian Lacey has two sacks in the first three games, and he made a career-high six tackles against Houston.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (1-2): Coach Dan Mullen replaced quarterback Chris Relf with backup Tyler Russell in the fourth quarter against LSU, but he said Relf remains the team’s starter. Mississippi State was held to less than 100 yards rushing for the first time in 17 games, and the offensive line has been banged up all season. While left tackle James Carmon is expected to return from an MCL sprain, right guard Tobias Smith suffered a season-ending injury against LSU. The Bulldogs are ranked third in the SEC with 231 rushing yards per game, but they may look to establish the passing game against Louisiana Tech’s porous secondary. On defense, linebacker Cam Lawrence leads the team with 3.5 tackles for a loss, and he is second on the team with 24 tackles.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mississippi State leads the series 7-3, but Louisiana Tech has won the last two, including the last meeting 22-14 in 2008.

2. Louisiana Tech leads the nation in punt returns with a 38.5-yard average.

3. Mississippi State’s coaches are high on redshirt freshman running back Nick Griffin, who could make his season debut Saturday after having knee surgery in the spring.

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 34, Louisiana Tech 17 - If Louisiana Tech is able to put last week’s devastating loss to Houston behind them, this could be a competitive game for a while. Mississippi State should pull away in the second half, however.