State of Play: Georgia to face a pesky Mississippi State squad
Mississippi State is like that last remaining pesky mosquito in your backyard. You paid for a service to get rid of them, yet one somehow survived. The little jerk keeps flying around your head, and you swat at it, but you keep missing. It keeps coming back for more and somehow survives again.
In the end, you finally land a knockout blow — or smack — to end your and its misery. But it didn’t go down without a fight.
That’s how Mississippi State has been in the bulk of its games this season. The SEC’s other Bulldogs are 5-4 overall but have seen five of its six Power 4 games be decided by one score. In those games, Mississippi State is 2-3, with wins over Arizona State and Arkansas, and losses to Tennessee, Florida and Texas.
Georgia now gets to pleasure of traveling to Cowbell City for a noon kickoff against Mississippi State. Mississippi State is likely to give Georgia everything it can handle and then some. Georgia, winners of four straight since its loss to Alabama, must be prepared for a four-quarter battle against an up-and-coming program that has been close to slaying a giant in 2025.
The key to the game
Mississippi State led Tennessee 34-27 in the fourth quarter before going to overtime and losing. Mississippi State also happened to lead Texas 38-21 in the fourth quarter and also losing. While it didn’t win either game, Mississippi State showed its feisty and can be competitive against good competition. First, Georgia must not enter this game with any kind of complacency. Mississippi State is a good team. It may not be ready to compete for a conference title or a playoff spot, but it’s competitive and tough.
Given Georgia’s struggles defensively, the key for Georgia should be to salt this one on the ground. Mississippi State’s biggest weakness is against the run, ranking 15th in the conference by allowing 162.1 rushing yards per game. If Georgia’s offensive line can provide a consistent push, Chauncey Bowens and Nate Frazier should be able to control the tempo of this game. And of course, Georgia cannot afford any turnovers.
If Georgia is able to limit turnovers, win the time of possession battle with the run and get a handful of stops, that should be enough to escape Starkville with a win.
Ringing the Bell
Early this season, veteran receiver Dillon Bell seemed seldom used. In recent weeks, there has been a significant uptick in his usage.
Over the past three games against Kentucky, Ole Miss and Florida, Bell caught 10 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown. He added two rushing touchdowns against Kentucky as well. While Noah Thomas caught a touchdown last week, expect for Bell to continue seeing more targets moving forward.
SEC Everest
Chasing the summit: Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss
A camp behind: Texas, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, Missouri
Advanced base camp: Oklahoma
Base camp: Mississippi State
Quitting time: LSU, Auburn
Do they have to play another game?: South Carolina, Florida
Stop, they’re already dead: Kentucky, Arkansas
Games of note
No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 22 Missouri: If the Aggies care about the College Football Playoff rankings, they have a right to be upset at being behind both Ohio State and Indiana. If the Aggies actually care about the College Football rankings at this stag of the season, then their full attention won’t be focused on a good Missouri squad.
LSU at No. 4 Alabama: The Tigers are playing for pride and to ruin some seasons. They’d love nothing more than to shock the Crimson Tide this Saturday.
No. 9 Oregon at No. 20 Iowa: The Hawkeyes are very much in the playoff picture. A win would catapult them up next week’s College Football Playoff rankings with USC up next. The Ducks need this win as the Penn State victory doesn’t look so hot now.
ICYMI
Georgia’s working around losing defensive lineman Jordan Hall.
Jim Donnan previews Georgia’s upcoming game against Mississippi State.
Earnest Greene’s return pays off for Georgia.
Dawg Tracks: 15 thoughts heading into Georgia-Mississippi State.