Three Keys For Mississippi State In The Egg Bowl
About the only thing that's predictable about the Egg Bowl is its unpredictability. Take last year's game for example. Will Rogers passed for two touchdowns and Mississippi State stopped a potential game-tying two-point conversion with 1:25 remaining as the Bulldogs held on for a 24-22 victory over rival Ole Miss, which was ranked No. 20 at the time.
Of course, most of the coaching drama was on the other side, as rumors were flying that Lane Kiffin might leave for Auburn.
Here are the keys for State, under interim coach Greg Knox:
1. Control The Pace
Ole Miss and Kiffin are known for their explosive, high-tempo offense. The Rebels are at their best when they get chunk plays and catch the defense out of position.
MSU must force Ole Miss into long sustained drives while avoiding plays of 10+ yards. Doing that also means the Bulldogs must stop the Rebel running attack, which we will expound on next.
2. Control The Line Of Scrimmage
Last year, a big key to the Bulldogs' win was the domination the Bulldogs had upfront. MSU did not allow Ole Miss to have explosive plays, as mentioned previously, and by doing that, they neutralized the tempo they love to play with.
Also, on the offensive line, the Bulldogs need to win. MSU has struggled on offense for two months, but if you can run the ball effectively, it can mask a lot of other inefficiencies.
If the MSU defensive and offensive line win their matchups, then the Bulldogs have an excellent shot to win the game.
3. Weather The Storm
Ole Miss seemingly scores on their first drive every game, and if it happens, the Bulldogs must stay composed. MSU must settle into the game and play within themselves because Ole Miss will come out fast and try to win the game in the first quarter.
MSU will not win the game in the first quarter. They will have to win it in the fourth quarter. If the Bulldogs can be within a score in the fourth quarter, then they are right in position to pull the upset.
This game means a lot to many people, and Bulldog players understand this. They cannot let the pressure of this moment overcome them.
If the Bulldogs can play their game and control the tempo, it will be another shocking chapter in the historic Egg Bowl.
