Good Friday afternoon, Dawg fans!! We are once again nearing another weekend of exciting college football action. The fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs have made their way to Starkville, Mississippi, for another SEC matchup against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Georgia is coming off a come-from-behind 24–20 win over the Florida Gators, while Mississippi State is fresh off a close 38–35 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks. Tomorrow’s game is scheduled for a televised start time of 12:00 p.m. ET and can be viewed on ESPN.
I’ll be honest, I’m pretty nervous about this one. Georgia has yet to put together a complete game, and I’m beginning to believe what we’ve seen from this year’s team is just who they are. It’s usually not pretty, but they win. They’re a high-floor team with a lower ceiling compared to the Georgia squads we’ve seen over the past few years.
The Georgia defense will need one of its better performances of the season tomorrow. The Dawgs have continued to struggle getting to the quarterback, ranking 130th in the country in team sacks with just eight. That could pose a serious problem against a Mississippi State offense that loves to throw the ball, especially off play-action.
The State offense is led by super-senior quarterback Blake Shapen, who has been solid in head coach Jeff Leby’s system, throwing for 2,148 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Though the stats don’t fully show it, Shapen is also a capable runner who can extend plays outside the pocket. Georgia’s defense will need to pressure him consistently and keep him contained.
If Georgia’s defense can do its job and limit the Mississippi State offense, there’s a real chance the Dawgs could win this game by multiple touchdowns. The Georgia offense should have success against a lackluster State defense that currently ranks 69th in total defense, 94th in rushing defense, and 54th in passing yards allowed. Those numbers suggest Georgia should be able to score at will and lean heavily on the run game with Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens, who have formed a strong one-two punch out of the backfield, combining for 840 yards and seven total touchdowns on the ground. Add that production to Gunner Stockton’s ability to run and pass effectively, and it could be a big offensive day for Georgia.
Also, it’s time for the general college football media to put some respect on Gunner Stockton’s name and insert him into the Heisman conversation. Stockton has totaled 2,066 yards, 19 touchdowns, only two interceptions, and holds the fourth-best QBR in the country at 89.0. He’s willed this Georgia team to multiple wins this season, and for him not to even be in the top ten on most Heisman boards is absolutely criminal.
Prediction: Georgia 35, Mississippi State 24
I feel like this one will be a tough battle for three quarters, with Georgia eventually pulling away in the fourth to secure a big road win. Credit to Mississippi State, though, even with a 5–4 record, there’s a world where this team could easily be 8–1. They’ve suffered some heartbreaking one-possession losses to Texas, Florida, and Tennessee, two coming in overtime.
As mentioned earlier, I’m not sure Georgia is going to get much better than what we’ve seen so far this year. They just keep finding ways to win, and that’s what matters at the end of the day, but if they want to make a legitimate push for a national title, they need to find another gear. Maybe this is the game where they prove me wrong and finally break through that low ceiling.
Have a great rest of your Friday, and enjoy the weekend. As always, GO DAWGS!
