Last year’s 3-2 home loss at the hands of Auburn was one of the ugliest defeats in recent memory for the Bulldogs. Poor offensive performances — such as the 116-yard output versus the Tigers in 2008 – play a big role in why Sylvester Croom is gone and Dan Mullen is here. This year, both teams are radically changed, and Mullen said he does not believe last season’s defensive showdown has much bearing on Saturday’s events.
“I don’t think last season’s game has a lot to do with this season’s game,” Mullen said. “Both schools possess new staffs and have new mindsets for their programs, so I am not putting much emphasis on last season’s game.”
Mississippi State looked impressive in its season-opening 45-7 win over Jackson State, but Mullen said Saturday’s contest will prove to be a far greater challenge and could set the tone for the season.
“We go from an in-state, non-conference game to a bordering state, bitter rivalry conference game,” Mullen said. “Everyone’s goal on this team is to win the Western Division and compete for the SEC championship in Atlanta. Our first step starts this Saturday in Auburn.”
First-year Auburn head coach Gene Chizik opened the season last week in convincing fashion, defeating Louisiana Tech 37-13. Auburn’s new offense under coordinator Gus Malzahn paid immediate dividends as the Tigers had two 100-yard rushers and quarterback Chris Todd threw for 255 yards, including a school record 93-yard touchdown pass.
The MSU defense looked strong against JSU, and sophomore safety Charles Mitchell said he does not think the Bulldogs’ secondary – which was at times suspect Saturday – will have trouble against an Auburn offense that was explosive during the Tiger’s season opener.
“We look at Auburn, they’ve got receivers that are all right,” Mitchell said. “I think we’re better than their receivers. They really racked up all their yards on a couple hitch-and-go’s. We’re prepared for all that.”
Mitchell also said the Bulldog defense did not reveal much of its playbook last week, hinting that Auburn may be surprised by what MSU’s defensive unit has in store.
“We didn’t really show anything,” Mitchell said. “We ran a couple of blitzes, and we ran probably three or four coverages. We still have a lot of stuff we haven’t done yet.”
One of the bigger stories in Auburn this offseason was former quarterback Kodi Burns switching positions to wide receiver. Burns has proven to be a talented runner, and Malzahn has packages designed for Burns where he lines up as the wildcat quarterback. Mitchell said he has seen Burns play and knows he is talented, but he is fully confident the defense can handle the elusive Tiger.
“Kodi Burns . he’s an athlete,” Mitchell said. “But, we have 11 athletes on defense.”
One of the most important questions for the Bulldogs this week is if Mullen’s spread offense will continue to progress against a tough SEC opponent. Senior running back Anthony Dixon, fresh off a one-game suspension, will be available to play and should enhance MSU’s rushing attack, which netted 238 yards against JSU. However, sophomore quarterback Chris Relf, who threw for three touchdowns and ran for one, said he believes MSU may have to rely on the passing game to emerge victorious.
“If I make the right reads, I think I’ll be able to run well,” Relf said. “But I think I’m going to get a lot more throwing in there. We’re going to have to throw it; it’s an SEC team.”
Similar to the defense, Relf said he believes the coaching staff revealed very little of the offensive playbook against JSU.
“I don’t think we put that much on the field this past weekend,” he said.
The Bulldog Nation is excited to see Mullen’s team on display for the first time against SEC competition. However, Relf said this game represents more than an SEC opener.
“You know, I’ve got a lot of friends back in Alabama,” the Montgomery native said. “Both ‘Bama and Auburn fans, they’ve been saying I’m gonna get whooped and all that stuff. I gotta show them what I’ve got.”