Saturday’s showdown between Mississippi State and Middle Tennessee State leads the Bulldogs to a familiar part of the country. The Bulldogs will have the same hotel accommodations they had for the Vanderbilt game. For those who have forgotten, Vanderbilt was the Bulldogs’ last win.
This game marks the third time the two teams have faced off, and the Bulldogs hold a 3-0 lead in the series.
This series is not without history as MSU served as MTSU’s first FBS Division opponent in 1999 when the Blue Raiders made the jump up from the FCS Division.
The contest with MTSU is Mississippi State’s last non-SEC game. Heading down the stretch, the Bulldogs face the gauntlet with No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Alabama – not to mention division rivals Arkansas and Ole Miss.
Looking at the rigorous schedule has led some fans and analysts to believe this could be a trap game for the Bulldogs if they look ahead to some of the more reputable opponents.
Senior running back Anthony Dixon said he does not share such beliefs.
“We know we have to go up to Middle Tennessee, and they aren’t going to be pushovers, especially in their house,
he said. “We definitely have to work and be ready.”
The Blue Raiders have been inconsistent this season, but they have definitely not been pushovers. MTSU upset Maryland 32-31 at Maryland and dominated Memphis 31-14.
MTSU possesses a potent offensive attack featuring junior quarterback Dwight Dasher who accounts for a respectable 253 passing yards a game, while leading his team in rushing with 59.5 yards per game as well.
Dasher holds the keys to Blue Raiders offense, but his leading receiver Patrick Honeycutt is questionable for the game after an alcohol-related arrest. The Blue Raiders are not the only team with off-field issues.
MSU’s sophomore quarterback Chris Relf remains a question mark following a suspension prior to the Houston game.
Mullen said Relf’s status is determined but will remain unknown to the fans and media prior to the game.
“Chris Relf, I know where his status is, but we don’t release, we don’t discuss discipline issues with the media, you guys should know that already,” Mullen said.
In contrast to the talent at skilled positions, the MTSU offensive line is a weakness the Bulldogs need to expose. The Blue Raider’s starting offensive tackles are 253 pounds and 281 pounds respectively, which should help the Bulldogs create some mismatches and get in the Blue Raider backfield.
Applying pressure and forcing the quarterback to make hurried decisions is the best way to create turnovers, and Charles Mitchell said pressure has been an area of focus for the Bulldog defense.
“We are trying to focus on execution and attention to detail,” Mitchell said. “They are a vertical passing team, so we have been practicing defending the deep balls . . . stressing running to the ball and applying pressure on the quarterback to try and force some turnovers.”
The Bulldogs certainly need to focus on forcing turnovers or at least limiting them. Mississippi State has turned the ball over 18 times and forced only 10 – good for 109th nationally in turnover ratio.
Mullen said he blames himself for the excessive blunders.
“Turnovers are something we preach, and obviously. I’m doing a real poor job as a head coach in doing that,” Mullen said.
Nice coach-speak from the first year head man, but saying the right things will not get the hay bailed. The Bulldogs have shot themselves in the foot for three weeks in a row.
MSU has the best offense it has had in years, ranking 44th overall in total offense for the season.
However, the offensive production has not translated into victories, and Dixon said he is ready to correct these issues.
“Coach has showed us we have outgained our opponents a lot of times,” Dixon said. “We’re physically winning games, but the turnovers are killing us. We’ve got some things to correct, and we’re gonna take off.”
Despite the turnovers and recent heartbreakers, the Bulldogs are favored against the Blue Raiders.
Though the Bulldogs are desperate for a win, MTSU is fighting to be bowl eligible. A victory would put the Blue Raiders in good position at 4-2 midway through the season.
Teams all around the NCAA circle the date on the schedule when an SEC team comes to town. Mullen said he knows MTSU will be gunning for an upset.
“And it’s going to be a big game for them at home,” Mullen said.