#2 Auburn at #3 Mississippi State Preview and Predictions

Sep 14, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive back Jonathon Mincy (6) breaks up a pass to Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Joe Morrow (16) at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Interesting Facts

• This is Auburn’s fourth “Top 5 showdown” in their last nine games.
• Mississippi State is Auburn’s 7th ranked opponent in the last 10 games. The Tigers finished 2013 against #25 Georgia, #1 Alabama, #5 Missouri and #1 Florida State, and have faced #20 Kansas State and #15 LSU this year. Of those six games, only Kansas State was a true road game.
• Mississippi State is ranked in the AP Top Ten for the first time since 1999, when they peaked at #8 for two weeks in November before losing to Alabama.
• CBS is broadcasting the game in Starkville. Mississippi State hasn’t played a home game on CBS since November 5, 2005, when they lost to #4 Alabama, 17-0.
• The last time Auburn was ranked in the top ten when playing Mississippi State was, ironically, one of the worst (and most hilarious) games of all time: the 2008 “TuberCroom Bowl.” 9th-ranked Auburn missed two field goals and fumbled the ball three times. Mississippi State had six first downs and 116 yards of total offense. In total, both teams combined for 431 yards, 20 first downs and one ruining of a sport. Auburn infamously won, 3-2.
• Auburn is 12-5-1 against Mississippi State in Starkville. Mississippi State won their first home game against Auburn in Starkville but didn’t win again until 1992. Mississippi State beat Auburn in the most recent meeting in Starkville (that was in 2012, but who didn’t beat Auburn in 2012?). Before 2012, Auburn had won five straight games at Mississippi State.
• The Bulldogs have jumped out to big leads in big games this year. In their last three games against South Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M, the Bulldogs have built leads of 35-3, 34-10 and 48-17, respectively.
• Auburn’s 34-point win over LSU last week was their largest win of all time against an AP Top 15 opponent.
• Mississippi State’s 17-point win over Texas A&M was their largest win of all time against an AP Top 10 opponent.
• Auburn and Mississippi State have been different teams in the 4th quarter this year. Auburn has been successful, outscoring opponents 62-14. Mississippi State hasn’t been as strong in the final 15 minutes, as they’e been outscored 40-17 this season.