First Glance: Texas A&M Aggies vs.. Mississippi State Bulldogs

What You Need to Know:

• Mississippi State is playing good football at home under the protection of Clanga; however, it is a different story when the Bulldogs hit the road. Mississippi State has the same overall record as the Aggies at 5-2 but is only 2-2 in conference. Mississippi State started conference play with a big 37-7 win at home against LSU. Then promplty dropped the next two road games to Georgia and Auburn; allowing a combined 80 points and only mustering up a combined 13. Mississippi State did blow out Kentucky at home last week, 45-7.
• Mississippi State is 1-2 in road games this year, with the lone win coming against Louisiana Tech during the second week of the season.
• Texas A&M fell to 67th in total offense with 402 YPG (94th in passing YPG; 31st in rushing YPG); while Mississippi State is ranked 47th in total offense with 442 YPG (107th in passing YPG; 13th in rushing YPG).
• Texas A&M is 5-2 (3-1 SEC) and rested up after the bye week.
• The Mississippi State SBNation fansite is For Whom the Cowbells Toll. Clanga on over to learn about the Bulldogs.

Betting Lines:

• The lines opened with Mississippi State as a +2 underdog. The game has moved to a pick em since.
• Mississippi State is 5-2 against the spread; while Texas A&M is 4-3 ATS.
• Mississippi State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road; but is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games vs Texas A&M.
• The over has hit 4 out of the last 6 times Mississippi State and Texas A&M have played each other.

Historical Notes:

• Texas A&M and Mississippi State have played each other 10 times and the all-time series is split at 5 wins. Since joining the SEC, Texas A&M is 3-2 against Mississippi State.
• The home team has won the last 4 seasons in this series. The last time the visiting team won, Johnny Manziel wore black and melted the Mississippi State Defense in their “Snow Bowl” white uniforms.
• Last year, #4 Texas A&M walked into Starkville and was run out of town by QB Nick Fitzgerald; and lost QB Trevor Knight for a few games due to injury.
• Mississippi State is led by Dan Mullen, who is the second longest tenured coach in the SEC and is currently in his 9th season as head coach of the Bulldogs. Mullen was given a 4-year extension earlier this year.
• Mississippi State was once known as Mississippi A&M, and Mississippi State students were originally called Aggies, then Maroons, and officially became the Bulldogs in 1961
• Mississippi State uses a live English Bulldog, named Bully, as a mascot. The first Bully joined the team in 1935. The current Bully is Bully XXI.
• Famous Bulldogs include author John Grisham, Cowboys’ QB Dak Prescott, MLB Manager Buck Showalter, Founder of Viking Range Corp Fred Carl Jr., and Rafael Palmeiro. Leave your favorites in the comments section.

Bulldogs to Watch:

Nick Fitzgerald, QB, 6’5” 230 lbs

The Bulldogs are a running team, and use the massive Fitzgerald as an effective runner. Last week against Kentucky, Fitzgerald ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Fitzgerald has accounted for 20 touchdowns this season with 11 through the air and 9 on the ground. Fitzgerald leads all Bulldogs in rushing with 561 yards. Last year, the Aggies were unable to slow Fitzgerald down and will have to find a way this year to keep the home team streak alive.

Jace Christmann, K, 6’0” 195 lbs

Jace is a freshman kicker from Houston, Texas who is 6 for 6 on field goals and 20 for 20 on extra points this season. Although Jace has been solid kicking for the Bulldogs this season, he hasn’t had to win any games with his legs in a last second field goal type situation. However, he has shown that he is accurate and steady to get the job done.

Media Blitz:

• Venue: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
• Game Time: 6:15 pm CT
• Channel: ESPN

Newsreel:

• Armani Watts was named a mid-season All-American by CBS Sports.
• Texas A&M opponents have scored first in six of seven games and the Aggies have rallied from second-half deficits to win in four games this year. Other notables in the article.

Weather:

• Forecast calls for a clear day with temperatures dipping into the mid 50s by kickoff.