Four Downs
Sports Editor Collin Brister (@CollinBrister) and football beat writer Cody Thomason (@TheCodyThomason) discuss questions regarding the Egg Bowl this week and provide a prediction to the game’s outcome
1. With Ole Miss losing 5 consecutive games in Davis Wade Stadium, what will the Rebels have to do differently this time to come out with a win?
Cody: Ole Miss will have to limit their turnovers and not beat themselves. In Freeze’s only game at Davis-Wade Stadium, the Rebels lost 10-17 and had four turnovers on the day. The Rebels will have to limit those mistakes and try to contain Dak Prescott, who is they key to the Bulldogs offense.
Collin: They have to block. When you look at the losses in Starkville you find one thing, they get dominated at the line of scrimmage. Ole Miss simply could not block Chris Jones in 2013. If the Rebels are going to be successful this weekend, they’re going to have to control the line and rush the football consistently.
2. With it being Dak Prescott”s senior night, how much does that play into the game?
Cody: Prescott has had a great career at Mississippi State and will doubtlessly want to go out with an egg bowl victory. Prescott is reaching the end of his best season to date, and will certainly be playing with more energy and heightened emotion, but if the Rebels play well they should still be able to slow him down.
Collin: If you look at it, this is one of the few reasons people are picking Mississippi State. Dak Prescott has been huge for Mississippi State and is arguably the best player in Mississippi State’s history. It will be tough for the Rebels to win on senior night in Starkville.
3. What is the biggest concern for Ole Miss going into the egg bowl
Cody: The biggest concern is the same as it has been for the past three years: How to stop Dak Prescott. Last season Ole Miss did a pretty good job containing him, holding him to just two touchdowns. This year the secondary isn’t quite as strong so it will be even tougher.
Collin: It’s the secondary. If Ole Miss can cover, they’re going to win. They should be able to get pressure on Prescott, and Ole Miss’ ends are athletic enough to keep Dak inside of the pocket and not let him make too many plays with his legs. If the secondary can cover, it will make it extremely hard for Mississippi State to move the football with their lack of a running game.
4. What would a victory in Starkville mean to Ole Miss?
Cody: It would be a big way to send out the seniors on the team, and it would significantly improve the Rebels standing for bowl games as well. Ole Miss would be enjoying a big rivalry win and have some momentum going into their final game of the season, along with the added bonus of a years worth of bragging rights.
Collin: It would mean everything. Ole Miss hasn’t maintained a winning streak in this rivalry since 2003, and if Ole Miss could win in Starkville this year, they would definitely have the upper hand going into the egg bowl next year with Prescott leaving the Bulldog program.
Prediction
Cody: Ole Miss 34 Mississippi State 27
Collin: Ole Miss 31 Mississippi State 28
