KEY BULLDOG
These are the games Benardrick McKinney was made for. A week after recording nine tackles in a 48-31 victory against then-No. 6 Texas A&M, McKinney, MSU’s middle linebacker, who leads the team with 35 tackles this season, gets a break from a five-wide passing attack and will man the middle against an offense that wants to establish the run early and often.
To do that against MSU, though, that means going through McKinney, who had a season-high 12 tackles and three tackles for loss against Alabama-Birmingham.
WHAT MUST IMPROVE
While MSU’s passing defense still needs to improve statistically — the Bulldogs are last in the Southeastern Conference in allowing 328.2 passing yards per game — those statistics are misleading. Then-No. 8 LSU and then-No. 6 Texas A&M believed the Bulldogs would be susceptible against the pass, and both trailed by 20-plus points entering the fourth quarter. MSU allowed 365 passing yards to Texas A&M quarterback Kenny Hill, but forced 25 incomplete passes and had three interceptions. But Auburn, which leads the league in scoring in conference play, has big-play wide receivers Dhaquille Williams, Sammie Coates, and Quan Bray who will test MSU on the outside. If MSU’s defensive backs continue to play well despite the bad early season numbers, that could put pressure on the Tigers to move the ball on the ground, into the teeth of a defensive line that is second in the league in allowing 2.89 yards per carry.
STAT TO WATCH
Balance. Auburn and MSU want to be balanced offensively, and the Tigers have been adept at achieving that goal this season. Of Auburn’s 2,486 yards, 1,340 have come on the ground and 1,146 have come through the air. Senior quarterback Nick Marshall has only one interception.
If MSU can prevent Auburn from moving the ball on the ground or in the air, and make Auburn’s offense one-dimensional, it will increase its chances for victory.
A key will be MSU’s ability to adapt to a third offense in as many weeks. That stretch started with the I-form, two-tight end sets of LSU and continued with the five-wideout sets of Texas A&M. This week, Auburn has the ability to mix both.
“They can challenge you at every spot on the defense,” MSU defensive coordinator Geoff Collins said. “(Auburn coach Gus Malzahn) is one of the best play-callers in the country. They know where they want to attack you and they do a great job.”
SURPRISE PLAYER
McKinney gets most of the headlines at linebacker, and sophomore Richie Brown made waves with three interceptions last week against Texas A&M. But sophomore Beniquez Brown might be one of MSU’s most valuable players. Second on the team in tackles behind McKinney with 25, Brown is showing signs of becoming one of MSU’s defensive leaders, evidenced by a key fourth-down stop against Texas A&M. Against Auburn, an offense that wants to spread teams out to open room for its power running game, linebacker responsibility will be key. Don’t be surprised if Beniquez Brown is MSU’s most crucial player Saturday.
STRENGTHS VS. WEAKNESSES
Through five games and two conference games for both teams, not a lot of weaknesses have emerged for Auburn’s offense or MSU’s defense. For the Bulldogs, the poor passing numbers have been a reality since a 435-yard outing by UAB in the second week of the season, but the secondary has had back-to-back impressive efforts against LSU and Texas A&M. Playing most into MSU’s favor Saturday is the fact that Auburn’s biggest strength offensively, running the football, plays into MSU’s biggest strengths on defense. The Bulldogs rank second in the league in rushing yards allowed and yards per carry allowed, and lead the league in tackles for loss.
Auburn, which is fourth in the league in rushing, has averaged 5.58 yards per carry. Tailback Cameron Artis-Payne leads the Tigers with 594 yards and five touchdowns.
“It is a challenge for our defensive guys because there’s really not lots of carry-over from one week to the next,” MSU coach Dan Mullen said. “There’s a lot of carry-over for what we do in what we do ourselves, but in how that applies to the team you’re playing, there’s not a lot of carry-over.”
— Brandon Walker
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.