The Spotlight is On...

The Bulldogs take on the Houston Cougars this Saturday, and it's fair to say the spotlight is on this game. The game has big implications on both sides of the ball, as Houston looks to defend the fourth longest home-winning-streak in the NCAA at 18 wins, and the Bulldogs look to grab a win that would have a definite impact on their hopes for a post-season game in Dec/Jan.

So yes, The Spotlight is On...

You know the one thing you're fighting to hold,
Will be the one thing you've got to let go.
And when you feel the wall cannot be burned,
You're gonna die to try what can't be done.
Gonna say stay out but you don't care.
Now is there nothing like that inside of you anywhere?

Oh just take the fall...
You're one of us.
The spotlight is on!

As I mentioned last week, MSU can ill afford to give up a game during this stretch if they intend to go Bowling for Dollars this year. This game has been circled on the calendar since some suspicious officiating and costly turnovers lost the game for the Bulldogs last year. At the start of the season this looked to be a great 'acid test' for MSU facing off against Case Keenum and the high-powered Houston offense. But unfortunately for the Cougars both Keenum and their 2nd string QB Cotton Turner were injured against the Bruins earlier in the season, leaving Houston to start their true freshman QB Terrance Broadway. And the hits just keep on comin', as Houston also loses top receiver James Clevleand for "a violation of team rules." (don't you just love obscure sports-speak? reminds me of Press-Hop...)

MSU looks to be relatively healthy on both sides of the ball this week with the exception of Nick Bell (brain mass, removed) and Marcus Green (torn ACL). Expect the Bulldogs to keep their fingers crossed, knock on wood, and maybe sacrifice a live chicken or two to keep the winning streak alive.

KEYS TO THE GAME -

OFFENSE -
Mississippi State must move the chains and take care of the ball. Simple and straight forward, nothing fancy needed to walk away with the win here. Limit turnovers and get some consistent production from Relf (or Russell, if you're feeling lucky, Dan) and the O-line. Relf should be able to tuck the ball and run to pick up a few first downs if the pocket collapses, and if he can connect on a deep ball or two to keep the D honest then things will be going the Bulldogs' way. It also wouldn't hurt if Ballard broke a run or two like Dixon did last season.

DEFENSE -
Control the corners! MSU has done an admirable job of stopping the run this season, especially up the middle, but they are soft around the edges. The Bulldogs must tighten down on the ends and hold their own in the secondary if they are to control the flow of this game. Are Keenum and Cleveland big losses for Houston's offense? Sure. Does that mean the Houston won't be able to move the ball? Don't count on it. Bryce Beall will carry a large portion of the load, and he is a quality running back. If MSU cannot lock down the edges Beall could break for a couple of game-changing runs.

BOTTOM LINE -
EXECUTION. No, not that kind of execution, the kind that allows MSU to move the chains and hang on to the ball. Relf cannot loft airy passes out over the center of the field. Ballard, Perkins, et al must hold on to the football. The O and D lines must make all of their assignments properly. Do these things and MSU walks away winning handily. Fail to execute at key times and the Bulldogs will drop a costly win to an out-of-conference team and make their up-hill climb to the postseason that much more difficult. The spotlight is on!

WILD AND WOOLLY PREDICTION -
MSU 45 UH 27

REALISTIC PREDICTION -
MSU 30 UH 27