Scott Field at Davis-Wade Stadium is a pre-game sellout for the first time since the 1999 Egg Bowl going into this weekend’s tilt against Alabama. Until this week, State had not sold out the expanded version of the stadium which now holds 55,082. The city of Starkville is alive with anticipation for Saturday. The Bulldogs are one win away from being bowl eligible for the first time since the 2000 season, something many Bulldog fans had given on.
Nobody could be blamed for writing off this season early on. A 7-turnover performance from starter Michael Henig against LSU in the season opener; Henig breaking a bone in his throwing hand on the first possession of the Auburn game; a familiar letdown after a bad play against South Carolina; back-to-back losses to Tennessee and West Virginia. If it could go wrong, it pretty much did.
But running backs Anthony Dixon and Christian Ducre kept hope alive for State behind a solid offensive line and true freshman quarterback Wesley Carroll’s poise and efficient game management. The defense has once again played well enough to keep us in games, and the offense has finally started to take advantage of turnovers.
State is coming off a much needed bye week. Alabama is coming off a heartbreaking and very physical loss to LSU. State needs the win to become bowl eligible. Everyone who knows anything about State now also knows that Carroll is just two pass attempts away from setting the NCAA freshman record for number of pass attempts without an interception. Alabama’s pride is wounded after losing last weekend to LSU and still remembers losing to this State squad last year. Revenge is on their mind.
No doubt Scott Field will be absolutely electric Saturday morning as the teams take the field. Something has to give.
Mississippi State: 27 — Alabama: 19
