A couple of schools that prefer to run the football, Head Coach Gus Malzahn and the No. 8 Auburn Tigers (-3) are set to face off against their SEC counterpart Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. ESPN2 has the TV rights and kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Auburn Tigers vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Betting Preview
In this Saturday Southeastern game, Auburn is tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 3 points. The Tigers are also receiving -155 moneyline odds while the Bulldogs are +135. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 45.5 points, and if one school can catch a lucky break early, it will likely produce a worthy in-game betting scenario.
This game’s line opened at 3.5. The O/U has yet to change since being initially posted at 45.5.
The Tigers are 2-3 against the spread (ATS) and are down 3.0 units so far. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U mark of 1-4. The underwhelming Bulldogs have lost 6.0 units this season. The team is 3-2 ATS and has an O/U record of 1-3.
The Tigers are 4-1 straight up (SU), including 1-1 SU against SEC opponents. The Bulldogs are 3-2 SU overall and 0-2 SU in conference play.
Mississippi State enters this contest on a zero-game winning streak while Auburn has lost zero straight. The Tigers are coming off a resounding 24-13 win over Southern Miss last week. Jarrett Stidham completed 19 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns. Kam Martin (90 yards on 24 rush attempts) spearheaded the ground attack. Darius Slayton (five receptions, 91 yards) and Sal Cannella (three catches, 16 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
A week ago, Florida got the win against this Mississippi State crew by a score of 13-6. Nick Fitzgerald completed 11-of-26 passes for 98 yards. Fitzgerald (32 yards on 20 rush attempts) spearheaded the running game while Osirus Mitchell (three receptions, 35 yards) and Deddrick Thomas (two catches, 21 yards) led the Mississippi State pass-catchers in the loss.
Auburn’s run the ball on 61.7 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Mississippi State has a rush percentage of 56.1 percent. The Tigers have run for 179 yards per game (including 111 per game versus Southeastern opponents) and have 13 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Bulldogs are putting up 219 rushing yards per game (80 in conference) and have 13 total rush TDs.
The Tigers offensive scheme has logged 198 yards/game through the air overall (166 per game versus conference opposition) and has five passing scores so far. The Bulldogs have put up 214 pass yards per game (121.5 in the SEC) and have nine total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Auburn has allowed 93 rush yards and 212 pass yards per game. The Mississippi State defense has given up 166.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 120.4 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Tigers have given up an ANY/A of 3.88 to opposing QBs, while the Bulldogs are allowing an ANY/A of 3.75.
Passing-wise, Stidham is up to 829 yards this season, and has connected on 62 percent of his 108 attempts with five passing scores and two interceptions. He’s got a 6.91 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.00 over the last two outings.
On the other sideline, Nick Fitzgerald has completed 36-of-74 passes for 495 yards, four TDs and one INT. Fitzgerald’s ANY/A sits at 5.79 for the season and 2.03 over his past two games.
When these two teams faced each other a year ago, Auburn won easily 49-10.
RELATED: Week 6 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Prediction: Auburn Tigers vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs
SU Winner – Mississippi State, ATS Winner – Mississippi State, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Notes
Mississippi State has lost zero fumbles this season while Auburn has let five get away.
The Auburn defense has 15 sacks on the year while Mississippi State has 14.
As a team, Auburn has produced 2.88181818181818 yards per carry across its past three contests and 2.6 over its last two.
Mississippi State has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over its last three outings and 2.7 over its past two.
In its last three matches, Mississippi State is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Auburn was favored by 28 points in its last game and the Over/Under was 50.5. The under cashed and Auburn failed to cover in the 24-13 victory over Southern Miss.
Over its last three matchups, Auburn is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
Mississippi State was favored by 7 points in its previous outing and the O/U was set at 52. The under cashed and Mississippi State failed to cover in the 13-6 defeat to Florida.
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