Auburn Football vs. MSU: Q&A with Editor of Maroon & White Nation
In preparation for Auburn football vs. Mississippi State this weekend, we asked the editor of Maroon & White Nation five questions about the upcoming game.
There is no doubt that Auburn football has a lot riding on this game against Mississippi State this weekend in Starkville.
If the Tigers are going to have a successful season, they have to get a win over a Mississippi State team that is struggling to find its identity after losing Dak Prescott.
Here are five questions that we asked Josh Barnhill – editor at Maroon & White Nation:
1. After starting out the season with a disappointing loss to South Alabama, what are the feelings from the fan base for the rest of the season? What would make this a successful year now for the Bulldogs?
Feelings were pretty bad after losing to South Alabama, but rebounded a bit after playing well against South Carolina.
Right now, if State can just find a way to get to 6-6 that would be a success – making this game against Auburn as close to a must-win as it can get.
This is a rebuilding year, we just hoped it wouldn’t include losing to a team like South Alabama.
2. It looks like Nick Fitzgerald is the guy at quarterback, what does he bring to the team that make’s Mississippi State’s offense more dynamic?
He’s an excellent runner – very fast and very quick.
He also brings back the option game, which disappeared with Tyler Russell at quarterack and to a lesser extend Dak Prescott as well – although we haven’t seen a lot of option plays.
Fitz can throw pretty well, but his accuracy hasn’t been great.
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3. What is the identity of this Mississippi State team? Is it on offense, or is it on defense?
That’s a good question because I’m not sure we really know.
If I had to grade both of them right now it would be a “C.” They have the talent to get a “B,” but both sides of the ball are too inconsistent with their youth for that grade right now.
Offensively the strength is Fitzgerald running and the wide receivers, while weaknesses are the offensive line and running backs. Defensively the strength is the front seven and the secondary is very vulnerable.
4. Who are some players for Mississippi State that Auburn fans need to be aware of this weekend that could make a difference?
Look out for Fred Ross and Donald Gray at wide receiver – they are the main targets. On defense, A.J. Jefferson at defensive end has been solid and Leo Lewis at linebacker.
5. If a bulldog and a tiger were to actually face off, tell me what kind of advantage – if any – a bulldog would have in that fight?
Well, Auburn doesn’t have a live tiger so shouldn’t it be a bulldog vs. an eagle? In that case, clearly Bully will lure the eagle to fly into some Plexiglas and then win the fight.
Obviously Josh is not aware of how crazy our eagle is. I think Bully would have a better chance against a live tiger.
Thanks for answering our questions.
War Eagle!