Jackson Free Press

As College Gameday prepares for their second visit in Mississippi for the second week in a row, and the first time at Mississippi State, the stakes keep getting higher for the Rebels and Bulldogs. Both teams are tied for third in the AP Top 25 football poll, and the eyes of the football world are once again on the Magnolia State.

Neither the Rebels nor Bulldogs are out of the playoffs with a loss this weekend. That is, unless the voters decide both we're frauds and dump our teams down the polls.

Texas A&M has more at stake this weekend than Ole Miss. The Aggies are coming off a lose to Mississippi State, and a Rebels victory would put an end to Texas A&M's playoff hopes.

Ole Miss must get past the Aggies to get a break in their schedule. Well, at least as much of a break you can get in the SEC.

The Rebels get Tennessee next Saturday at home before traveling to LSU. The Volunteers are an improved football team, and LSU is young but playing in Tiger Stadium is never an easy win.

A win this weekend means the Rebels could climb all the way to up to No. 2 or take sole possession of third place. It would be a step closer to the playoffs and a SEC West title.

Beating the Aggies would leave just Auburn and Mississippi State as the major tests left on the schedule. Sure, Arkansas is in the mix but, even as improved as the Razorbacks are this season, the Rebels should get a win like against LSU and Tennessee.

After this weekend, the road is wide open for the Rebels. Just about all the major stumbling blocks will be out of the way.

Mississippi State has a chance to move up to No. 2 in the nation with a win over Auburn. Much like Ole Miss, the road for the Bulldogs gets a lot lighter for a while after this weekend.

MSU gets Kentucky and Arkansas in SEC action. The Wildcats are improved like the Razorbacks, but that shouldn't trouble the Bulldogs much.

The road gets harder after that with road trips to Alabama and Ole Miss to finish out the season with a home date against Vanderbilt sandwiched between those two games.

This weekend sets up a nice stretch for both the Rebels and Bulldogs. After this weekend, much of the heavy lifting is over.

Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott has the most at stake this weekend. He can become the Heisman front runner with a solid-to-great game and a win. His counterpart Nick Marshall of Auburn could also take the lead.

Prescott can put a lock on the award with his normal play against Auburn. He can lock up the award with big games against Kentucky, Arkansas, and UT-Martin.

Keys to Rebels and Bulldogs wins

Things are easy for the Rebels. Just use the same blueprint that MSU used the week before against Texas A&M. Ole Miss has to get pressure on Kenny Hill on defense and, unless the A&M defense became much better over the week, the Rebels just have to run their offense.

Bo Wallace didn't throw any interceptions against Alabama but did toss three touchdowns. As long as Wallace plays that way, it will be hard to beat the Rebels. Ole Miss also can help their cause with a a few turnovers by their defense.

From what I have watched this season, Auburn has a better defense than LSU and Texas A&M. Mississippi State will have to play good football and avoid dumb mistakes and turnovers. MSU's offense will be even more challenging if Jameon Lewis plays.

Lewis missed the Texas A&M with a leg injury. He is currently a game-time decision.

The Tigers have taken just one road trip this season, which was against Kansas State. Auburn escaped with a 20-14 win over the Wildcats in that lone road trip.

Mississippi State has to do one important thing to beat Auburn: stop the running game.

The Tigers are at their best when they can run at will. Their running game sets up their passing game.

Against Kansas State, Auburn rushed for 128 yards which is 140 yards under their 268 yard rushing average. The Tigers are one of the best rushing teams in the NCAA, and stopping the run game will be the key.

After MSU stops the Auburn rushing attack, the next step is to get pressure on the Tigers quarterback Nick Marshall. The Bulldogs have the defensive line to get quarterback pressure, but they must tackle well and not let Marshall take off and run the ball if he has no receivers open.

Mississippi State has been tested more than Auburn has this season. There is no reason the Bulldogs should fear the tigers.

Predictions:

Ole Miss 54 Texas A&M 31 (Aggies can't stop anyone from scoring and put up a bunch of points themselves.)

Mississippi State 27 Auburn 24 (These two team nearly always play a close game when they meet up.)