Jackson Free Press

Before this weekend’s games kickoff, let’s have some fun with numbers. What are the most important numbers in all of sports? The score.

You can’t have a winner or a loser without the score, and every game counts in college football, so the score means nearly everything. Let’s look at the numbers of the big four teams in this state before their games this weekend.

Mississippi State University plays Louisiana State University at 6 p.m. on ESPN2. The Bulldogs might want work on http://msstate_ftp.sidearmsports.com/stats/fb/2016/teamcume.htm">playing a full 60 minutes. In its two games, MSU has scored 41 points and has given up zero points in the first half. After the break, the Bulldogs have scored just six points and have given up 28.

MSU has the fast-start part down, but playing for four full quarters has eluded this team. Against LSU, the Bulldogs need to start fast and finish strong if they are going to pull off the upset.

The University of Mississippi faces the University of Alabama in what might be the most anticipated game in the SEC. The Rebels are looking to win three straight games against the Crimson Tide. Watch this clash at 2:30 p.m. on CBS.

In eight quarters of football, the Rebels have failed to score in only one. They also have the quick-start down by http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2016-2017/teamcume.html">outscoring their opponents 52 to 16. But they did struggle in the second half against Florida State University in their first game of the season.

Against the Crimson Tide, UM will have a second chance to have a strong second half against a highly ranked foe. Just like MSU against LSU, the Rebels’ play in the second half will be worth watching.

Jackson State University is still looking for the first win of the Tony Hughes era. JSU will try to get that win against SWAC rival Grambling State University. Watch the game at 6 p.m. on ESPN3, and ESPNU will replay it at 9:30 p.m..

While the Rebels and Bulldogs have been great at the fast start, the Tigers need some work on their first half performance. JSU has been http://www.swac.org//ViewContent.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27400&CONTENT_ID=1878465">outscored 61 to 33 in the first half of the team's first two games. The second half hasn’t been much kinder to JSU. The Tigers have been outscored 42 to six after the break. Overall, JSU has been outscored 103 to 39 this season.

JSU is one of three SWAC teams that is still looking for their first win of the season. Mississippi Valley State University and Southern University are also looking theirs.

The Tigers are only averaging 19.5 points per game and are allowing an average of 51.5 points per game. Starting SWAC play is a great time for JSU to reverse those numbers.

No team in the country might be on more of a roll than the University of Southern Mississippi. The Golden Eagles will try to keep a couple of streaks alive against the University of Troy. Watch this game at 6 p.m. on beIN Sports Network.

Since the University of http://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400868973">Kentucky took a 35-10 lead against USM, the Golden Eagles have scored 90 unanswered points. Southern Miss scored 34 unanswered points against the Wildcats and http://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400869356">56 against Savannah State University.

USM hasn’t http://www.southernmiss.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2016-2017/teamcume.html">given up any points in the second half this entire season. Sure, it is only two games into the season, but that is a heck of a streak. The Golden Eagles also have played six straight quarters where they held their opponent scoreless.

Southern Miss is one of two Conference USA teams left undefeated. The other is Marshall University, which has played just one game this season. USM has scored in seven of eight quarters this season, with the fourth quarter against Savannah State being the only goose egg.