Through a combination of defense and high Sportsbook expectations, the UNDER has gone 8-2 in the past 10 meetings between Mississippi State and Auburn. The two programs have averaged a combined 44 points per game in that span dating back to 2007, which includes an infamous 3-2 victory for Auburn. Will offense be hard to come by when the Bulldogs and Tigers meet this Saturday in Alabama?
Auburn controlled the tempo when these two programs met last season thanks to its powerful running attack and a suffocating defense. The Tigers ultimately won that one 38-14 with the UNDER cashing for bettors.
Gus Malzahn’s offense needed to find itself again and it did so last week against Mizzou. Auburn scored 51 points while amassing 263 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham proved to be an effective counterbalance to the rushing attack, completing 13 of his 17 passes for one touchdown and no interceptions.
Unlike Auburn, Mississippi State’s offense was completely shut down last week in a 31-3 loss to Georgia. The running game could not get going for Miss State, which forced Nick Fitzgerald to try to beat Georgia through the air – something that was just not happening. When the offense is humming, it is hard to stop but without better playmakers at receiving, teams will be daring Fitzgerald to beat them through the air.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Mississippi State Bulldogs were listed as 9-point underdogs on the Sportsbook NCAA football line at Sportsbook and most sportsbooks tracked by OddsShark. No total was available early in the week; check out the odds pages here or at Sportsbook for updates.
Handicapping prediction models run by the computers at OddsShark picked a 35-30 result in favor of the Tigers. Check the picks page or matchup report during the week as factors may cause that prediction to be re-run. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Auburn Tigers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Auburn battles the Mississippi State Bulldogs, currently with a 3-1 mark (3-1 ATS). The OVER/UNDER records, important for totals betting, are 1-3 for the Tigers and 1-3 for the Bulldogs. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Auburn vs Mississippi State injuries news.
The OddsShark Power Rankings have the Auburn Tigers at No. 13 and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at No. 65 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Auburn's No. 66-ranked offense, averaging 30.5 PPG, against a Mississippi State defense that ranks No. 16 this week at 14.75 PPG. The Auburn aerial game is averaging 211.5 yards per game, more than the Mississippi State Bulldogs secondary allows through the air, 129 YPG per game.
Defensively, the Mississippi State Bulldogs feature the league's No. 75-rated road run defense, allowing 177.5 yards per game. Auburn, meanwhile, ranks No. 24 in rushing offense at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Mississippi State didn't make much of a game of it last time out, losing to the Bulldogs as Georgia blasted them 31-3 in Week 4 action.
Auburn cruised to victory in its last outing, as they ran up a 51-14 score against Missouri at Memorial Stadium-Columbia.
Next Betting Matchups
Mississippi State home to BYU, Saturday, October 14
Auburn home to Ole Miss, Saturday, October 7