Georgia-Mississippi State preview

By Chip Towers

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Three storylines

Ears still ringing. Georgia players have talked all week about how the sound of cowbells still rings in their heads after last season’s 24-12 loss to Mississippi State in Starkville. It was a mistake-filled game for the Bulldogs, who fumbled at the goal line as they were going in for a touchdown, had another score called back on a questionable holding call and had at least two more big plays nullified by penalties. Most of all, State proved the more physical team.

A star in the making? After his 30-carry, 147-yard rushing performance last week at Ole Miss, Georgia freshman tailback Isaiah Crowell clearly gives the Bulldogs a legitimate threat in the running game. He comes into this game averaging 103 yards per game, fourth best among SEC backs. What we don’t know is if Crowell can keep up that production on a weekly basis and hold up to the physical rigors of the SEC.

Slowing the spread. Georgia will have its hands full trying to slow the run-oriented spread offense Dan Mullen made famous with Tim Tebow at Florida. Mississippi State quarterback Chris Relf is very Tebow-like at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds. He leads the Bulldogs in rush attempts and can also throw the ball effectively. It will be the biggest challenge for Georgia’s defense since the Boise State game.

A Georgia win would ...

• Be its 10th straight over Mississippi State in Athens.
• Be number 99 for Georgia’s 11th-year coach Mark Richt

A Mississippi State win would ...

• Be its first in Athens in 55 years
• Be its first SEC victory of 2011

Keep an eye on ...

For Georgia: Bacarri Rambo. The junior free safety is coming off a two-interception, four-tackle effort at Ole Miss, which earned him national defensive back of the week honors from the College Football Performance Award. He has four interceptions in three games, and his 1.33 interception per game average leads the nation.

For Mississippi State: Vick Ballard. The senior running back has amassed 1,385 yards rushing in his career and is averaging more than seven yards per carry, which is fourth-best in the nation. His five touchdowns in four games gives him 24 all-time, third best in MSU history.

The numbers game

6 Career rushing touchdowns by quarterback Aaron Murray, one short of record held by D.J. Shockley

270 Yards per game allowed by Georgia’s defense, third best in SEC.

The history book

Series record: Georgia leads 16-6.

The last time: On Sept. 25, 2010, Georgia struggled to run, and Mississippi State scored 17 points in a row in the fourth quarter to record a 24-12 victory in Starkville. The Bulldogs lost two fumbles and were penalized nine times for 63 yards. Relf was State’s leading rusher with 109 yards and also threw two touchdown passes.

The bottom line

It’s another must-win game for Georgia. Since they dropped the first two to Boise State and South Carolina, the Bulldogs have stayed perfect to remain in the SEC East race. Conversely, Mississippi State will be trying to avoid dropping to 0-3 in the league. So both teams will have desperation on their side.