Georgia's next opponent: Mississippi State
When: Noon Saturday
TV; radio: Fox Sports South; 750, 95.5
Mississippi State's record: 2-2, 0-2 SEC
Last time played: Sept. 25, 2010, when Mississippi State defeated Georgia 24-12 in Starkville. Georgia trailed throughout the game and squandered an early scoring chance on a Washaun Ealey fumble at the goal line.
Mississippi State on offense: Senior quarterback Chris Relf had a rocky game against Louisiana Tech last week but wound up throwing a touchdown pass for a 26-20 win in overtime. He is a dual-threat quarterback who has four career 100-yard rushing games, including last season's game against Georgia. Coach Dan Mullen's spread offense likes to use a strong running game to set up the pass. Mississippi State has two threats at running back: Vick Ballard, who rushed for 968 yards and scored 20 touchdowns last season, and LaDarius Perkins. They shared the carries last week, with Ballard getting 17 and Perkins 12 for a combined 122 yards.
Mississippi State on defense: Junior cornerbacks Johnthan Banks and Corey Broomfield have combined for 19 career interceptions (10 and 9, respectively). Senior linebacker Brandon Wilson had a career-best 18 tackles last week, the most by any SEC player in a game this season. Mississippi State had three defensive players taken in this year's NFL draft.
Mississippi State on special teams: Chad Bumphis returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown last week. Derek DePasquale has made 27 of 32 career field-goal attempts, with a long of 48 yards.
What you should know: Mississippi State, which last season defeated Georgia for the first time since 1974, hasn't won in Athens since 1956 and hasn't won back-to-back games against UGA since 1951 and '56. Georgia had won nine in a row against MSU before last season and is 15-3 in the series since 1959.
Coach: Dan Mullen, previously the offensive coordinator under Urban Meyer at Florida, is in his third season at Mississippi State and has a 16-13 record.
-- Tim Tucker
