College Football Week 4 schedule and predictions

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STARKVILLE, MS – SEPTEMBER 16: Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Aeris Williams (22) rushes the ball during a football game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi on September 16, 2017 (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 17 Mississippi State at No. 11 Georgia

Kickoff: Saturday, Sep. 23, 7:00 PM, ESPN

This is easily the best matchup this weekend. After crushing LSU at home, Mississippi State will head to Athens, GA to take on Georgia. The two teams are undefeated and don’t commonly play each other every year.

The last time Georgia and Mississippi State faced each other was back in 2011, so there’s going to be a lot of pre-game hype. Here are three things to watch in the game and also a final prediction.

Mississippi State at Georgia: Three Things to Watch:

1. Mississippi State’s attitude and energy after a huge win last week.

As mentioned, Mississippi State took down LSU, 37-7, in an absolute demolition. It was a lopsided score and an unexpected result. So can Dan Mullen have his guys re-focus ahead of this week’s matchup in Georgia? That’ll be something to watch to make sure his players don’t get complacent after a huge win. It’s a young roster, so let’s see if Mullen can have his guys ready to play.

2. Can RB Aeris Williams run on Georgia’s defense?

Aeris Williams and the Mississippi State running game has been fantastic through three weeks of the season. They’re averaging a shade under 300 yards per game, but the Georgia run defense has been extremely stingy. QB Nick Fitzgerald has been leaning on the run game to open up the passing game, so it’ll be critical for Williams to lead the way for Mississippi State.

3. How will QB Jake Fromm respond to the pressure of a heavyweight SEC game?

Georgia’s QB Jake Fromm has only appeared in three games through his entire collegiate career. He hasn’t played under the primetime lights yet and this will be his first test. It’s going to be a difficult challenge against Mississippi State. Fromm will have to lean on his running game — RB Nick Chubb — and convert third downs and protect the football. Those are the keys for Georgia’s success in this game.

Prediction:

Mississippi State are slight underdogs in this game, by about a few points, but I think they have the right momentum and energy coming into this game.

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They’re coming off of a huge win, have the better coach and quarterback in this matchup. They may be on the road, but I like their attitude and for them to win a close game. Hail State.

Mississippi State over Georgia, 27-23.

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