Aggies look to take step in proving late-season culture change in Starkville
When addressing changes in Texas A&M’s football program first-year coach Jimbo Fisher has often stated: “It ain’t like it used to be.”
Aggie fans certainly hope that proves to be the case on Saturday when the Aggies (5-2, 3-1) go to Starkville to face Mississippi State (4-3, 1-3) in a Southeastern Conference West Division clash at 6 p.m. A&M has lost three of the last four games against Mississippi State and the last two in Starkville.
This time the No. 16 Aggies are surging with a three-game winning streak, while Mississippi State is struggling. The Bulldogs have lost three of their last four four SEC games and have managed seven points or less in each of those losses.
Fisher obviously wasn’t around for A&M’s previous trips to Starkville, but he knows not to take a win there for granted.
“They’ve lost some tight, tough ball games, but they’re a very talented football team,” Fisher said. “A lot of NFL players on that team.
“Starkville is a very tough place to play. It’s loud. It’s nasty. They will be juiced up and ready to play. It’s a night game. We’ll have to play our tails off.”
Especially, the offensive unit. A&M has been productive offensively. The Aggies are fourth in the SEC in total offense.
Quarterback Kellen Mond passed for 353 yards against South Carolina in A&M’s most recent game. Running back Trayveon Williams ranks second in the SEC in rushing. Tight end Jace Sternberger and receiver Quartney Davis are emerging big-play threats.
However, Mississippi State’s defense is among the best in the nation. The Bulldogs rank fifth in total defense and fourth in points allowed. Only one opponent — Kentucky — has managed more than 19 points.
Defensive end Montez Sweat has notched 8.5 sacks and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is among the best at his position.
“Defensively, they’re outstanding,” Fisher said. “Simmons is so disruptive and athletic. Sweat has (almost) 10 sacks. Everyone thinks of him as a pass rusher but he’s a great run player, too.
“You get caught up in watching them you don’t realize how good the guys around them are.”
On the other side, the Mississippi State offense is broken. Fitzgerald had more interceptions (4) than Mississippi State had points in last week’s 19-3 loss to LSU. The passing game is among the least productive in the SEC.
They’ve compensated with a strong, but inconsistent running game led by quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. However, A&M’s run defense is the best the Bulldogs will have faced.
Over the last three seasons, Mississippi State is 15-3 when Fitzgerald has rushed for 100 yards. No individual has rushed for 100 yards against A&M. No team has managed more than 115 rushing yards against the Aggies.
The Aggies will be without safety Donovan Wilson for the first half. He’s sitting out a targeting suspension. That could be a problem.
Also, the Aggies may face two quarterbacks. Word out of Starkville is sophomore backup Keytaon Thompson will take some series in hopes of boosting the passing game. A&M defensive end Kingsley Keke said the defense isn’t concerned about that, though.
“Right now I feel really confident about what we do,” Keke said. “If Nick is on the field I’ll be OK with it. But seeing another quarterback on the field … we’ll see what happens. I’m OK with it.”