TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — If No. 2 Alabama needs to take house its second SEC Match title in three years, it should beat Mississippi State for a 3rd time this season. The highest-seeded Crimson Tide will open convention match play towards the No. 9 seed Bulldogs on Friday at midday CT inside Nashville’s Bridgestone area. Mississippi State superior to the matchup by recording a 69-68 time beyond regulation win over No. 8 seed Florida on Thursday.
Alabama (26-5) received each of its earlier conferences towards Mississippi State (21-11) this season, opening convention play with a 78-67 win in Starkville on Dec. 28 earlier than beating the Bulldogs 66-63 in Tuscaloosa on Jan. 25. A win Friday would mark the fifth time Alabama defeated Mississippi State three consecutive instances in a season for the reason that groups started taking part in in 1914.
“They performed us actually powerful the final time,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats mentioned of Mississippi State on Thursday. “They’re one of many hardest-playing groups in America, so we’re gonna have to come back able to go, clearly. Tolu Smith is likely one of the finest gamers within the league.”
“They are saying it’s exhausting to beat a crew 3 times. There’s some fact as a result of they’ve made changes, they usually’ll make one other adjustment.”
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This is all the things it’s essential to know concerning the recreation.
Methods to watch
Who: No. 2 Alabama (26-5) vs. Mississippi State (21-11)
When: Midday CT, Friday, March 10
The place: Bridgestone Area, Nashville, Tennessee
Watch: ESPN (play-by-play: Karl Ravech; analyst: Jimmy Dykes; sideline: Marty Smith)
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Hear: Crimson Tide Sports activities Community (play-by-play: Chris Stewart; analyst: Bryan Passink; engineer Tom Stipe)
Alabama beat seven SEC opponents by 20 or extra factors this season. Mississippi State wasn’t certainly one of them. The Crimson Tide overcame a gradual begin in its journey to Starkville in December earlier than erasing a double-digit deficit to hold on for a slim house win towards the Bulldogs in January. Driving the momentum of a dramatic time beyond regulation win over Florida, Mississippi State hopes it is going to have higher luck towards Alabama in a impartial setting Friday.
“I simply have a look at it as a beautiful alternative,” Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans advised reporters following Thursday’s win over Florida. “They’ve bought nice gamers, nice coaches. We’ve not been capable of beat them. We had two cracks at it. What a possibility and clearly a giant problem for us. I do know we’ll should play actually, very well.”
Mississippi State ahead Tolu Smith was a bit extra boisterous in his confidence when requested Thursday about having one other probability at knocking off the Tide
“I simply assume the third time’s the allure,” he mentioned. “I believe we’ve got a very good probability to get a win.”
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Smith has recorded career-high level totals in back-to-back video games, placing up 28 factors and 12 rebounds towards Florida after dropping 27 factors and 11 boards throughout a loss to Vanderbilt final week. The 6-foot-11, 245-pound senior tallied 15 factors and 7 rebounds towards Alabama in Starkville however was restricted to only 5 factors and 6 boards throughout the recreation in Tuscaloosa.
Mississippi State’s greatest key will probably be stopping SEC Participant of the Yr, Brandon Miller, who leads the SEC in scoring (19.6 factors per recreation) and made 3s (92) whereas additionally averaging averaging 8.0 rebounds per recreation. Miller had 13 factors and 6 rebounds towards the Bulldogs in Starkville earlier than recording 19 factors and 11 factors throughout the recreation in Coleman Coliseum.
“It’s exhausting [to defend Miller], however I believe we bought some guys who’re prepared to take a seat down and lock in,” Smith mentioned. “… I don’t assume we’re fearful of no person. I believe we’re able to assault them.”
Alabama’s Mr. March
Popeye has his spinach, Mario has his magical mushrooms and Jahvon Quinerly has the month of March. The ultimate month of the season appears to supply an annual power-up for the Alabama guard, and this 12 months hasn’t been any completely different as he’s mixed for 36 factors on 12 of 23 capturing over the Tide’s two video games this month.
Excluding final season’s loss NCAA Match loss to Notre Dame when he tore his ACL roughly three minutes after tipoff, Quinerly has scored in double digits in all 13 of his different March video games with the Crimson Tide. That features a heroic run in 2021 when he eanred SEC Match MVP honors, averaging 15.6 factors 3.0 assists and a pair of.6 rebounds whereas main Alabama to its first convention match title in 30 years.
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Earlier this week, Jahvon Quinerly was named SEC Co-Sixth Man of the Yr, sharing the distinction with Kentucky’s Antonio Reeves. Since getting back from his damage final November, he has appeared in 29 video games off the bench for the Crimson Tide this season, averaging 7.8 factors and a team-high 3.7 assists per recreation whereas capturing 39.2% from the ground and 34.3% from past the arc.
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State debuted 41 new players against Eastern Kentucky, including 23 transfers. But one of the biggest transfer portal additions wasn’t on the field and may not be again this week.
Senior receiver Kelly Akharaiyi was left off Mississippi State’s depth chart that was released and coach Jeff Lebby didn’t provide much clarity on the situation either.
“He’s getting closer and closer,” Lebby said at Tuesday morning press conference. “We need to be patient with him. We hope he has a good week and can create some confidence for himself more than anything. But I’m not ready to say he’s going to be available.”
Akharaiyi was one of the transfers most were looking forward to seeing in Lebby’s fast-paced, passing offense. But he was held out of season-opener for what was thought to be a minor injury. However, his uncertain status might be a sign of a more serious injury?
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Or is Lebby playing a game of cat-and-mouse with Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham? We’ll found out soon enough.
Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen looks to pass against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images
QB1 – 2 Blake Shapen, 6-1, 210 lbs., Sr. QB2 – 16 Chris Parson, 6-1, 215 lbs., Rs Fr. or – 0 Michael Van Buren Jr., 6-1, 200 lbs., Fr.
Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) runs the ball against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images
Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Jordan Mosley runs the ball while defended by Eastern Kentucky Colonels defensive back Sam Robertson during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images
RT1 – 76 Albert Reese IV, 6-7, 330 lbs., Jr. RT2 – 55 Leon Bell, 6-8, 325 lbs., R-Jr. RT3 – 78 Amari Smith, 6-7, 325 lbs., R-Fr.
DT1 – 22 Kedrick Bingley-Jones, 6-4, 310 lbs., Jr. – or – 23 Trevion Williams, 6-4, 295 lbs., R-Fr. DT2 – 98 Ashun Shepphard, 6-3, 280 lbs., Jr.
DT1 – 35 Kalvin Dinkins, 6-2, 315 lbs., So. – or – 8 Sulaiman Kpaka, 6-3, 300 lbs., Sr. DT2 – 92 Eric Taylor, 6-4, 310 lbs., Jr. – or – 90 Kai McClendon, 6-2, 305 lbs., Fr.
DE1 – 9 De’Monte Russell, 6-4, 285 lbs., Sr. DE2 – 91 Deonte Anderson, 6-3, 270 lbs., Jr. – or – 46 Joseph Head Jr., 6-4, 240 lbs., R-Fr.
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Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Kedrick Bingley-Jones (22) reacts after a play against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images
JLB1 – 11 Ty Cooper, 6-4, 245 lbs., Jr. – or – 44 Branden Jennings, 6-3, 240 lbs., Jr. JLB2 – 36 Donterry Russell, 6-4, 225 lbs., So.
MLB1 – 7 Stone Blanton, 6-2, 230 lbs., Jr. MLB2 – 26 JP Purvis, 6-1, 245 lbs., Sr.
DLB1 – 40 Nic Mitchell, 6-2, 230 lbs., Jr. – or – 5 John Lewis, 6-3, 240 lbs., Jr. DLB2 – 16 Zakari Tillman, 6-2, 225 lbs., So.
FS1 – 2 Isaac Smith, 6-0, 205 lbs., So. FS2 – 12 Tyler Woodard, 6-2, 200 lbs., Jr.
SS1 – 21 Hunter Washington, 5-11, 190 lbs., Jr. SS2 – 27 Chris Keys Jr., 6-0, 190 lbs., Jr. – or – 17 Jordan Morant, 6-0, 210 lbs., Sr.
Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Kevin Coleman (3) runs the ball against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images
Mississippi State at Arizona State, Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Arizona State by 6 1/2.
Series record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Arizona State and Mississippi State both had dominant wins in the season-opening weekend and now have a tougher challenge when they face each other on Saturday night. The Sun Devils are trying to build off an impressive 48-7 win over Wyoming and prove they might be a factor in the Big 12 race. Arizona State has never beaten an SEC opponent. Mississippi State plays its second game under new coach Jeff Lebby. The Bulldogs beat Eastern Kentucky 56-7 in their season opener..
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KEY MATCHUP
Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen vs. the Arizona State defense. The Sun Devils scored a touchdown on the second play of their opener when Zyrus Fiaseu picked off a pass and returned it to the end zone. It was one of two interceptions on the day for Arizona State. Shapen had a great debut against Eastern Kentucky but will face a much tougher defense on Saturday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mississippi State: Shapen had a terrific first game with the Bulldogs, throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns while also running for 44 yards and a TD against Eastern Kentucky. The 6-foot-1 senior played the previous three college seasons at Baylor with mixed success. Shapen has thrown a TD pass in 12 consecutive games dating to this time at Baylor in 2022.
Arizona State: RB Cam Skattebo led a balanced rushing attack against Wyoming, gaining 49 yards and scoring a touchdown. Skattebo was a do-it-all player for Arizona State last year, spending time at quarterback, running back and receiver. The Sun Devils might not need him to be as versatile this season, but he’s still a threat from just about anywhere on the field.
FACTS & FIGURES
Mississippi State had six different players score touchdowns against Eastern Kentucky. … The Bulldogs’ 93.7 passing grade in the opener was the second-best mark in all of the FBS, trailing only Purdue, according to Pro Football Focus. … Mississippi State’s Kevin Coleman Jr. returned five punts for 117 yards last week. … Arizona State was credited with just two missed tackles on defense in the opener, tied for the third-lowest tally among FBS schools. … Skattebo is 270 rushing yards away from reaching 3,000 in his career. He is 342 all-purpose yards away from reaching 4,000 and 202 receiving yards away from reaching 1,000.
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STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football is preparing to play a team that, at least through one game, looks vastly improved from last season.
Coach Jeff Lebby admitted on Monday, and Bulldog players have noticed it too after Arizona State (1-0) thumped Wyoming 48-7 in its opener.
MSU (1-0) must also factor in the late kickoff that is scheduled Saturday (9:30 p.m. CT, ESPN) at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Mississippi is hot, but so is Arizona — a different kind of hot, too.
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Modifications and remedies are being made, such as the team leaving Starkville on Thursday instead of how it normally would on a Friday for a Saturday game.
“For our guys, just knowing exactly what we are getting into,” Lebby said. “We continue to talk about that through yesterday and this morning and (are) having those conversations to understand what it’s going to look like late in the week. We got to do a great job from a preparation standpoint of how we are hydrating, how we are eating and how we are resting to give us the ability to go on the road on this flight and be able to be at our best Saturday night.”
Just this week, Phoenix broke a record with its 100th straight day of 100-degree temperatures. According to AccuWeather, the high on Saturday in Tempe will be 107 degrees with a low of 86. The temperature should dip to around 91 near kickoff with a humidity of 24%.
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“Coach Lebby has already been harping on that,” tight end Justin Ball said. “We’ve already been hydrating and making sure we are getting rest every single day. We leave on Thursday, so we already talked about the plan to make sure we are hydrating the entire plane ride there, making sure when we get there we get acclimated as quickly as you can and just staying together. Making sure we’re focused, make sure we keep the goal first and then execute the game plan.”
MORE: Jeff Lebby says Mississippi State football didn’t put on a good enough show. Here’s how he’s wrong
Mississippi State played well the last time it played in Arizona
The Bulldogs played Arizona in Tucson two seasons ago. They squandered a pedestrian Wildcats team 39-17. Kickoff for that game was at 8 p.m. PST though the temperature was 84 degrees at game time.
Not many players remain on Mississippi State’s roster from that 2022 season. But the ones who are, like linebacker Nic Mitchell, can benefit from the experience and also share it with teammates.
“We know it’s going to be a long flight, so we know we got to be hydrated,” Mitchell said. “It gives people experience that have done it before and they can tell the young guys how it’s going to be in the flight, how you got to hydrate and stuff like that.”
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Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
