The Mississippi State Bulldogs overwhelmed Kiehl Frazier and the Auburn Tigers, winning by a score of 28-10. The Auburn offense led by Frazier had just 216 yards in the game, and the sophomore quarterback had contributed -2 passing yards at the half while also turning the ball over five times.
The score could have been a lot worse, as Bulldogs kicker Devon Bell missed a pair of first half field goals, shanking one terribly and having one blocked. Tyler Russell was impressive for Mississippi State, going 20/29 for 222 yards and three touchdowns. After Auburn's D got slashed last week by Tajh Boyd and Clemson, they improved substantially today, but still allowed 388 yards for the game.
After Onterrio McCalebb returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown to take a 10-7 lead, Auburn went back into hibernation. In six second half drives, they made their way across midfield just twice, with both of those possessions ending with Frazier turnovers. 124 of Auburn's offensive yards came on the final three drives of the game, and all ended with turnovers.
This game tells us a little bit about both teams. First off, Mississippi State could conceivably be sitting at 7-0 when they travel to Tuscaloosa on October 27th to take on Alabama. This Auburn game was looking like a true test for them, and they passed with flying colors. Their toughest game between now and the game with the Crimson Tide takes place in a month, when they welcome Tennessee into Starkville. As for the Tigers, their early season schedule could destroy their season. They have a very winnable game next week with Louisiana-Monroe that should hopefully enable Frazier to work the kinks out of his game, but then host LSU and Arkansas in back to back games. 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the conference is looking like a near certainty for the Tigers, and with Georgia and Alabama still remaining on the schedule in the second half, Auburn will need an upset or two in order to get to a bowl game this year.
