Who is Mississippi State Football’s most underrated 2020 opponent?

The Tigers embrace playing the spoiler role, as they will look to ruin Halloween at Davis Wade.

Quarterback Bo Nix, now a sophomore, will look to have a career season following a rollercoaster of a freshman year. A competent dual-threat, Nix threw for 2,542 yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions. On the ground, he ran for 313 yards and seven touchdowns on 97 attempts. While Nix will take risks, he should be a better decision-maker in 2020.

Nix will also have a lethal weapon at his disposal in wideout Seth Williams. At 6-foot-3, he can sky. Against the Bulldogs, Williams posted a season-high 161 receiving yards in 2019. For the Bulldogs to get past the Tigers, Williams will have to be a no show.

Though they lost stars Derrick Brown, Nick Coe, and Marlon Davidson to the NFL, the Tigers will have an elite defense, anchored by defensive end Big Kat Bryant. Bryant stands at 6-foot-5, 247 pounds. He can get to the quarterback in a hurry, boasts a quick first step, and can get set the edge. His height is rare for an edge rusher and is sure to be a significant factor.

The Bulldogs will be at home and should prepare for anything with a team like the Tigers. Offensively, K.J. Costello and Kylin Hill must avoid Bryant. Defensively, it comes down to Erroll Thompson and Marquiss Spencer either getting to Nix or dropping back in coverage to throw him off. Expect the game to be a tight back and forth.

Hail State!