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We're back! After a couple weeks off to collect our thoughts and really contemplate the depth of life and our choices, we've stepped aside from all of that foolishness and we're here to bring you this week's EA Sports NCAA Football 2014 simulation for this Saturday's game between Mississippi State and Texas A&M.
Firstly, let's address the two games that we missed simulating -- Kentucky and South Carolina. State would wind up splitting the two games with a 48-27 win over Kentucky and a 31-26, narrow defeat at the hands of South Carolina.
So how would things go for MSU in game #9 of the season in College Station? Let's take a look
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
So close.
Mississippi State would take #3 Texas A&M to the absolute brink, but come up just short in a 31-34, 2OT loss to the other maroon team in the SEC West. After regulation couldn't decide things, the Bulldogs and Aggies would exchange field goals in the first overtime, only for MSU to be stopped in the second OT and for A&M to kick another to win the game.
Team Stats
- 19 first downs
- 314 yards total offense
- 99 yards rushing
- 215 yards passing
- 5-13 (38%) 3rd down conversions
- 0 turnovers
- Texas A&M with 442 yards total offense, but Bulldogs force two fumbles to keep game close
Passing Stats
- Tyler Russell | 21 of 34, 215 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT, 61% completion, long of 37
Rushing Stats
-
LaDarius Perkins | 16 rushes, 71 yards, 0 TD, long of 11
Receiving Stats
- Joe Morrow | 7 receptions, 76 yards, 3 TDs
- Robert Johnson | 5 receptions, 71 yards
- Jameon Lewis | 4 receoptions, 31 yards
Defensive Stats
- Deonte Skinner | 11 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, .5 sacks
- Preston Smith | 9 tackles, 3 tackles for loss
- Matthew Wells | 9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack
Perkins returned and again became the primary back in the offense. The other notable player was Joe Morrow. My goodness big guy; what a game he had. On defense, the linebackers took care of things, while Preston Smith held his own on the edge.
So can we expect this outcome to be anything like the real one Saturday? Ah, probably not. Part of me thinks that MSU struggles mightly against the Aggies in the imposing Kyle Field atmosphere. But there is a chance that the Bulldogs rally around Dak Prescott, and find a way to keep it close, and maybe even eek out a win. We'll just have to see.