That year, the Aggies began 6-0 but then faltered toward the end, finishing 8-5. No. 6 A&M (4-0, 1-0) aims to match that same perfect start but avoid a similar season-long outcome as it hosts Mississippi State (4-1, 0-1) Saturday at Kyle Field.
Will A&M keep its winning streak alive? Can they further establish themselves as one of the top college football teams? How will the Aggies handle a Mississippi State squad that took a top 15 opponent to overtime in Week 5?
Here’s a full scouting report for the Texas A&M Aggies vs. the Mississippi State Bulldogs:
No. 6 Texas A&M vs Mississippi State
Texas A&M vs Mississippi State football betting info
Moneyline: Texas A&M -625, Mississippi State +450
Spread: A&M by 14
Over/under: 55½
Texas A&M vs Mississippi State history
Last meeting: Texas A&M 34, Mississippi State 24. (2024)
Most memorable game: Texas A&M 38, Mississippi State 13. (2012) In what was the two programs’ first meeting as conference foes, quarterback Johnny Manziel dissected the Bulldogs for an easy Aggies win. Manziel threw for 311 yards and ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns, leading No. 16 Texas A&M to a 38-13 victory over No. 17 Mississippi State. The Aggies jumped out to a 31-0 lead in the first half.
Know the foe: Mississippi State
When Texas A&M has the ball
Expect the Aggies to be multiple in their attack, as they rank sixth in the SEC in passing yards per game (294.2) and 10th in rushing yards per game (169.5). They topped 200 yards rushing last week for the second time this season and could lean on the running game after preferring to pass in weeks 1 and 3.
Mississippi State ranks 11th in the SEC in run defense, allowing an average of 135.4 yards per game, and is 12th in the conference in passing defense, at 225.0 yards. In its first conference game, the MSU defense gave up 335 passing yards to Tennessee while allowing 131 on the ground.
When Mississippi State has the ball
The Bulldogs boast a top-five scoring offense in the conference, averaging 38.6 points. However, a closer look at the numbers might reveal some fool’s gold.
They’re sixth in the SEC in rushing, but much of that is inflated by totaling 292 yards against Northern Illinois and 282 yards against Alcorn State. When facing then-No. 12 Arizona State in Week 2, they gained only 66 yards on the ground.
The group is led by sophomore Fluff Bothwell, who has rushed for 405 yards and six touchdowns on 70 carries.
Mississippi State’s passing attack ranks 12th in the conference with 225.0 yards per game. Senior quarterback Blake Shapen has thrown eight touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 65% of his passes.
Senior wide receiver Brenen Thompson, after two seasons with Oklahoma and one with Texas, leads the Bulldogs with 20 receptions for 324 yards and three touchdowns.
Texas A&M vs Mississippi State key matchup
A&M’s defensive line vs Mississippi State’s offensive line
Mississippi State has given up 12 sacks, the third-most in the SEC. It lost starting tackle Blake Steen to a season-ending injury in Week 1. Going into Week 6, the Bulldogs might be without a second starting offensive lineman after tackle Albert Reese IV went down against Tennessee.
A&M has recorded 14 sacks, fourth in the conference. It’s reasonable to assume that head coach Mike Elko and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman will increase the pressure to challenge the Mississippi State big men.
MORE: How Aggies’ nickel corner Tyreek Chappell makes his presence felt
Texas A&M vs Mississippi State prediction
Tony Catalina: Texas A&M 34, Mississippi State 17. As impressive as A&M has looked at times, it hasn’t yet played a complete game. From scoring 41 points (while allowing 40) against Notre Dame in Week 3 to holding Auburn to just one touchdown (while scoring just one itself) in Week 5, Saturday offers a chance for the Aggies to string together four quarters of complementary football. Despite an upset of 2025 CFP team Arizona State. The Bulldogs are 0-13 in their last 13 SEC games.
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