Using ESPN’s FPI (Football Power Index) as a guide, Texas A&M (5-0, 2-0) has a 57.7 percent chance to beat Mississippi State (4-0, 1-0) on Saturday.

CAN TEXAS A&M’S RUN DEFENSE HOLD AGAINST A TRI-THREAT QUARTERBACK?

Even though Arkansas ran for nearly 300 yards last week, with the exception of Armani Watts, the Aggies were more than passable on defense. (Fifty-one of those yards came on a fake punt.)

But what will happen against Heisman Trophy candidate Dak Prescott and Mississippi State?

The Bulldogs have a physical offensive line, not quite as big, touted or talented as Arkansas, but with the same mindset.

Josh Robinson is a talented running back, but can’t be intimidating after the Razorbacks trotted out Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams. But the biggest concern is how the Aggies will fare against a running quarterback.

Rice isn’t nearly as talented as Mississippi State. In fact, the teams met in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31, and the Bulldogs won, 44-7. The Owls had to replace the starting quarterback and starting running back since, and the star receiver didn’t play against A&M due to injury.

Yet quarterback Driphus Jackson ran for 86 of the team’s 240 rushing yards against the Aggies last month as the Owls racked up nearly 500 yards of total offense.

Prescott is as efficient a passer as any quarterback in the SEC this season, and Robinson is a Top 5 running back. But it’s Prescott’s ability to run that is most threatening to A&M.

The Aggies are mostly young on defense despite the physical talent, which allowed the team to line up and compete well against Arkansas’ predictable running game. But A&M’s tendency since the beginning of last season to abandon gap discipline, chase play fakes and allow opponents to probe holes is a concern here.

Prescott is capable of winning with his arm, but if Texas A&M can add defensive discipline to its growing physicality and speed, slowing down MSU’s run game, the Aggies will have a much better chance to take down a sixth win.