The No. 12 Mississippi State Bulldogs have a huge opportunity to break into the top 10 of next week’s polls if they can beat No. 6 Texas A&M in Starkville on Saturday. The Bulldogs beat then-No. 8 LSU their last time out to burst onto the national scene, while A&M is coming off a come-from-behind overtime victory over Arkansas in the Southwest Classic.

Here are five Aggies all Bulldogs fans should know before Saturday:

  1. Kenny Hill: Hill has been the best passer in the SEC so far this season, leading the conference in passing yards by more than 500 yards and in touchdowns by six scores. He’s also managed to limit himself to two interceptions despite commanding a pass-heavy offense, meaning he is much more likely to beat an opposing defense than beat himself. Hill is no longer just the guy replacing Johnny Manziel, he’s a full-fledged star and a huge threat to Mississippi State’s unblemished record in 2014.
  2. Malcome Kennedy: Kennedy has been A&M’s top wideout in an offense with plenty of dynamic playmakers. He’s second in the SEC with 33 receptions, and fourth in yards with 378. He’s only averaged 75 yards per game, but has been a consistent receiver that keeps the chains moving for Hill and company. The Aggies’ spread offense stretches defenses rather thin, and while Kennedy may not be the greatest big-play threat on the team, he is the greatest threat to work A&M down the field in a high-scoring offense.
  3. Speedy Noil: Noil is a spectacular freshman with plenty of athletic ability, and although he has been a mere role player in A&M’s offense, he has been dynamic on special teams. He ranks in the top 20 in the SEC in receiving yards, but is only fifth on his own team in that category. However, he has multiple 30-yard kickoff returns and a 60-yard punt return on the year, routinely giving the Aggies great field position to assist an already explosive offense.
  4. Myles Garrett: Garrett, like Noil, is only a true freshman, but he’s been a fantastic addition to A&M’s defensive front this season. He’s second in the SEC with 5.5 sacks on the year, and second in tackles for loss with 7. In facing a Mississippi State offensive line without its leader in Dillon Day, Garrett is poised to have another big game against the Bulldogs, and he’ll need to in order to limit a strong MSU rushing attack as well as dynamic dual-threat quarterback in Dak Prescott.
  5. Deshazor Everett: Everett remains active from his cornerback position, registering a whopping 16 tackles in last week’s win over Arkansas. Everett is good in pass coverage and is a sure tackler who does not allow for many yards after the catch. This will be especially crucial in facing wideouts like Mississippi State’s Jameon Lewis, whose shifty running style allows for a ton of yards after the catch. If Everett remains as fundamentally sound in the secondary as he has been in A&M’s first five games, it will limit a lot of what Mississippi State wants to do in its perimeter run game and short passing game.