The Mississippi State Bulldogs will play a game away from home for the first time in 2014 when they take the field against the South Alabama Jaguars this afternoon in Mobile.

The Bulldogs are a veteran bunch, and they’re well-acquainted with playing in hostile road environments. However, it is still important for Mississippi State to establish its stout rushing attack early in the game to limit the intensity inside Ladd Peebles Stadium.

South Alabama kept Kent State to just 64 yards on the ground in last week’s 23-13 season-opening win, but the Bulldogs’ rank 24th in the FBS at more than 246 rushing yards per game through two weeks.

If Mississippi State gets the run game going early, it will keep the South Alabama defense on its heels and allow the offense to dictate play when it’s on the field. Tailback Josh Robinson has run for 211 yards so far this season, good for 30th among all runners in the FBS, and quarterback Dak Prescott posted his first 100-yard rushing performance of the season last week in a win over UAB.

Should Robinson and Prescott both break off a few good runs in the first quarter, South Alabama would have to respect that threat all game, opening up throwing lanes for Prescott on play-action fakes and in spread formations. Mississippi State has scored 96 points in its two games this season, and if the offense can establish the run early in today’s contest, the Bulldogs should have no trouble out-scoring South Alabama.