Taking a position-by-position look at the Magnolia State’s most important Egg Bowl, here’s what to watch for in Saturday’s showdown between No. 4 Mississippi State and three-loss Ole Miss:

QUARTERBACK — Mississippi State: Dak Prescott will be in New York as a Heisman finalist, and though he’s slipped off pace from the first half of the season, he’s still a headache for opposing defenses. For one of the few times this season, Prescott should have a full compliment of weapons at his disposal and will look to attack the Rebels both through the air and on the ground. On the other sideline is Bo Wallace, looking to recover from a sprained ankle suffered last week against Arkansas.

RUNNING BACK — Mississippi State: Josh Robinson is arguably the SEC’s breakout star of 2014. The junior has surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau, and has bruised opposing defenses with his bulldozing style of running. The Louisiana native is a threat to catch the football out of the backfield, leading a potent Bulldogs screen game. While Ole Miss uses a committee of backs led by Jaylen Walton and I’Tavius Mathers for its ground attack, the Rebels don’t possess a player like Robinson.

WIDE RECEIVERS, TIGHT END — Mississippi State: While Ole Miss has a nice receiving corps led by Evan Engram and Quincy Adeboyejo, Mississippi State has a host of weapons on the outside. De’Runnya Wilson leads a Bulldogs receiving unit that features speedster Jameon Lewis, and big-play weapons Fred Brown and Fred Ross. All four players average at least 12 yards per reception and have combined for 14 touchdowns. This quartet will provide a challenge for Ole Miss’ secondary.

OFFENSIVE LINE — Even: Both teams have struggled on the offensive line at times this season. The Bulldogs have allowed 17 sacks on the season, which lands in the middle of the pack in the SEC. Ole Miss has given up 23 sacks on the season, near the bottom of the league. However, the Rebels have been forced to run out some makeshift offensive fronts due to injury. Sophomore Laremy Tunsil has missed some action this season, but is expected to play on Saturday afternoon. This area is a toss-up; both squads are even along the offensive line.

DEFENSIVE LINE — Ole Miss: The numbers may not necessarily be there, and Mississippi State does rank second in the SEC in sacks. However, defensive line play is not all about sacks, and the Rebels may boast the most disruptive defensive front four in the country. Led by sophomore Robert Nkemdiche, who arguably is the best player in the conference, wreaks havoc on opposing lines and quarterbacks from his defensive end position. Isaac Gross and Bryon Bennett anchor the inside of the Rebels’ defensive front, with C.J. Johnson lining up opposite Nkemdiche. Ole Miss may be undersized up front, but can matchup with any line in the country.

LINEBACKERS — Even: The linebacking corps are strengths of these two teams. The Rebels are led by Serderius Bryant, D.T. Shackelford and Keith Lewis in the middle of its defense. That trio has combined for 76 tackles, one interception and two fumble recoveries. Ole Miss’ linebackers do their best work east-to-west, and can struggle with power ground games. Mississippi State arguably the best linebacker duo in the league in Benardrick McKinney and Beniquez Brown. The two lead the Bulldogs in tackles with 60 and 55, respectively. Mississippi State’s linebackers anchor a front seven that is the strength of the defense.

SECONDARY — Ole Miss: The back end has been the strength of Ole Miss’ Landshark defense this season, lead by safety Cody Prewitt and cornerback Senquez Golson. The Rebels’ defensive backfield is great at playing the run and pass, and can work downhill and sideline-to-sideline. Five of eight Ole Miss’ leading tacklers are defensive backs, a tip of the cap to the depth the Rebels possess. Godson has a team-high nine interceptions on the year, while Mike Hilton is tied for the team lead in passes broken up with seven. This Rebels secondary boasts incredible ball skills and will be the toughest test the Bulldogs have faced this season.