Mississippi State heads west to Provo, Utah to take on BYU this Friday on the national stage. The elevation, hostile environment, travel time, short week and more experienced opponent add up to a difficult test for Mississippi State, which needs to win in order to earn bowl-eligibility.

BYU outlasted Toledo two weeks ago and dismantled Michigan State in East Lansing last weekend to get back to 3-3 on the season. In its last two games, Mississippi State escaped UMass three weeks ago and got rolled at home against Auburn last weekend to fall to 2-3 on the season.

These are the important advantages each team ought to have on Friday.

When Mississippi State Has the Ball

Mississippi State Rushing vs. BYU Rush Defense: Expect BYU to not only win the line of scrimmage but to thoroughly dominate it on both sides of the ball. Defensively, the Cougars held Michigan State to 85 yards on 32 carries last week en route to a 31-14 victory in East Lansing.

Mississippi State’s rushing attack has been led by quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, who has rushed for a tepid 390 yards this season, including 61 yards on 17 carries in the 38-14 loss to Auburn last week. The Bulldogs will not be competitive running between the tackles.

EDGE: BYU

Mississippi State Passing vs. BYU Pass Defense: BYU’s massive and violent defensive line forces teams to throw the ball. Should an opposing offensive line provide enough time to throw, teams can throw the ball down the field in chunks. BYU’s secondary does not typically match up as well with Power 5 wide receivers, and Cougars defenders are prone to pass interference and holding penalties. West Virginia threw for 332 yards, and Toledo threw for over 500. Mississippi State’s receiving corps has speed and with Fred Ross, it has experience. They’ll be open if Fitzgerald can get rid of the ball quickly.

EDGE: Mississippi State

When BYU Has the Ball

BYU Rushing vs. Mississippi State Rush Defense: Again, BYU will own the trenches. That offensive line blocks for one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, Taysom Hill, and a talented senior running back in Jamaal Williams, who is 134 yards away from his second career 1,000-yard season. Mississippi State gave up 177 yards to LSU due to a heavy dose of Leonard Fournette.

Similarly, BYU will run right at the MSU defensive front and mix things up with the running ability of Hill.

EDGE: BYU

BYU Passing vs. Mississippi State Pass Defense: Mississippi State’s secondary personnel possesses speed and skill that BYU receivers do not. Furthermore, Utah and UCLA found success against the Cougars by dropping six and seven players into coverage. However, Hill’s ability to create with his feet provides opportunities that are difficult to prepare for. The most important consideration for this matchup will be situational. BYU’s edge in the running game will mean it will look to avoid throwing down the field by staying in manageable third downs. However, if Mississippi State forces BYU into obvious passing situations, the Bulldogs will have the opportunity to force turnovers.

EDGE: Mississippi State.

Nick Andrews