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Matchup breakdown: MSU secondary vs. South Alabama WR Shavarez Smith
By Ethan Levine
Published:
In preparation for Saturday’s contest between Mississippi State and South Alabama, Saturday Down South is taking a look at a key matchup that may decide the showdown between the Bulldogs and the Jaguars.
Mississippi State secondary vs. South Alabama WR Shavarez Smith
The Mississippi State secondary left plenty of room for improvement after last week’s dismal performance against UAB. The Bulldogs allowed the Blazers to score three touchdowns of 75 yards or more through the air, and gave up 34 points to UAB just one week after shutting out in-state rival Southern Miss in the season opener.
Mississippi State will leave Starkville for the first time in 2014 for Saturday’s game in Mobile against South Alabama, and Jaguars’ wideout Shavarez Smith presents the greatest threat to the back-end of the Bulldogs’ defense.
Smith had a huge junior season in 2013, catching 50 passes for 940 yards (an average of 18.8 yards per reception) along with six touchdowns last season. He was tied for the team lead with three receptions in last week’s opener against Kent State, proving quarterback Brandon Bridge is still keen on looking Smith’s way as often as possible.
Smith has speed to burn and is a true deep threat in the South Alabama offense, which could resurrect nightmares among Mississippi State’s defensive backs of last week’s matchup with UAB wideout Jamarcus Nelson.
Mississippi State has allowed more pass plays of 50 yards or more (4) than any other team in the FBS, which must be remedied before facing Smith on Saturday. Defensive coordinator Geoff Collins may try mixing up coverages to keep the Jags’ offense from getting comfortable, but as Mullen indicated in his weekly press conference on Monday, his secondary will simply have to play more disciplined in Saturday’s contest.
“It’s knowing the situation you’re in and what to expect from that situation, and making sure also, putting ourselves with each coverage, making sure we have the right guy in the right position to go make plays,” Mullen said. “We’re going to get all of that stuff fixed. They’ll get it done at practice. We’ll rep it all out at practice and make sure we have guys in better positions.”
Mississippi State may play more zone coverages on Saturday to compensate for the speedy Smith, and aggressive play by the MSU defensive line could disrupt Bridge on passing downs. Bridge is a dual-threat quarterback who Mullen coached against when Bridge played for Alcorn State, and forcing him to run rather than throw would be a huge help for the MSU secondary (provided the front seven can keep Bridge relatively contained).
The Bulldogs’ have plenty of experience in the secondary, but those veterans must put themselves in the right positions to make plays. If they can’t, Smith’s performance could be a repeat of last week’s flop.
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.
