Here are some quick thoughts of Mississippi State’s 31-13 win over Missouri.

What it means: Mississippi State still has plenty of big games left to make noise in the SEC. Don’t count the Bulldogs out just yet, though their two loses, to LSU and Texas A&M, make it almost impossible for them to make the SEC Championship at this point.

What I liked:

  • Both defenses forced turnovers early. Whether it was a beautiful tip interception by the Bulldogs in the first quarter, or a huge forced fumble on QB Dak Prescott on fourth-and-3, both defense made big plays to open this one.
  • Missouri offensive play calling after rough start. The Tigers were able to score their first touchdown in 33 days for one reason, because they stuck with the run game. After 67 rushes for 207 yards in their past three games the Tigers finally got it going on the ground in this one, and actually stuck with it.
  • The Mississippi State pass rush. All night the Bulldogs wreaked havoc on Missouri QB Drew Lock, sacking him multiple times and giving him very little time to throw the football.
  • Big plays by both special teams units. Very rarely do special teams play such a pivotal role in a game, but in this one, kicking, punting, and returning, proved to make a major difference. The decision to kick the field goal in the torrential downpour for the Tigers halfway through the second quarter was definitely not an easy choice by the coach, but with his offense struggling it was clearly the right one. Missouri’s blocked punt in the first half also helped keep the team alive for the first half. In a 7-6 game Mississippi State’s Halloway took the kickoff 66 yards into the opponent’s red zone, setting up the team’s second touchdown of the game.

What I didn’t like:

  • Missouri’s offense to start the game. With only three yards on their first two opening drives the Tigers offense really struggled early, allowing the Bulldogs to get out to an early lead.
  • Mississippi State RB Brandon Holloway coughing up the ball to begin this one. Over and over again the Bulldogs shot themselves in the foot in the first half. Luckily QB Dak Prescott was able to lead his team to victory.
  • The rain looked pretty miserable.

Who’s the man: It’s hard not to give the nod to Mizzou LB Kentrell Brothers after his huge night that included two forced turnovers, but with his 100th career touchdown, QB Dak Prescott becomes just the sixth player in SEC history to account for 100 TDs in his career. Prescott finished the game with 303 passing yards and four touchdowns.

Key Play: Drew Lock’s interception on the Tigers’ first drive to open the second half. A terrible decision on the part of the quarterback, leading to 10 unanswered points to open the second half for Mississippi State and pretty much ended Missouri’s chances in this one. 

What’s next: While Mississippi State has a very tough schedule to end the season, including three conference games in the final three weeks (one against Alabama and the other against Ole Miss), Missouri could finish 2015 as well as they started it with three straight games against unranked opponents. At the very least the Tigers ended their touchdown scoring drought.