Mississippi State vs Western Michigan:
Three keys to victory for the Bulldogs

Mississippi State (2-3) continues its season with a Week 6 game against the visiting Western Michigan Broncos (2-3), which is off for SEC play. The Bulldogs have yet to win a conference game, most recently losing 40-17 to the 12th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide after also falling to the South Carolina Gamecocks and LSU Tigers.

Here are three keys to a win against the Broncos as MSU looks to get back to winning position:
1. Avoid turnover. MSU is the heavy favorite in this game and needs to play clean to avoid making the game interesting. The Bulldogs have far superior talent and turnovers help close games like this. MSU needs to play clean and leave Western Michigan without any hope.

While this secondary doesn’t have the same talent level as Alabama, it’s worth noting that quarterback Will Rogers threw three interceptions in one outing. Something like this cannot happen again so the Bulldogs can continue to compete. 2. A quick start. In addition to taking care of the football, you must start quickly to avoid being surprised. The longer a team stays in the game, the more momentum they gain, which is a recipe for losing. This game needs to get out of hand by the end of the first half. Not only to secure a win here but also to get valuable reps for the young players. 3. Identify the attack line and set it up further.

MSU has replaced a lot at different positions this season, but especially on the offensive line. The Bulldogs need to find their starting five so the team can continue to provide continuity. This is a great game to do that because it’s about physically outmatching your opponents. This should have been an easy win for the Bulldogs, but they still have some areas that clearly need improvement.

Just going through the motions will lead to more losses in SEC play. The Bulldogs need to play an efficient and clean game on Saturday as they begin a much-needed bye week. Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS Illustrated is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Copyrighted.