Mississippi State @ Auburn preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 8, 2012 ) Auburn 10, Mississippi State 28

Led by a balanced rushing attack and a stingy defense, Auburn opens Southeastern Conference play against visiting Mississippi State on Saturday. The Tigers have three of the top nine rushers in the SEC after the season's first two weeks, leading to a team average of 6.2 yards per carry. They also possess an improving defense that has not allowed a touchdown in the last six quarters, but enter the contest with a 10-game losing streak against SEC opponents.

Offensively, Auburn will look to get off to a fast start against a Mississippi State team that has allowed just four first downs - and zero points - in the first quarter this season. The Bulldogs managed only three points in their season opener against Oklahoma State before rebounding to trounce Alcorn State last weekend. Mississippi State totaled 556 yards of offense in that 51-7 victory, including 98 yards and two touchdowns from freshman running back Ashton Shumpert.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Auburn -6.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (1-1): Shumpert's big game against Alcorn State came in place of LaDarius Perkins (ankle), a 1,000-yard rusher last season. Perkins is expected to play Saturday, as is Bulldogs quarterback Tyler Russell, a fifth-year senior who sat out last week after sustaining a concussion early in the season opener. Russell had his breakout game against Auburn last season, throwing for 222 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-10 home victory.

ABOUT AUBURN (2-0): Corey Grant is sixth in the SEC with 186 rushing yards, while Tre Mason (172) is seventh and Cameron Artis-Payne (154) is ninth. Senior cornerback Chris Davis paced last week's 38-9 win over Arkansas State with a career-high 10 tackles, as well as two pass breakups, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble. The Tigers' secret weapon is Steven Clark, considered one of the elite punters in the country following a junior campaign in which only five of his 70 punts were returned.

EXTRA POINTS

1. If Perkins can't play Saturday, the Bulldogs will once again turn to sophomore QB Dak Prescott, who threw for 174 yards and two TDs against Alcorn State.

2. The Tigers have been outscored by 25.7 points per game during their 10-game SEC losing streak.

3. Auburn has matchups looming against No. 8 LSU, No. 25 Mississippi and No. 6 Texas A&M.

PREDICTION: Auburn 24, Mississippi State 23