Troy @ Mississippi State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2012 ) Mississippi State 30, Troy 24

Mississippi State hosts Troy in a non-conference matchup on Saturday with the hope that Tyler Russell will be cleared to play after missing the last two games with a concussion. The senior quarterback, who threw for 244 yards and three scores in last season's 30-24 win over the Trojans, has just 16 pass attempts on the year after he taking a knee to the helmet in the third quarter of the season opener against Oklahoma State. The Trojans have lost two of three in the series to the Bulldogs - with a lone win coming in 2001 at Starkville, Miss.

Dak Prescott has started two games in place of Russell and has thrown for a pair of scores and rushed for another three. The sophomore led all rushers with 133 yards in the 24-20 loss to Auburn. The Bulldogs will have their hands full on Saturday as they prepare to face senior Corey Robinson, who set an NCAA record for single-game completion percentage (93.8) against Alabama-Birmingham in Troy's home opener.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: Mississippi State -14

ABOUT TROY (2-1): After opening their season at home with a 34-31 win over Alabama-Birmingham in overtime, the Trojans followed with a 66-3 blowout of Savannah State in which Robinson threw for four scores and Troy accounted for 531 yards of total offense. Arkansas State owns the only win against Larry Blakeney's team after the Red Wolves scored a late touchdown to hold on for a 34-31 win last week. Robinson has thrown for more than 3,000 yards each of the past three seasons at Troy and already has 870 through three games.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (1-2): The Bulldogs lost the game and their starting quarterback in the season opener against Oklahoma State, but Dan Mullen's team salvaged the two-game stretch on the road with a 51-7 win over Alcorn State. Prescott threw for 174 yards and two scores in his first career start. Despite three turnovers by Auburn, the Bulldogs were unable to capitalize and get the win in their home opener against the Tigers.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mississippi State has lost seven of its last nine games dating back to last season.

2. Troy's offense ranks eighth in the nation with 1,642 yards in three games.

3. Robinson is the NCAA's active leader in passing attempts, completions and yards.

PREDICTION: Troy 35, Mississippi State 24