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Weekly Look Back & Look Forward: Heading to Week 10

Last week was a tough week for the college football teams in Mississippi. Nearly every team lost but Ole Miss and Belhaven. It was the type of week you just want to forget about but if you missed any of last week's action you can pick up the current issue of the JFP and read the round up or http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2012/oct/31/few-wins-some-bad-losses/">follow this link.

Things don't get any easier this week for college football teams in Mississippi. Southern Miss is still searching for win one, Mississippi State faces a tough test in Texas A&M and Ole Miss will look to avoid a blowout against Georgia.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State must pick themselves off the floor after Alabama took the Bulldogs behind the woodshed last week. MSU doesn't get an easy match up this week with SEC newcomer Texas A&M coming to town.

The Bulldogs will have to deal with Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel. The Aggies quarterback is a danger to throw or run on any given play.

MSU will have to contain Manziel when he drops back. Manziel excels at finding running lanes when teams rush too far up field. The Bulldogs have to get get pressure on Manziel but can't allow him to use his legs when his receivers are covered.

Mississippi State will have to fix their special teams problems from last week. The Bulldogs struggled in nearly every phase of the kicking game against Alabama.

MSU will need to play sound football this week and not turn the ball over on offense. Mississippi State needs to run the ball better than they did against the Crimson Tide.

Texas A&M is a winnable game for MSU but they put the Alabama game behind them and not the Tide beat them twice. This game is even more important for the Bulldogs with a chance to finish second or third in the SEC West still at stake.

The Bulldogs might not be on Alabama's level yet but they can prove they are at the Aggies level already. A loss will bring questions that MSU had a favorable schedule and weak SEC West to contend with this year.

Texas A&M 31 MSU 28

Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss could face two different scenarios against Georgia. The Bulldogs who are coming off a big win over Florida could have a major letdown at home this week the Rebels or they could destroy Ole Miss quickly knowing that the SEC East title is in their grasp.

The Rebels will face a balanced Georgia offense with two talented running backs and a very good passing attack under Aaron Murray. Ole Miss will have to be sound on defense and not allow the Bulldogs to score easy points in the passing game with blown coverage.

Ole Miss only needs one more win to reach bowl eligibility this season and it would be a nice feather in the Rebels cap if they can up set Georgia. To do so the Rebels will have to play nearly perfect on offense and defense this week.

On offense, the Rebels can't afford turnovers and can't afford settle for field goals and not touchdowns. Ole Miss can win this game but it will take their best effort of the season so far.

Georgia 35 Ole Miss 17

Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Southern Miss is one of two FBS schools still looking for a win as the season reaches the first weekend of November. The Golden Eagles are currently in the midst of one of the worst seasons in program history.

This week 1-7 UAB comes to town to face USM. The Blazers lone win came against Southeastern Louisiana in the first week of October.

Southern Miss has looked terrible on offense and defense most this season and there is a good chance the Golden Eagles could go winless this season. USM will have a good chance at beating UAB but Southern Miss can't beat itself.

As bad as the Golden Eagles have been this year, they surely can fall any farther can they?

UAB 21 USM 17

Jackson State Tigers

Jackson State took last week off and had two weeks to get ready for a road trip to face Grambling State. The Tigers should be in good shape in this game since Grambling State only has one win this season.

JSU can't afford anymore losses in SWAC play if the Tigers hope to catch or pass Alabama A&M and Alabama State. Jackson State should win this game with no problems but this one of the biggest rivalries in the SWAC so throw the records out the window.

JSU 27 GSU 17

Alcorn State Braves vs Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils

The Braves and the Delta Devils face each other in a game that features two teams that have out performed expectations this season. Alcorn State has three wins under new head coach Jay Hopson and Mississippi Valley State has two wins this year after getting just one win last season.

Alcorn State has a chance to finish the season strong with a chance at a winning season this year. The Braves only have Texas Southern and JSU left and both teams are beatable. At 3-5 the Braves must win out to have a winning season.

Mississippi Valley State has been in nearly every game this season because of their defense. MSVU is only allowing 19.3 points per game on defense this season.

Most the points scored on the Delta Devils came in back to back games when they gave up 45 points Northwestern State and 35 points to Alabama A&M. If you threw those games out, then MVSU would only be giving up 12.3 points per game.

The Delta Devils are going to be a dangerous team if their offense can catch up to their outstanding defense. If Mississippi Valley State can win one more game it tie the three wins this program had in 2009 and two more wins would be the best season since 2006.

Delta State Statesmen

Delta State takes a long road trip to Indianapolis to face the University of Indianapolis. The Statesmen face a steep test against the 7-2 Greyhounds.

This is a non-conference contest and Delta State has not been as good as they have in past seasons. I have a feeling it will be a long trip back home for the Statesmen after this game.

Indianapolis 34 DSU 24

Millsaps Majors

There are only two games left in the Majors season. Millsaps steps out of conference for the second week to face Austin College.

The Kangaroos have only won two games this season and the Majors haven't lost back to back games all season long. Millsaps should get back to their winning ways.

Millsaps 42 Austin 21

Belhaven Blazers

Belhaven must win their final two games to win the Mid-South Conference West Division and make the playoffs. Standing the way of that goal this week for the Blazers is the University of Pikeville.

The Bears have lost their last five games after starting the season winning four of their first five games. Belhaven on the other hand has won their last three games and have won five of their last seven games.

Belhaven 38 Pikeville 21

Mississippi College Choctaws

Mississippi College sits at 2-6 and two games left this season. The Choctaws are guaranteed to have a lose record no matter what happens in their final two games.

This week, 6-2 Louisiana College comes to Clinton. The Wildcats are a perfect 4-0 on the road.

Louisiana College 42 MC 28

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