The 2014 Orange Bowl should be a pretty straightforward affair, as everyone knows what the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets like to do. Both teams will run the ball, and and they're going to run it a lot.
Watch the 2014 Orange Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech game time, TV schedule, live online streaming
Get ready for a physical game between Mississippi State and Georgia Tech. Here’s how to tune in.
Georgia Tech's offense still makes its living on the ground, but 2014 has been their best season throwing the ball probably since Paul Johnson came to Atlanta. Quarterback Justin Thomas is a dangerous passer, but unfortunately, their top receiver DeAndre Smelter will miss the game with a torn ACL.
For Mississippi State, expect a heavy dose of Dak Prescott and Josh Robinson. The two combined for well over 2,100 rushing yards in 2014. Their defense is similarly talented at stopping the run, only allowing 3.7 yards/carry this season, good for 31st in the nation. Georgia Tech is tough to stop when their option is really humming, but the Bulldogs should make it tough.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Radio: Mississippi State | Georgia Tech
Online streaming: WatchESPN
The numbers
Rankings and records: Mississippi State finished the season 10-2 (6-2 SEC), and ranked 7th in the nation. Georgia Tech was 10-3 (6-2 ACC), and is ranked 12th in the nation. Georgia Tech leads the all-time series 4-0.
Vegas: Mississippi State opened as a seven-point favorite. The over/under is either 61.5 or 62, depending on your sportsbook of choice.
Weather forecast: Kickoff temperatures will be in the low 70 with mostly dry weather with a partly cloudy sky and warm weather.
Two things at stake
Mississippi State: Their first 11-win season ever. That’s right, the Bulldogs have never won more than 10 games in program history.
Georgia Tech: Only their second bowl win since 2004. The Yellow Jackets have been to a bowl game every year since 1997, but they have had a miserable time winning bowl games over the past decade. Outside of a Sun Bowl win over USC in 2012, Georgia Tech’s last bowl win was in 2004.
One big matchup
Georgia Tech’s offense vs. Mississippi State’s defense. Georgia Tech’s offense is not built to come from behind. It’s methodical and bruising, but it’s not going to pull you out of a three-score hole when the clock is against you. They need to be productive early and stay on the front foot against Mississippi State’s very stout front seven, otherwise things could get ugly.
Further reading
For more on the Bulldogs, check out For Whom The Cowbell Tolls. For more on the Yellow Jackets, head over to From The Rumble Seat.
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