Historical Analysis: Georgia Tech vs. Mississippi State

In the historical series between Georgia Tech and Mississippi State, the two teams have only played four times, with the Yellow Jackets winning each one of them. Let's take a look at each of those games.

1908

With this game taking place as long ago as it did, it was pretty difficult to find a whole lot of information on it. The game took place October 17, 1908 in Atlanta, GA. Legendary coach John Heisman led Tech, and Fred Furman led Mississippi State (who was called Mississippi A&M at the time).

In terms of the game itself, I couldn't find anything other than the final score: 23-0. Clearly, Heisman's Tech team proved to be more than enough for A&M.

1929

Again, there wasn't really a whole lot of information here. Since the first meeting, State had changed head coaches quite a few times, and now John W. Hancock was the head man. For Tech, the Heisman family drama had ended and William Alexander had taken over and continued Heisman's great work.

Mississippi State proved again that they were no real match for Tech, losing this time by a final score of 27-13.

2008

Now, we take a big jump in time. After nearly an 80-year break, Tech and Mississippi State decided to play each other once again. It was Sylvester Croom's last season as the head coach before Dan Mullen took over for Mississippi State. For Tech, Paul Johnson had just taken the mantle as the head coach.

Since we're getting more modern here, we can actually get some information about the game!

Tech made pretty quick work of the Bulldogs, shutting them out until the fourth quarter and then beating them by a final score of 38-7, the series' largest margin.

Jaybo Shaw started the game at quarterback, but this game was all about Jonathan Dwyer. Dwyer ran the ball only nine times for a grand total of 141 yards (15.7 yards/carry) and had an 88-yard touchdown run.

Defensive end Michael Johnson also had a big game. He finished with a blocked field goal, two deflected passes, a fumble recovery and a fourth-down sack.

2009

These two teams didn't wait quite as long to play again. The only head coaching change came for Mississippi State as Dan Mullen came over from the University of Florida to replace Sylvester Croom.

This game definitely proved to be the most competitive between these two teams. Both teams' offenses fought hard, but Tech fought harder, winning 42-31.

Quarterback Josh Nesbitt had a career day and the Tech defense turned the ball over five times in Starkville that night.

Nesbitt took advantage of the height difference between Demaryius Thomas and the opposing corner, who was about five inches shorter, the entire night. Thomas caught eight passes for 174 yards and a touchdown. In addition to that, Nesbitt also completed two more passes in 14 total attempts for a total of 266 yards and the touchdown to Thomas.

Outside the Head-to-Head Match-ups

Now, let's take a look at how the teams compare historically. I obtained all of this information here at Winsipedia.

In the 12 categories that Winsipedia details, Tech holds the advantage in eight of them. A couple things that stand out to me:

Tech has had more players drafted into the NFL, but Mississippi State has had more players drafted in the first round.

Tech has spent more time in the AP Top 25, but Mississippi State has spent more time as the AP No. 1.

What does this mean for us?

Clearly, Tech has owned the series and for the most part has been far more successful historically. This could also very well be the best team Mississippi State has ever put on the field. It is certainly the best that Tech will have played. This is also the best Tech team in recent memory.

Will the history between these two teams have any impact on the game?