The Mississippi State Bulldogs announced themselves as dark horse College Football Playoff contenders on Saturday, upsetting the #8 LSU Tigers 34-29 in Baton Rouge.
The Bulldogs (4-0) have been overlooked so far in 2014, heading into Saturday's contest both undefeated and unranked despite outscoring their opponents by a count of 131-34 over their first three contests.
They will be passed over no longer after riding a balanced attack to 570 total yards (268 passing, 302 rushing), slicing and dicing up the LSU defense in front of a shocked record crowd at Tiger Stadium during the game's first three quarters.
The biggest reason for that level of balance? Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott, who had an absolute coming-out party both in the air (15-of-24, 268 yards, 2 TD) and on the ground (22 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD).
Add in a career-best day for RB Josh Robinson (16 carries, 197 yards, 1 TD) and some All-American work on the offensive line and the Bulldogs looked like they belong in prime time going forward in 2014.
For LSU, it's back to the drawing board as they try to patch up a defense that gave up more rushing yards to Miss. St. than it had given up in total yards by any of their first three opponents.
LSU fought to the very end, however, cutting a 34-10 deficit down to 34-29 with three fourth-quarter touchdowns, including touchdown strikes of 31 and 30 yards by QB Brandon Harris to Malachi Dupre. Harris came in in relief of a struggling Anthony Jennings, and almost led LSU all the way back.
Harris hit a 22-yard pass with 20 seconds left and no timeouts left, followed by a scramble and spike in Hail Mary territory at the MSU 46. His final heave, though, would be intercepted at the one-yard line - sealing a signature SEC upset for the Bulldogs.
LSU will host New Mexico State in a likely bounce-back game next Saturday night, while the undoubtedly-ranked Bulldogs get a bye before hosting #6 Texas A&M on October 4th.
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