GAME NOTES: Fresh off a heart-breaking defeat, the 25th-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs get back to action this weekend against the Ole Miss Rebels in SEC action.

Mississippi State has suffered back-to-back defeats to fall to 7-4 overall, including 3-4 in SEC action. The losses this season have come against LSU, Auburn, Alabama and Arkansas, four of the nation's top teams. Last week, the Bulldogs dropped a 38-31 double-overtime decision to Arkansas, and it will be interesting to see how head coach Dan Mullen's squad responds this weekend.

"This is obviously a very disappointing loss for us, and I put that on our coaching staff," said Mullen after the setback against the Razorbacks. "We have to do a much better job making sure we are focused and making the plays we need to make."

As for Ole Miss, it will not be eligible for the postseason regardless of the result of this weekend's affair. Houston Nutt's Rebels have struggled mightily this season, losing seven of their 11 games, including five of the last six. Five of the seven defeats have come by double figures, but last weekend's game was close, a 43-36 loss at LSU.

"You like the way they played," Nutt said of his players. "You like the way they competed and they left their hearts out there. That's the thing that I'll go to sleep with tonight."

Ole Miss owns a 60-40-6 series advantage over Mississippi State, although it was the Bulldogs who captured a 41-27 win in Starkville last season.

Through 11 outings, Mississippi State is generating 26.7 ppg and 384.9 total ypg. The Bulldogs have posted 35 offensive touchdowns this season, and 23 of those have been of the rushing variety. Vick Ballard has 15 rushing scores to his credit and has racked up 849 yards on the ground despite a low total of 144 attempts. Chris Relf, the team's quarterback, is second on the MSU roster with 617 rushing yards and four touchdowns. As a passer, Relf has connected on 55.4 percent of his throws for 1,220 yards and seven touchdowns against four interceptions. Chad Bumphis leads the Bulldog receivers with 43 catches for 590 yards and five touchdowns, and the club has lost only six fumbles this season.

Opponents are managing 20.1 ppg and 361.0 total ypg against MSU this season. The Bulldogs have yielded 25 touchdowns to opposing offenses, and 16 of those have been passing scores. MSU has been better against the run than the pass, as the club is giving up just 3.7 yards per carry while yielding 12.4 yards per pass completion. With 24 takeaways and 23 sacks, MSU has made a solid amount of impact plays. Keep an eye on Chris White, as he leads the team with 96 total tackles, 14 TFLs and six sacks.

MSU trailed Arkansas by 10 points with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter of last week's game. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, Ballard was able to score on a five-yard run, capping a 14-play, 75-yard drive. Then, Arkansas fumbled the ball away when attempting to run out the clock, and the Bulldogs were able to register a field goal as regulation time expired. Despite 486 total yards, the offense went quiet in both overtime periods failing to score a single point. Ballard finished the game with 150 rushing yards and three scores, while Relf, who ran for 103 yards and a touchdown, completed 20-of-30 passes for 224 yards.

Defensively, MSU struggled against Arkansas, permitting five touchdowns and 488 total yards. Over 300 passing yards were surrendered by the Bulldogs, who simply didn't get the job done.

"We just missed a lot of tackles," said senior defensive end Pernell McPhee. "For the first three quarters we held them pretty well but they were able to push and get those big plays. We have to get back and fix that next week."

While this season has clearly been a disappointment for Ole Miss, don't assume that a weak offense has been the cause of the problems. The Rebels can move the ball and score points, and the proof is the 31.3 ppg and 406.5 total ypg that the Rebels average. Jeremiah Masoli has been a bit inconsistent under center, however, as the former Oregon Duck has completed just 56.7 percent of his passes for 1,778 yards and 13 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. The fact that Ole Miss lacks a standout receiver certainly hasn't helped Masoli, who is second on the team in rushing with 532 yards and six scores. Brandon Bolden, the club's tailback, has rushed for 931 yards and 13 touchdowns, and he figures to be a big part of the game plan this weekend.

Stopping the opposition has been tremendously problematic for coach Nutt's team, which is being victimized for 35.5 ppg and 390.2 total ypg. The Rebels have allowed 41 total touchdowns to opposing offenses, including 21 through the air, and the fact that they have only intercepted five passes is obviously troublesome. The run defense has struggled at times as well, and the defensive unit as a whole has many problems that won't be fixed this late in the season.

Ole Miss registered 420 total yards against LSU last time out, but three turnovers crushed the Rebels' chances of winning the game. Bolden ran for 91 yards and a touchdown, while Masoli posted two rushing scores of his own. As a passer, Masoli completed 15-of-23 attempts for 177 yards with one touchdown, but he was picked off twice.

"He competed like a warrior," said Nutt of Masoli.

Meanwhile, the Ole Miss defense was victimized for 470 yards and five touchdowns.

Forget the records, this game will be close from start to finish. While the Bulldogs will play in a bowl game, Ole Miss will treat Saturday's showdown like a bowl. For that reason, give an edge to the Rebels.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ole Miss 27, Mississippi State 24