Week 6: Alcorn State at New Mexico State

This game is little more than a chance for the Aggies to get into a groove. Alcorn State agreed to play this game after New Mexico State’s opener against Nicholls State was wiped out by Hurricane Gustav.

Because of that cancellation, the Aggies didn’t open the season until week three and after back-to-back games against rivals they need a chance to catch their breath, work out the kinks and catch up with their opponents in game reps.

New Mexico State, which beat UTEP and lost to New Mexico in the fourth quarter, is starting to get its aerial assault cranked up. Quarterback Chase Holbrook leads the WAC in touchdown passes (eight), A.J. Harris leads the WAC in receptions (7.0 per game) and Chris Williams leads the WAC in receiving yards (83.3 per game).

All that offense should be too much for Alcorn State to handle. Alcorn is scoring just 10.6 points per game, including a total of 25 in its past four games. It has been shut out twice this year.

Notes:

New Mexico State has the worst run defense in the nation at 301.3 yards per game.

New Mexico State safety Derrick Richardson leads the nation with 15.3 tackles per game.

Troy, the only FBS team Alcorn State has played, beat the Braves 65-0 on Sept. 13.

Key Player (Braves) — Javayle Fields, DL

Fields has 4.5 sacks this season, including two last week, to rank tied for 15th in sacks in the FCS. He and the Braves need to generate a pass rush to slow down Holbrook. The Braves average 3.6 sacks per game, fifth in FCS.

Key Player (Aggies) — Chase Holbrook, QB

Alcorn lacks the offensive firepower to keep up if Holbrook has a big day — and he’s had two of those in a row. In the past two weeks, Holbrook is 53-of-77 for 711 yards and eight touchdowns with three interceptions. Those performances drove his efficiency rating up to 145.84, 33rd in FBS.

New Mexico State by 43