Music to listen to: Like a Pimp by David Banner
I know that he went to Southern for college but when I think of modern Mississippi music, I think of David Banner. To even consider Britney Spears or Soulja Boy would be insulting.
Last Season: The Bulldogs had one of their most successful season in program history, finishing the year 9-4, including wins over Florida and Georgia, the first time Mississippi State has ever done that in the same season.
The Bulldogs also lost to eventual national champion Auburn by only three points and Arkansas by seven in double-overtime. If Mississippi State had won these two games, it would have been BCS bound.
The year ended on a positive note with wins at Mississippi in the Egg Bowl and a complete domination of Michigan in the Gator Bowl, 52-14.
Offense: Last preseason, there was an open competition at the quarterback position that was eventually won by Chris Relf. The senior now has firm control of head coach Dan Mullen’s offense and will have a more experienced receiving group to work with this season. He’s the dual-threat quarterback (he rushed for more than 700 yards last season) that should thrive in the offense.
However, the Bulldogs will continue to rush the ball the majority of time behind talented senior Vick Ballard, who has 20 total touchdowns last season and rushed for more than 900 yards last year. He has become one of the underrated offensive weapons in all of college football. Joining Ballard in the backfield is LaDariius Perkins who himself gained 566 yards last season.
The Bulldogs did lose left tackle Derek Sherrod from last season but kept most of the offensive line in tact.
Defense: The biggest loss from last season was co-defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, who is now at Texas. There is still continuity however as Chris Wilson was promoted from being co-DC to being the top guy to run the defense.
Also of concern is the loss of all three starters at linebacker from last year. However, the entire secondary returns this season and that should help ease the transition of the new starters in the front seven.
Coaching: Dan Mullen has taken a job that was arguably the next-to-worst head coaching gig in the SEC (as a Vandy alum, it hurts to make that statement) and made people take notice of the improvements in the program.
The bad part about being in the SEC is that I’ve mentioned all of the positive accomplishments that the Bulldogs had last year and they still finished FIFTH in the SEC West. Mullen has seemed to take on the challenges of being at MSU and is committed to taking them on. In fact, when the Florida job came open this past offseason, there seemed to be no indications that Mullen was looking at the position and wanted to stay with the Bulldogs. Part of this may have been part of some grand scheme we’re not aware of yet but if Mullen can stay with MSU, the program may be on its best run since the Jackie Sherrill era.
Schedule:
9/1 at Memphis
9/10 at Auburn
9/15 vs. LSU
9/24 vs. Louisiana Tech
10/1 at Georgia
10/8 at UAB
9/15 vs. South Carolina
9/29 at Kentucky
11/5 vs. Tennessee Martin
11/12 vs. Alabama
11/19 at Arkansas
11/26 vs. Ole Miss
Every schedule in the SEC is difficult, especially if you’re in the West. The contest at Auburn in the second contest will probably be a major decider in whether the season will resemble last year or not. After that game, they get consensus preseason top-five squad LSU coming to town. Furthermore, they host South Carolina and go to Georgia from the East, not getting Tennessee or Vanderbilt, which would have been easier contests. Its one of the more challenging schedules in the nation.
Best case: The Bulldogs find a way to upset LSU at home and take care of business against everyone else accept for Arkansas, Alabama and maybe South Carolina, meaning that the team has another nine-win season before the bowl game and has a chance for double-digit wins in the season.
Worst case: A loss to Auburn leads to a year where the Bulldogs beat everyone they’re supposed to but lose to every squad better than them, which translate to a 6-6 record.
Alumna Crush: I did extensive research (Wikipedia) and didn’t find one Crush to choose from among the alums of Mississippi State. I’m sure there are some “talented” women that have graduated from the school but I didn’t see anything up to standards.
However, I did find that Shauntay Hinton was born and raised in Starkville so she works in these circumstances. I don’t care that she went to Howard for college, lets keep it moving.
Favorite football alum: I really wanted to go with one of my favorite players growing up, Will “The Thrill” Clark…
but this is a football post and this section is called “favorite football alum.” Alas, I’ll take Jerious Norwood, who had a decent run for the Atlanta Falcons and is now a St. Louis Ram.
Uniform Grade:
Its very tough when your two main colors are a dark shade and white. There isn’t much flexibility with these options. They’ve tried a black jersey but it constantly clashes with the maroon helmet, making for a bad looking two-toned appearance. I admire the loyalty to school colors so I’m not going to give a failing grade (wait till I get to Boise State’s preview) but this barely passes. Furthermore, I don’t have an alternative to suggest. If I come up with something, I’ll send it to the athletic department. Grade: C-
Final Thoughts: As long as the SEC is in its current division format, the Bulldogs will always peak as the third or fourth-best team in the West and that doesn’t include the East.
However, there are many obtainable goals for MSU and most of them were achieved last year. If the offense can continue to develop and the linebacking group matures, the Bulldogs can possibly return to a New Year’s Day bowl.
Prediction: 8-4
The Sports Inquirer 
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