It's the most wonderful time of the year...
Honestly, if they'd only start fall camp a week or two earlier it would literally be Christmas in July. Football is back and I am basking in it's warm and fuzzy glow. This is the greatest time of the year for all the fans, because it's all still out there, waiting to be played. Everyone's favorite team is undefeated and gearing up to run the table all the way to the National Championship game. The coaches and players are gearing up, working out, and practicing their asses off (if they know what's good for them).
As an out-and-out Mississippi State fan it's hard not to see the world through maroon-colored glasses right now, but I try to remain realistic. Even so, our program is definitely on the rise.
Since the end of what is commonly referred to as the "Croom Error" (pronounced "era", and yes that honestly is Sly Croom in that pic) Mississippi State has made a lot of headway in very little time. Fresh off the heels of a 5-7 season that saw the Bulldogs lose by narrow margins and marginal officiating against the nation's second toughest schedule (or first, depending on your sources) the Maroon and White looks to be much improved on both sides of the ball.
Second year head coach Dan Mullen enters his sophomore season at the helm with all the momentum he can muster. This offensive genius was a heavy contributor to Urban Meyer's win column as the offensive coordinator at Florida. And in his first season as head coach he took a team that performed abysmally under "Sly" Croom and pulled a complete 180. Much of the workload last season was borne by Anthony "Boobie" Dixon, who has since been signed by the San Fransico 49ers.
However with Dixon's graduation there is no one star on the offensive side of the ball for opposing coaches to game plan around. But this suits Mullen's system just fine. Mullen will be employing a spread option offense again this season, and with a taller and more athletic QB leading the offense the sky's the limit. The running back stable is full of talent in the likes of Vick Ballard and Nick Elliot, and it's up to these young men as to who will step up and fill Dixon's sizeable shoes.
On the defensive side of the ball, injuries plagued the Bulldogs last season, but as of the time this post was written the entire 2-deep rotation is in perfect health and looking strong. Players like Pernell McPhee (6'4" 285 lbs.) and James Carmon (6'7" 245 lbs.) will create all sorts of mismatch opportunities on the line, allowing Manny Diaz to install aggressive blitz packages from everywhere. This will hearken back to MSU's glory days on defense, when Joe Lee Dunn was the defensive coordinator for Jackie Sherrill.
And that's only the tip of the iceberg. For the first time this CENTURY the Bulldogs actually have depth at most of their positions. Nevermind that they are staring another pre-season top 5 strength of schedule in the face again. MSU faces defending National Champs Alabama, and preseason coach's poll favorites Florida (3), Arkansas (19) and Auburn (23) on the road. Dan Mullen is looking to win every single one of these games, and based on his and his team's performance last season, there's a chance he could pull it off.
But like I said, I try to remain realistic, and it is with that thought in mind that I present my best guesstimation of how the season will play out for the Bulldogs. I can see the Dogs finishing 5-7, I expect them to finish 6-6 and win their bowl game handily, and I would be ecstatic with 7-5 or anything better.
Mississippi State Bulldogs 2010 Schedule
Sept. 4 Memphis - W
Sept. 9 Auburn - L*
Sept. 18 at LSU - L
Sept. 25 Georgia - L
Oct. 2 Alcorn State - W
Oct. 9 at Houston - W
Oct. 16 at Florida - L
Oct. 23 UAB - W
Oct. 30 Kentucky - W
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 at Alabama - L
Nov. 20 Arkansas - L
Nov. 27 at Ole Miss - W
So this is how I see it playing out. First off we'll take the non-conference games. Memphis looks to be a cellar-dweller in an already out-matched CUSA match up, and the Bulldogs historically take care of business against Memphis even in their worst of seasons. Alcorn State and UAB, I mean you no disrespect, but these are pretty much a given.
The asterisk(*) beside the Auburn game is for one simple reason: This is the game that could define the Bulldogs' season. It's their first conference game, coming at home against a good Auburn team that will be marshaled by Cam Newton. This will be Newton's first SEC game, and the MSU defense will give him a waaaarm welcome. Also, Dan Mullen worked with Newton when both were in Florida, before Newton was dismissed and Mullen was hired away, so Mullen knows at least a bit about what to expect and what weaknesses Newton might exhibit. A win here gives the Dogs momentum going into a tough game at Tiger Stadium the next week, and LSU could get off to rocky start as well.
Assuming the Dogs go 1-1 in their first two SEC games that will give this team enough confidence in itself to know they can line up and beat any given team on any given day. A loss to Auburn could have the Bulldogs second guessing themselves before they even get started this season. It is for this reason I put the asterisk by the Auburn game, as a win in this game could launch the following alternate timeline:
Sept. 4 Memphis - W
Sept. 9 Auburn - W*
Sept. 18 at LSU - W
Sept. 25 Georgia - L
Oct. 2 Alcorn State - W
Oct. 9 at Houston - W
Oct. 16 at Florida - L
Oct. 23 UAB - W
Oct. 30 Kentucky - W
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 at Alabama - L
Nov. 20 Arkansas - W
Nov. 27 at Ole Miss - W
So now you're obviously thinking "I'll have whatever HE'S having." Nine wins? I mean this is Mississippi State, right? Right. This is Mississippi State. The same team that, in 1999, had several dramatic "come from behind" victories in the last 2 minutes or less of many of their games. The same team that in 1991 beat highly touted Texas 13-6. The same team that in 1980 defeated Alabama 6-3 and ended Alabama's all-time school record 28-game winning streak and all-time SEC record 27-game conference winning streak.
These Bulldogs are often underrated, and that will work to their favor this season. A word of warning to the perennial powerhouses of the SEC; Overlook these Dogs at your peril.
Aaahhhh... football is in the air. Can you feel it?
