Top Two Reasons Mullen Will Fail at Mississippi State

Jared Cox by Contributor Written on December 11, 2008
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First of all, this article, in no way, shape, or form is meant to discredit Mississippi State or really even Dan Mullen for that matter. It's more just my thoughts on the SEC, the spread offense, and why the program will suffer from trying to teach a bunch of old dogs new tricks. So let's get on with it shall we.

To start, I know a bunch of you out there are going to say the spread is already working in the SEC, look at Florida.  Ironically, my reasons it won't work at Mississippi State are actually the reasons it has worked at Florida.

 

1. Mississippi State does not have Tim Tebow. 

Hate him, love him, or just hate to love him. Tebow may not be Superman, but he is pretty close. The kid has everything when it comes to being a great leader and the ability to run the spread. One of Urban Meyer's assistants said upon arriving in Florida that if they didn't get Tebow the program would be set back ten years. So, my question is, where is the next Superman that's gonna keep Mississippi State from being set back ten years.

 

2. Anybody ever wonder why Florida teams always have such good quarterbacks and receivers?

Is it because they use the sunshine to lure great players in from all over? The answer is no, these players are born and raised there. So how is it the state of Florida produces such great QBs and WRs, the water maybe? Nope, it's the fact they have a whole high school football spring season committed to it.

Not just another football season, but a season completely devoted to QBs, WRs, and DBs. So while Mississippi players are running track or playing baseball in the spring, Florida is training QBs and WRs.  I.E. Florida has tons of spread type players being bred within the state, Mississippi does not.

So recruit out of state, right. From where I ask? Alabama, Saban has the lock down there. Louisiana, don't think so, LSU is pulling those guys. Arkansas, Bobby Petrino is running the spread up there, so why would I go to Mississippi Coach Mullen?

 

In essence the spread has worked at Florida because of an outstanding spread quarterback that Meyer has been blessed to have, and Florida is a hot bed for spread type players. Unfortunately Mississippi doesn't have either of these things, but what they do have is Houstan Nutt. Good luck dogs, but I don't see it happening with Mullen.

I may be wrong, but for all I know, I may be right....

Vote Now! - Author Poll

Will the spread offense soar at State, or crash and burn?

  • It'll be the most powerfull offense in the SEC.
  • It'll be ok, but not put them in contention to win the west.
  • It'll struggle, and they'll be calling for Mullen's head in five years.
  • It'll Crash and Burn, and he'll be fired mid season like Tony Franklin.
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

Will the spread offense soar at State, or crash and burn?

  • It'll be the most powerfull offense in the SEC.

    17.6%
  • It'll be ok, but not put them in contention to win the west.

    50.0%
  • It'll struggle, and they'll be calling for Mullen's head in five years.

    29.4%
  • It'll Crash and Burn, and he'll be fired mid season like Tony Franklin.

    2.9%
  • Total votes: 34
(0)
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written on December 11, 2008 Preview/Prediction

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