Mississippi State Bulldogs Season Preview

Coming off an impressive 52-14 victory over Michigan in the Gator Bowl that sent Rich Rodriguez packing, Dan Mullen attempts to once again prove the naysayers wrong.

Through two years in Starkville, Mullen already is over .500 at 14-11. The third year is expected to be another successful season, especially coming off a 9-4 season.

Mullen was Urban Meyer’s quarterback coach at both Bowling Green and Utah and was also the OC/QB coach during his tenure in Gainesville with the Gators. 

Offense That Is Not Sexy but Extremely Effective

The passing game struggled most times averaging only 186 yards per game, (86th) but they made improvements from Mullen’s first season (144 YPG/113th).  He changed their system and personnel with Chris Relf as his quarterback. He is back under center and his top target Chad Bumphis is expected back healthy as well.

Relf torched Michigan for 281 by completing 18 of 23 passes. The Bulldogs have a spread offense with three and even sometimes four wide receivers. The bread and butter however is the running ability of Relf at quarterback as well as Vick Ballard. Ballard nearly topped 1,000 yards in only ten starts last year. 

They ranked 16th in America averaging 214 yards per game and they must continue to control the line of scrimmage if they are going to be a top 25 team if not better in 2011.

Starting center Quentin Saulsberry is an All-SEC performer and will need to carry this team in the trenches. Despite losing two linemen which will hurt the line, the entire offense will be back to wreak havoc on the SEC.

Underrated in the SEC?

The defense returns seven starters and should be dominant once again. Last year they ranked 15th in the country allowing only 119 yards per game, which ranked 3rd in SEC behind the world beaters: Auburn (9th) and Alabama (10th). 

The front seven returns only three starters back but brings in a former starting linebacker at Clemson in Brandon Maye (25 starts 190 tackles). Look for him to shine behind a few studs up front (Fletcher Cox & Josh Boyd).

That front seven will be among the best not only in the SEC West, but in the entire SEC because of how physical they are. This defense is vastly underrated as they just abused a solid Michigan offense in their bowl game.

Dan Mullen is turning into the Chris Petersen of coaches as he is not talked about enough. Mullen really impressed me last season and he will not fool me again with 16 starters back!

They Are Legit

The secondary was abysmal last year ranking 91st in the nation, giving up 237 yards per game. Luckily, all four starters return and the headliner of the bunch is Corey Broomfield. 

Charles Mitchell (Senior) is a solid playmaker who was highly touted coming out of high school and is slowly starting to live up to the hype. Johnathan Banks is another defensive back that could start for several SEC teams as well. 

This Bulldogs was completely under the radar as they gave the Arkansas Razorbacks all they could handle before eventually losing 38-31 in double overtime. That was the same Pig Suey squad that was a top-10 team all season and went to the BCS Sugar Bowl.

Drama's Forecast

The schedule is very favorable despite a few back to back games. First they go to the Plains at Auburn and go back home against LSU. Mixed in are games at Georgia and home against South Carolina. And finally for good measure they finish the season out against Alabama (home), Arkansas (road) and in the Egg Bowl (Ole Miss, home).

Mullen shocked the college football land a bit last season going 9-4 in a season where not many even knew one player on the team outside of SEC country. This defense has a few big name players up front and back in the secondary. Plus, their offense is starting to develop into something beyond respectful. Mark Dan Mullen and the Bulldogs for another nine win season.

Predicted Finish: 10-3, 5-3

Predicted Bowl: Cotton Bowl

Predicted Order of Finish: Fourth in West, Fifth in SEC