Mississippi State is probably going to take a step back in 2016. Nobody meant more to their team than Dak Prescott, and replacing him is a monstrous challenge. The SEC West is as good as it has ever been and the Bulldogs have road trips to Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss. You can never count coach Dan Mullen’s team out. That was proven last year. But it can’t be understated how vital Prescott was to the team’s success the past few years.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Regular Season Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
Bulldogs Over 6.5 Wins -120
Bulldogs Under 6.5 Wins +100
2015 MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS SEASON REVIEW
Mississippi State’s hopes for a SEC West title essentially ended in the second week of the season when the Bulldogs dropped a heart-breaker at home to LSU. However, that didn’t prevent Mullen’s group from putting together one of the finest years in school history behind the stellar play of Prescott.
A 31-6 loss to eventual SEC champion Alabama wasn’t shocking and it eliminated the Bulldogs from contention in the division. What was surprising, though, was losing by as large a margin as they did. Prescott endured one of the worst outings of his distinguished career and the defense allowed big play after big play. All four Alabama touchdowns covered at least 60 yards.
One week later, the emotions turned in MSU’s wild 51-50 shootout win over Arkansas. Prescott threw for 508 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 46 yards and a pair of scores. He had more offensive yards than any other SEC team that day. In typical fashion, Prescott was named MVP of the Belk Bowl leading the Bulldogs to their second straight nine-win season, a MSU first.
WHAT CHANGED
The biggest reason the Bulldogs were able to overachieve last year was Prescott, the school’s all-time leading passer. But now Prescott has moved on to the NFL, and the quarterback position is their largest question mark. Expected to take his place is sophomore Nick Fitzgerald, who went 11-of-14 for 235 yards and three touchdowns without a pick in limited action last year.
Prescott was also the team’s leading rusher last year with 588 yards and 10 touchdowns. The running game was certainly a weakness, and it could be again with senior Brandon Holloway expected to take over the lead role. Ashton Shumpert will also get a few touches again.
2016 MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Sep. 3: vs. South Alabama
Sep. 10: vs. South Carolina
Sep. 17: at LSU
Sep. 24: at Massachusetts
Oct. 8: vs. Auburn
Oct. 14: at BYU
Oct. 22: at Kentucky
Oct. 29: vs. Samford
Nov. 5: vs. Texas AM
Nov. 12: at Alabama
Nov. 19: vs. Arkansas
Nov. 26: at Mississippi
2016 MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS SEASON PREVIEW
How will the Bulldogs replace Prescott? That is the biggest question heading into the season. There are quarterbacks waiting for their opportunity – Fitzgerald is the top contender on the list. But it will be a huge challenge to truly replace Prescott, considering what he meant to the program.
The defense – though it must replace coordinator Manny Diaz – started only one senior in the Belk Bowl. So Mississippi State could return 10 players who started against NC State in that game. That kind of experience bodes well for the Bulldogs, especially as they work in a new quarterback on the other side of the football.
It’s tough to put the Bulldogs down near the bottom of the standings because they always seem to overachieve with Mullen running the show. Six consecutive bowl games and a combined 19-7 record over the past two seasons aren’t anything to laugh at.
The defense will keep the Bulldogs competitive while the offense has a chance to gain some experience early in the season. Mississippi State does draw two of the worst teams from the East in Kentucky and South Carolina. But road games at Alabama, Ole Miss and LSU will keep it out of SEC title contention. However, seven wins is well within reach, leaving MSU over its projected total.
College Football Odds: Mississippi State Bulldogs Over 6.5 Wins
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