2010 Recap
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| Dan Mullen |
Dan Mullen is the hottest thing to hit Starkville since well...lets just say its been awhile.
With all the hype of Dan Mullen and all his early successes at Mississippi State the Bulldogs surprised some in 2010. Despite being slated in the terrific SEC West the Bulldogs finished the season 9-4 (4-4 in SEC games), finishing the season with the thrashing of Michigan in the Gator Bowl (52-14).
Why all the success for the Bulldogs? Dan Mullen for one, and the combination of Chris Relf and Vick Ballard. Although Relf never put up tremendous numbers passing, Mississippi State finishing with the nations 86th ranked passing attack he managed the game to the satisfaction of Dan Mullen. Ballard on the other hand led the nations 16th ranked rushing attack the team averaging over 214 yards per game.
Recruiting
The key positions of need for the Bulldogs to succeed in 2011 are undoubtedly along the defensive line and primarily at the linebacker position. Mississippi State lost all of its starters from the 2010 core and must replace them if they want to surpass their 9 win total from a year ago.
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| Brandon Maye |
Did they do that in their 2011 recruiting class? Yes and no. Not only did the Bulldogs received a commitment from Shaquille Perry the nations 45th ranked outside linebacker prospect who looks like a redshirt possibility, but they also received a commitment from Clemson linebacker transfer Brandon Maye. Maye started 33 games while at Clemson and totaled 233 tackles and a single season record 5 forced fumbles in 2009.
Outside of Maye the only player of the 2011 class (according to rankings) with a shot at playing time is Tupelo, Mississippi standout P.J. Jones. Jones a defensive tackle prospect ranked as the nations 21st prospect at his position arrives this fall and will compete with returning starters Josh Boyd and Fletcher Cox along the bulldog front four.
2011 Season Prediction
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| Chris Relf |
Dont expect much help from the incoming freshman in 2011, with that said this Mississippi State team is a very risky #19 in our polls. It is just as likely that they finish 9-3 or 10-2 at best as a disappointing 6-6. Such is the life in the SEC. Clearly we believe that Mississippi State will build off of the successes of 2010 and with the return of Chris Relf and Vick Ballard the Bulldogs should prove a stout opponent in the SEC West. And with the recent release of NCAA sanctions against LSU who knows how the Tigers will react from the news, an early season loss to Oregon and a week three loss to Mississippi State could be very likely.
If the question marks at linebacker and left tackle can be answered and prove serviceable expect the Bulldogs to compete with Alabama and LSU for the SEC West title.The Bulldogs get powerhouses LSU, South Carolina and Alabama all at home, expect the bulldogs to surprise one of the three and finish the season 9-3.
2011 Season Schedule
Sep. 1 - @Memphis
Sep. 10 - @Auburn
Sep. 15 - LSU
Sep. 24 - Louisiana Tech
Oct. 1 - @Georgia
Oct. 8 - @UAB
Oct. 15 - South Carolina
Oct. 29 - @Kentucky
Nov. 5 - Tennessee Martin
Nov. 12 - Alabama
Nov. 19 - @Arkansas
Nov. 26 - Ole Miss
