2009 NCAA - Mississippi State
The Sylvester Croom Era in Starkville came to a crashing thud after last season. It came just one year after a stunning 8-5 record and a 2007 Liberty Bowl win, in addition to Croom winning SEC Coach of the Year. But the woefulness of the Bulldog power-I offense eventually did Croom in, and he resigned after a 4-8 season and a 45-0 loss to Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl. Croom's offense never finished above 96th nationally in his five seasons. The Bulldogs were 115th in scoring and 113th in total offense last fall, so a change had to be made. Into town comes Dan Mullen, the former Florida offensive coordinator who worked with Urban Meyer since both were at Bowling Green 10 years ago. Former Texas A&M offensive coordinator Les Koenning will help Mullen implement the high-tech spread-option attack. So excited are MSU fans that a school-record 31,000-plus came to watch the spring game. Despite the offensive woes, the Bulldogs were merely two missed field goals and a muffed punt away from a 7-5 record.
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Mississippi State
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Senior QB Tyson Lee ran the spread in both high school and JUCO, so he'll get the first shot. Check the status of reliable RB Anthony Dixon, who should again approach 200 carries. He got a DUI in July and could face a suspension. Losing him would be a damaging blow to an offense that is short on playmakers. Mullen wants TWELVE receivers to rotate in and out of his complex offense. He brings in seven new faces this fall. He also wants his five best O-linemen playing together, regardless of what their natural position is. On defense, MSU performed well for most of the season, considering the offense didn't help them any. Slick Carl Torbush takes over but only four starters return. Several JUCOs will try to help stop the run (162 yards per game, 4.3 ypc vs. I-A opposition), but the pass defense is a huge question mark at best, as three starters depart the secondary. |
| ASK the bookie? - Mullen is optimistic he can turn things back around, and the 2007 season proves it's possible. But this team is heads and shoulders worse than everyone in its division right now. All six FBS teams who invade Starkville in 2008 were bowl participants. Figure on the Bulldogs to be an underdog in every game, with the chance of winning 1 or 2 outside of the opener against Jackson State. |
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