| written by Jess Nicholas
Returning Offensive Starters: 2 (QB,
LT)
Returning Defensive Starters: 7 (LE, LT, RT, LLB, LCB, RCB, SS)
Returning Specialists: 1 (P)
Projected Overall Record: 7-4 (OSU,
LSU, UA, ARK)
Projected SEC Record: 5-3 (LSU, UA, ARK)
Projected SEC West Record: 2-3 (LSU, UA, ARK)
Ratings (Ex, Vg, Av, Fr, Pr)
Quarterbacks: Fr Defensive Line: Vg
Running backs: Vg Linebackers: Vg
Wide Receivers: Fr Defensive Backs: Vg
Offensive Line: Vg Special Teams: Av
Mississippi State came out of nowhere
to win a tightly-contested SEC Western Division in 1998, owing
largely to the easiest record in the SEC. The Bulldogs benefit from
that same easy schedule in 1999, but will it be enough to send the
Bullies flying back into first place? Mississippi State must make up
for huge losses on the offensive side of the ball and their kicker
is untested, but wily Jackie Sherrill is still managing the controls
and that makes up for a lot.
OFFENSE
Remember the following phrase: Walker
at Right Guard, 4 yard gain. You'll be hearing it a lot this year.
Dispite rumors that the Bulldogs will try to open up their offense,
their best bet is to stay on the ground where they're very
dangerous. Talent deficiencies at quarterback and wide receiver
coupled with a mammoth offensive line means the path of least
resistance lies between the tackles and on sure footing.
QUARTERBACKS
Following this upcoming season, Wayne Madkin should go on tour as a
magician. The sleight-of-hand tricks he used last year to keep the
quarterback job would make Houdini proud. While he proved himself as
a leader, Madkin simply doesn't have the talent of a star
quarterback, and if the preseason stories of more passing are true,
Madkin probably won't be able to deliver. He has good mobility, but
only a pop-gun arm that resulted in a sub-50% completion rate and
nearly as many interceptions (9) as touchdowns (11). There is
experience among the backups, but the coaches would just as soon not
have that experience make the field. Matt Wyatt will play-as a pooch
punter that is-but fellow reserve Rob Morgan probably won't. Bulldog
fans are in a tizzy about incoming freshman Kevin Fant, but a
redshirt year would do wonders for the prospect. By all accounts, he
should get it.
RUNNING BACKS
The graduation of James Johnson left a gaping hole at tailback for
exactly one month. Then the Bulldogs signed Dontae Walker, ranked as
the #5 prospect in the Southeast by NARCAS. Walker already has a
professional's build, and glides along the field not unlike former
Alabama star Sherman Williams. Walker should be able to beat out the
talented, but fairly inexperienced trio of Chris Rainey, Justin
Griffith, and Dicenzo Miller. Rainey does all things well but
nothing spectacular. Griffith is mindful of Johnson in build, but is
probably not quite as quick to the hole. Miller has good speed and
size and will probably present the stiffest challenge.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Kelvin Love was a godsend to Jackie Sherrill last year, coming in
from junior college, moving from quarterback to receiver, and
succeeding immediately. However, Love was at his best when he was
the second or third receiver in the set. Now, he will be the
featured guy, and it remains to be seen whether he can handle that.
Matt Butler and Harold Lindsey are the two guys gunning for the
other slot, with Lorenzo Armstead also in the mix. The rest are a
group of no-names, and it's more than just a safe bet that either
one of two signees, Keshun Fudge (if eligible) and Terrell Grindle
will eventually end up as the other starter. The coaches are holding
their breath on this position, especially if they plan to up the
number of pass plays. As for tight ends, though, the major issue is
health. If Terrence McCaskey stays healthy, there will be no
problems. If C.J. Sirmones, the likely backup, is forced into
action, Mississippi State could be in trouble. Sirmones is on the
light side, but will probably one day develop into a good receiver.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Gad, they're big. They're ALWAYS big. Big, big, big. The average
weight of this line is somewhere approaching "Buick."
While size isn't an issue, however, experience and mobility are. The
appropriately-named Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack is the lone
returning starter in this bunch and the only other returning
offensive starter besides QB Madkin. Wesley Shivers will start at
right tackle, opposite Womack. Right guard Michael Fair is very
underrated, but center Paul Mooney and left guard Kenric Fairchild
are largely (pun intended) unknowns. While Tron Thomas is currently
listed as a backup, it would be no surprise to see himself start at
guard before year's end. Depth everywhere else is a major issue,
however, with only junior guard Matt McRae having any meaningful
experience. Perhaps the biggest (pun intended again) question,
however, is how this line will respond to pass blocking.
DEFENSE
The talent is here, and more
importantly, so is Defensive Coordinator Joe Lee Dunn. The
combination of experience at each group coupled with Dunn's prowess
makes Mississippi State lethal on this side of the ball. Expect the
Bulldogs to rely heavily on their defense while the offense grows
up.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Bulldogs are one of the few teams left employing the antiquated
5-2 defensive front. While another linebacker is preferable for most
coaches, the 5-2 set allows the Bulldogs to get seniors Kevin Sluder
and Cornell Menafee both charging in from the right side at once.
Menafee, a strong pass rusher, and the run-stuffing Sluder
compliment hard-nosed tackle John Hilliard well. Talented Alvin
McKinley assumes the starting noseguard position, while fleet Conner
Stephens will start at left end. Depth could be an issue, though,
with Dorsett Davis probably the best of the bunch. Exactly what the
Bulldogs have here remains to be seen, although their reputation for
developing defensive line depth is legendary. Nathan Jackson, Ellis
Wyms, and JUCO transfer Toby Golliday will be the ones most used.
LINEBACKERS
Do you know Barrin Simpson? If you don't, you soon will. Barring
injury, Simpson should play himself into all-SEC honors and get
drafted into the pros. Simpson combines field-general status with
serious talent, equally adept at stopping the run, covering
receivers, and rushing the passer. Jamaal Dinkins will be the other
starter, and he compliments Simpson well. The only question, again,
is depth and experience behind these two. Paul Hunter, Nick Floyd,
and Barris Grant are the candidates. Only time will tell whether
they can hack it.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Depending on who you talk to, this is either the best unit in the
conference or one of the most overrated. We'll go with the
"good" opinion here, as Mississippi State boasts cover-meisters
Robert Bean and Kendall Roberson at cornerback and hard-hitting Tim
Nelson at strong safety. The only question is how converted tailback
Edward "Pig" Prather will handle free safety. Prather is a
good athlete and very fast, but must learn the ropes of the
position. Ashley Cooper, Shawn Byrdsong, Kenzaki Jones, and incoming
signee Fred Smoot will provide much-more-than-adequate depth.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Bulldogs boast the two-headed punting juggernaut of Jeff Walker
and Matt Wyatt. Walker can boom kicks with the best of them, but
lacks touch. That's when Sherrill calls on backup quarterback Matt
Wyatt, an accomplished pooch-punter who is a threat to throw when on
the field. The big question is how to replace departed placekicker
Brian Hazelwood. Transfer Scott Westerfield has the inside track on
the job, and the Bulldogs are hoping he'll be able to adjust to
division-I pressure. If he can't, or if he is injured, MSU is in for
some serious trouble. Walker is the backup kicker, and while he
possesses excellent leg strength, isn't the world's most accurate
placekicker.
OVERALL
They say defense wins championships.
If true, that gives Mississippi State an excellent chance to repeat
as Western Division titleists. Judging from the talent on defense
and the lack of experience and identity on offense, there should be
a lot of 13-10 games this year in Starkville. Even considering the
questions of experience with this team, it may be one of their
better chances at Atlanta for a few years. Mississippi State will
lose eight senior defensive starters next year, as well as four
important senior reserves. That will surely be weighing on the mind
of Jackie Sherrill as he plays down the stretch this season, but
there is one thing in his favor. As long as the Bulldogs play the
schedule they do, they will be a threat to win the division year in
and year out. |