SEC Preview: This year doesn’t matter for Mississippi State

This year doesn’t matter if you’re a Mississippi State. At least, it shouldn’t.

If the Bulldogs got 4-8 this season and have an 0-for in the SEC, no-one should be worried. After all, Mike Leach is in pirate heaven, and we’re still trying to get over that.

WHO’S GONE

With the passing away of Leach, the transfers were expected, and it happened. 25 people left Starkville. Some of them – like Mississippi State’s best WR RaRa Thomas – left for Georgia (he was arrested for misdemeanor family battery charge and a felony false imprisonment charge on Monday, January 23, but managed to avoid the courts by striking a deal to have anger management classes).

WHO’S IN

The Bulldogs brought in former Vanderbilt QB Mike Wright as back-up to Will Rogers, who remains on the best QBs in the league. They added TEs Geor’Quarious Spivey (TCU) and Ryland Goede (Georgia), which indicates that it’s not going to be 400 wide, all of the time.

OFFENSE

Kevin Barbay has been brought in as the offensive coordinator (he was formerly at Appalachian State, where the offense was 23rd in the country last year). Much is expected. 

If we looked at what Barbay did with ASU’s offense, Rogers will be throwing a lot, but it won’t all be on him. Appalachian State’s top 3 running backs still had over 200 rushing attempts between them. So you can be guaranteed that Jo’quavious Marks – who had 582 yards last year, will be carrying the rock a lot this year. Also coming along will be Penn State transfer Keyvone Lee, who was much-loved by Penn State fans, but was fed up with being the 3rd or 4th best running back on the roster.

The offensive line all return, which should make things easier for Barby too.

DEFENSE

Arnett was the former defensive coordinator, so you can expect a pretty solid defense. The Bulldogs finished 40th last year.

Sadly for Arnett, Emmanuel Forbes, who had 6 INTs and went in the first round, is not there anymore, and replacing him would be hard for ANYONE. Decamerion Richardson’s going to have to be the big name to help things along, but don’t be surprised if you see a lot of offensive coordinators spinning the ball early to test the Forbes-less secondary.

Top tackling LBS Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson are both back, which will certainly help matters as well.

SCHEDULE

SE Louisiana – W
Arizona – W
LSU – L
at South Carolina – L
Alabama – L
Western Michigan – W
at Arkansas – L
at Auburn – L
Kentucky – W
at Texas A&M – L
Southern Miss – W
Ole Miss – W

PREDICTION: 6-6 (2-6 SEC) Mississippi State’s season this year is going to be tough. As we said, nothing is going to be a particular failure, because we’re not expecting very much.