Over the course of the next seven weeks, the SoBros Network will be going team-by-team through the SEC, previewing the 2018 American tackle football season. Up next, the Mississippi State Bulldogs!
2018 Mississippi State Preview
It ain’t often that your school loses its all time winningest coach and expectations don’t falter. But, expectations didn’t just…not falter…in Starkville. Expectations are at an all-time high. Even nationally, a lot of the so called experts are calling the Bulldogs the sexy dark horse to rise up and challenge for the SEC championship.
But, there’s an awful lot of change at Mississippi State. Dan Mullen is now the head coach at Florida, and former Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead is in. That should mean more schemed explosiveness out of the Bulldog offense, but it all hinges on the return of quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. Before his injury, he was one of the most dynamic and prolific quarterbacks in the country. If he’s half of that, they’ll be alright. The change in offensive scheme and the influx of talented freshmen receivers should boost the offense’s stock heading into 2018.
On defense, this team has been a bit underrated over the last few years. I don’t expect 2018 will be any different as the Bulldogs have a strong defensive line and linebacking corps. Again, it’s dealing with the adjustment to new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop that provides the biggest question mark.
All in all, this is a team that could become a top 10-15 team if it manages all the change well.
2018 Bulldogs Schedule
Saturday, 9/1: Stephen F. Austin Jacks – Mississippi State’s preseason starts with a home game against Stephen F. Austin. Need I say more? This one will be a win.
Saturday, 9/8: @ Kansas State Wildcats – It’s a step up from Stephen F. Austin, but the Bulldogs are still way ahead of the Wildcats. Though it’s on the road, I still say this is a comfortable win.
Saturday, 9/15: Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns – Yet again…a comfortable win.
Saturday, 9/22: @ Kentucky Wildcats – Kentucky has the formula to maintain possession of the football and keep Mississippi State’s offense off the field. Benny Snell could be the difference maker in this game, but I still say the Wildcats don’t have the talent to hang with the Bulldogs. Another win.
Saturday, 9/29: Florida Gators – Mullen’s return to Starkville should provide for a passionate environment, but I don’t know that his Gators are ready to contend with the upper echelon of the SEC.
Saturday, 10/6: Auburn Tigers – The Bulldogs could very well enter this game 5-0 barring some sort of slip-up against either Kentucky or Florida. Thankfully, they get the Tigers at home. This match-up could determine a berth in the Sugar Bowl depending on how the SEC East shakes down. But, I don’t think it’s a game the Bulldogs win.
Saturday, 10/13: BYE WEEK
Saturday, 10/20: @ LSU Tigers – I don’t expect LSU to be very good, but like Kentucky, they play a game that could keep Nick Fitzgerald off the field. The question will be whether or not LSU can score….I don’t think they will.
Saturday, 10/27: @ Texas A&M Aggies – I think the Aggies could surprise a few teams this season, Mississippi State being one of them. It’s on the road, in College Station, and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see them steal this game.
Saturday, 11/3: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs – Though Louisiana Tech is one of the favorites to win C-USA this year, it’s still an entirely different level of competition. I would be stunned
Saturday, 11/10: @ Alabama Crimson Tide – If anyone’s going to beat ‘Bama this year, why not what figures to be an electric offense led by a prolific dual threat quarterback?
Saturday, 11/17: Arkansas Razorbacks – The Razorbacks should be an automatic win for every other SEC West team in 2018, but who knows, right?
Thursday, 11/22: at Ole Miss – The Egg Bowl is routinely one of the most exciting rivalry games in college football. Don’t expect it to be any different on Thanksgiving night. But, on paper, the Bulldogs are way ahead of the Rebels.
Prediction
I do think Mississippi State will be a force to be reckoned with in 2018. There’s been a lot of overhaul, but this team also has quite a bit of experience. They have a good quarterback and a good defense. But, are they going to contend for a National Championship come November? I doubt it. This could still very well be a 10-win team.
Other 2018 SEC Previews
Alabama Crimson Tide
Arkansas Razorbacks
Auburn Tigers
Florida Gators
Georgia Bulldogs
Kentucky Wildcats
LSU Tigers
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Missouri Tigers
Ole Miss Rebels
South Carolina Gamecocks
Tennessee Volunteers
Texas A&M Aggies
Vanderbilt Commodores
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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