Special Teams

Last year this was a disaster, so things can only go up from there (I hope). This season former place kicker Devon Bell will focus solely on punting, which should benefit him greatly. Currently our place kicker is going to be Evan Sobiesk (So) who struggled last year. The only bright spot on special teams is our return game headed by WR Jameon Lewis.

Off-Season Report

In an off-season full of arrests and the like surrounding other programs, it was thankfully a quiet offseason for MSU. The hiring of QB coach Brian Johnson should pay dividends going forward, especially on the recruiting trail.

Schedule

08/30 VS USM
09/06 VS UAB
09/13 @ USA
09/20 @ LSU
10/4 VS A&M
10/11 VS AU
10/25 @ UK
11/1 VS Arky
11/8 VS UT-M
11/15 @ UA
11/22 VS VU
11/29 @ UM

The OOC schedule is an absolute joke, although when we scheduled USM they were winning 10 games/yr, not 1 in 2 years. We should easily be 3-0 heading into Baton Rouge. I highlighted weeks 4-6 as these games will be the ones that determine how successful our season will be. Getting A&M and AU at home is key this year, as these will be very winnable games that could catapult us to would could end up being the most successful season to date for Dan Mullen and Co.

Keys to Success/Failure

For the Mississippi State Bulldogs, this seasons' success or failure will most likely rest squarely on the broad shoulders of Dak Prescott.

With the defense having proven itself last year to be a force, the health of Dak Prescott throughout the 2014 season will tell the tale for Mississippi State.

However, Special Teams loom large after the dreadful performance turned in last year. The Bulldogs need to find a consistent place kicker to go along with a weapon at Punter in Devon Bell. Most Bulldog fans hope that special teams isn't the topic of discussion on the way home from Starkville this fall.

The Grind

The 2014 season has been one of the most anticipated years in the football program from Starkville's history. Fans eagerly await kickoff with unusually high expectations. If there is a year for Dan Mullen to take the next step in his quest for an SEC Title in Starkville, this is the year. Two games against LSU and Alabama on the road will be tough, but having Texas A&M and Auburn visit our hometown definitely gives Mississippi State an advantage with a bigger stadium full of fans to cheer on the team, and an extra seven thousand cowbells to go along with them.

The bar for success has been set by most fans at 9 wins. 8 wins means that yet again, the team has beaten who they should have beaten and lost to teams that they were underdogs to. 9 plus wins translate into a marquee victory against a high level opponent and a chance at a shot for the SEC Crown. Some may scoff at the idea, but for Dak Prescott, Dan Mullen, and Company, it doesn't seem far-fetched to them, and that's all that matters.

This post was edited on 8/11/14 at 1:12 pm