My Thoughts on the Football Team

This is going to be an exciting year for Mississippi State Football. Here are my thoughts on the upcoming season...

1. Our Offense Is Loaded With Talent

A) Starting with the offensive line, we return 4 of 5 starters from last years team and replace our LT Rankin with Eiland who started 4 games last year at LT sand played in all 13. Our OL is in the upper half of the league, and that is huge because a key to a successful football team is being good up front.

B) Now to QB. Fitz will be improved from last year. Fits doubters need to understand that we simply lacked talent at wide receiver last year, which I will address next. Fitz is also motivated to come back and ball out for his senior year and I believe he will.

C) WR was a weakness last year, but this year we are bringing lots of talent there. Guidry is a good WR, Whop is a good WR, Dear is explosive in the slot, as is Mixon. TE has talent, and Moorhead likes to throw to TE's.

D) We have 2 quality RB's in Williams and Kylin Hill. Williams is a run it down your throat type dude. He eats up yards. Hill is an explosive running back. I really like this duo.

E) Moorhead is widely known as a top OC in college football. Just like Mullen, he runs the spread offense, so there's not much new besides the fact that Moorhead has a more creative offense and likes to throw more vertical passes. Getsy is a good WR coach and Huff is a pretty good RB coach. Marcus Johnson also knows what he's doing as a OL coach. Coaching is not going to be a problem with this offense.

2. We Know That Defense Is Huge In The SEC

A) We all know that our depth and talent at Defensive Line is top 3 in the SEC this year and top 10 in the nation. Simmons is #1 or #2 DL in the SEC, he was named a preseason All-American by Athlon Sports. Sweat led the league in sacks and TFL last year. He was also named a preseason All-American by Athlon Sports. Chauncey Rivers will have a breakout year this year. He had to sit out last year, but experts say he may be better than Sweat. Gerri Green is moving to DL this year and he had 11 TFL and 5 sacks last year at LB. Fletcher Adams, Kobe Jones, Braxton Hoyett, Marquiss Spencer, Tre Brown, Grant Harris, and Cory Thomas are all also returning to this team. The depth and talent we have on the DL is simply stunning.

B) Linebacker is a strength for us this year. Leo Lewis is back and I expect him to have his best year so far in a Bulldog Jersey. Errol Thompson returns after having 5.5 TFL last year. He's a gap plugger. Willie Gay is extemely talented and will get more playing time this year. Tim Washington will be a junior and is a capable LB but hasn't gotten as much playing time as our other linebackers.

C) Our Secondary is very talented. McLaurin led the team in tackles and interceptions last year. He returns. Abram was 2nd on the team in tackles last year. He returns. Jamal Peters and Cameron Dantzler are back and are talented. We add in some JUCO talent at CB. Rayford, Morgan, Smitherman, and Cole are all pretty good and will compete for playing time this year. Our secondary is a strength.

D) Shoop is a very good Defensive Coordinator.

Tennessee was a dumpster fire before he got there and stayed one. I like what I see here. He will be working with our safety's. I think Shoop is an elite DC. Our other defensive coaches are all very good. Like I said on offense, I don't think coaching will be a problem on defense either.

E) Our defense was #3 in total defense last year in the SEC and #10 in the country. I think it will be improved from last year. Our defense is loaded.

3. I Think Special Teams Will Be Good

A) We have a new punter, we'll have to see how he does.

B) Christmann is a very good Field Goal Kicker. 12-14 last year; that's 85.7% accuracy. He was 6-6 from 20-29 yards, 3-3 from 30-39 yards, and 3-5 from 40-49 yards.

C) We have talented players and quality depth on coverage teams. We have a new special teams coach. Let's see how he does.

4. Our Schedule Allows Us To Compete

A) We Play 3 of our 4 Non-Conference games at home and we will take care of those easily. We go on the road to Kansas State, and that will be a challenge, but We have a better team and it's a 11:00 AM Kickoff. Advantage us.

B) We get most of the swing games at home. Florida, Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Auburn all come to Davis Wade. We have to watch our for Auburn; especially considering it's the week after the Florida game. But I think we take the other four. Auburn is a not a sure win, but I have us winning a close game.

C) We go on the road to Ole Miss- we will get revenge and win the egg bowl. We go to Kentucky- we're just flat out better than them and we will win. LSU will be tough, but their offense is a question mark and so is their coaching.

D) This brings us to the Alabama game. We go on the road to Bryant-Denny, and it will be a tall task to win that game. But if we are ever going to beat Saban, now is the chance. I like our chances in this game, and I believe this game will decide the SEC West. Can we win? I think so. Let's hope it all plays out like this and we're in Atlanta at the end of the regular season!

HailState!