6.Mississippi State Bulldogs | Threat Level: Medium
The Bulldogs are replacing the best player in the team’s history in Dak Prescott. Prescott is now the backup for the Dallas Cowboys. So who will play QB for the Dawgs?
The leading candidate for the starting job seems to be Nick FItzgerald. Fitzgerald will have to fend off Damian Williams and Nick Tiano for the starting job. Elijah Staley was competing for the job, but announced he would transfer recently.
So why is State ranked so high on my threat level? Well, Mullen never fields a bad team. As much criticism as you can say about Mullen, he always wins the games he should win and never has a bad team.
The Bulldogs have a good defense this season and has some play makers on their offense. The Bulldogs return 6 starters on offense and 7 on defense.
Brandon Holloway impresses me when he has the ball in his hands and I could see him making an impact this season.
Fred Ross is their lead returning receiver and could make some strides towards becoming a top-3 round pick in the 2017 NFL draft. Ross is now the lone star on the offense and could shine with some solid quarterback play.
On defense, the Bulldogs introduce a new defensive coordinator named Peter Sirmon, the former linebackers coach for Southern California.
The Bulldogs defense will be led by senior linebacker Richie Brown and his beard. Leo Lewis should see some playing time for the Bulldogs as well this season.
AJ Jefferson and Jeffery Simmons will anchor the defensive line for the Bulldogs.
Brandon Bryant is the only bright spot I see in the secondary for the Bulldogs. Cornerback will be a position of need for MSU this season, with the losses of Taveze Calhoun and Will Redmond.
I am interested in seeing how Jamal Peters plays into the defense this season for the Bulldogs.
Next: 5. Georgia Bulldogs