2013 Crimson Tide Season Breakdown: Mississippi State Bulldogs
By Kevin Ross
Jan 1, 2013; Jacksonville FL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Tyler Russell (17) drops back to pass in the fourth quarter of the Gator Bowl game against the Northwestern Wildcats at EverBank Field. Has was sacked on the play. The Northwestern Wildcats beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs 34-20. Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
WHEN: Saturday November 16; TBD
WHERE: Davis Wade Stadium (Starkville, MS)
LAST SEASON: 8-5 (4-4, 4th in Western Division)
CURRENT PRESEASON RANKING: Unranked in USA Today Coaches’ Poll
CURRENT BETTING LINE: Alabama by 23
TV: TBD
RADIO: Crimson Tide Sports Network, local affiliates listed http://www.rolltide.com/multimedia/radio-tv.html
SERIES HISTORY: Alabama leads the series 75-18-3. The Tide won the last meeting 38-7 and put to rest to rest MSU’s #WeBelieve enthusiasm after a 7-0 start in an efficient and brutal fashion.
OFFENSE: MSU’s offense was ranked 61st in the nation last season behind a passing game and rushing game that were about as effective as a pasta noodle cutting through a tomato. Quarterback Tyler Russell returns after rewriting the Bulldogs’ offensive record book in 2012, which is akin to being the prettiest girl in the convent. The Bullies will feature an experienced offensive line and a senior featured running back in LaDarius Perkins, but questions remain if the unit is physical enough to compete with Alabama and LSU. MSU could struggle to find targets for Russell in the passing game however, now that bona fide playmaker Chad Bumphis has moved on to the professional ranks.
The Bulldogs have an opportunity to produce a strong rushing attack this season, but lack of a complimentary passing game could hinder them overall offensively. Mississippi State opens the season against Oklahoma State so the offense will have a chance to work out the kinks against a Big 12 “defense.”
Conclusion: In year five under offensive-minded coach Dan Mullen, MSU has largely failed to put up big results. On paper, the Bulldog offense won’t keep any defensive coordinators up at night, but Mullen has learned that a big, experienced offensive line is necessary to compete in the SEC. The 2013 MSU offense shouldn’t be expected to have the firepower to challenge defenses such as those it will face against Alabama and LSU.
Defense: The Bulldogs lost both starting quarterbacks to the NFL, and the defensive secondary is a flashing neon sign of concern. Despite having NFL talent at both corners, last season the Bullies were downright horrid, finishing in the bottom half of the SEC in passing yards allowed, yards per attempt, and completion percentage. Now that they have to depend on young players in the secondary, expect teams to throw early and often against Mississippi State. The Bulldogs also lost their leading tackler in linebacker Cameron Lawrence, who was the leader of the defense in 2012.
Conclusion: MSU will rely heavily on freshman and sophomores on defense in 2013, which could be both blessing and curse. Young players gaining valuable experience will pay dividends down the road for the Bullies, but the meat grinder that is the SEC schedule should strike fear into the hearts of MSU fans.
Special Teams: Mississippi State was solid in the kicking game last year, and they return both kicker Devon Bell and punter Baker Swedenburg in 2013. This continuity means that MSU has a chance to be one of the better special teams units in the entire SEC this season.
Coaching: Dan Mullen was brought in due to his reputation as a spread offense guru at Florida, but in his four seasons thus far in Starkville he has mainly underwhelmed. The first few years of the Mullen era featured a few upsets of SEC East teams, Egg Bowl victories, bowl eligibility, and complete and utter futility against Alabama and LSU.
Now that Hugh Freeze has arrived at Ole Miss and dropped the hammer on Mullen in their only meeting this far, it would stand to reason that Mullen’s seat is getting a bit toasty. Entering year five of the Mullen tenure we basically know what to expect; 6-7 wins, a mediocre bowl game, and not threatening to crack the upper echelon of the league. While annual bowl eligibility might have been good enough to remain steadily employed at Mississippi State for basically their entire history, now that Ole Miss is on the rise Mullen may find himself pursuing other coaching opportunities if 2013 is a repeat of 2012. Alabama fans may be interested to know that former Tide star cornerback Deshea Townsend is MSU’s new defensive backs coach after playing 13 seasons in the NFL.