Can the Mississippi State Bulldogs Reach 10 Wins in 2014?
Defense
In true SEC fashion, Mississippi State won games last year with defense and the turnover margin. But the weakness of the defense was the rush defense, with only 20 sacks on the year and allowing 144 rushing yards a game. To be fair, once again, the Bulldogs play in the SEC West, but it’s not like they’re leaving the west this year.
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The good news, though, is the front line should be more experienced this year with eight of the nine regular contributors back. The strength should be in the middle. Look for sophomore defensive tackle Chris Jones to turn into an SEC and national superstar this year. At 6’5″ 300 pounds, the former 5-star recruit on Rivals had 7 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, and 3 passes broken up as a freshman. Jones will be joined by senior tackles Kaleb Eulls and P.J. Jones, who combined for 34.5 tackles last year. On the end, senior Preston Smith had 6.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, 3 passes broken up, and a forced fumble last year. He should be the leader of the unit. The loss of end Denico Autry won’t be noticed with sophomore A.J. Jefferson stepping in after recording 4 tackles for a loss and 2 sacks as a freshman last year. Junior Ryan Brown will also be in the mix, along with junior college transfer Will Coleman. With these seven guys the main guys in the defensive line rotation, look for Nelson Adams, Curtis Virges, Torrey Dale, and incoming freshman Cory Thomas to all provide depth at the position. The unit altogether will be much better this year with more experience, and there are talented guys just waiting to break out.
The linebacker position also returns just about everybody. Deontae Skinner will be missed, but Benardrick McKinney was the leader of the group and is back for his junior year after putting up 56 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks last year. Lining up with him will be senior Matthew Wells, who is more of a coverage linebacker but still had 6 tackles for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. Sophomore Beniquez Brown and Richie Brown have a ton of potential after combining for 54.5 tackles and 7.5 tackles for a loss as freshmen last year in back-up roles. Among the “Brown Brothers,” Richie’s potential is even higher after recording 2 sacks and an interception last year. Junior Zach Jackson will be in the mix as well after recording 24.5 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss last year. Redshirt freshman Dezmond Harris has the potential to get into the rotation, and look for Rivals 4-star incoming freshman Gerri Green to see the field immediately this year. This unit will be more experienced than last year’s unit, and Skinner being replaced by the Brown brothers will only make it better.
The pass defense was really the strength on this side of the ball, as the Bulldogs only allowed 205 yards per game and recorded 14
Nov 28, 2013; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Bo Wallace (14) dives for the loose ball in the end zone as Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Jamerson Love (5) reaches for the fumble during overtime at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeat the Mississippi Rebels with a score of 17-10 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
interceptions. However, they’ll have to replace the best playmaker in the secondary from last year, free safety Nickoe Whitley, who had 5 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles. Luckily, everybody else is back. Strong safety Kendrick Market is a junior who didn’t rack up many stats covering the pass last year, but he did manage 52.5 tackles. Both cornerbacks, junior Taveze Calhoun and senior Jamerson Love, each had three interceptions and combined for 11 passes broken up, so look for them to improve even more this year. Junior cornerback Will Redmond has lots of potential and saw action last year as well, as did sophomore Cedric Jiles. Justin Cox will step in full-time as the starting free safety his senior year, and he has plenty of experience to fill the position, plus he’s proven himself to be able to handle it. Behind the safeties, senior Dee Arrington, sophomore Quadry Antoine, and senior Jay Hughes should all provide depth. Sophomore Tolando Cleveland saw experience as a freshman last year and will also be in the mix. The unit also has three freshmen, so as a whole, despite the loss of Whitley, the experience should make it just as good as it was last year.
The defensive unit returns eight starters overall, losing only one player on each unit, and it has lots of depth and incoming talent. Expect it to be even better this year with more experience. But the SEC West has some loaded offenses, even with lots of departing talent, so Mullen still has a lot to worry about.