SEC Football: Best and Worst-Case Scenario for Every Team in 2015

Nov 29, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) stiff arms Mississippi Rebels defensive back Cody Prewitt (25) during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

It’s difficult to talk about the 2015 Mississippi State football team without recognizing the Bulldogs must replace 15 total starters from the squad that finished 10-3 and spent more than a month ranked No. 1 in the nation last season. However, an important things to remember is that MSU still has a veteran roster.

In fact, when head coach Dan Mullen released the team’s depth chart for the season opener at Southern Miss, there were 22 juniors and seniors projected to start.

Related: Top Five SEC Heisman Trophy Candidates for 2015

The most important of those upperclassmen, of course, is quarterback Dak Prescott. In State’s best-case scenario, Prescott will finish what he started in 2014 and win the Heisman Trophy. With 6-foot-5 wide receiver De’Runnya Wilson and last year’s second leading receiver Fred Ross back on offense,

Prescott has an opportunity to put up huge numbers in the passing game and the school record he set last season is very much in jeopardy. Prescott is also one of the best running quarterbacks in the nation, having amassed 1,815 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns on the ground combined over the last two seasons.

With Prescott behind center, the Bulldogs can score with anyone. Defensively, there are concerns, but the Bulldogs have several talented playmakers including defensive tackle Chris Jones, linebackers Beniquez Brown and Richie Brown and defensive backs Taveze Calhoun and Will Redmond capable of wreaking havoc and causing turnovers in new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz’s system.

The schedule also sets up well. MSU should go 4-0 in non-conference play, faces Kentucky and a rebuilding Missouri squad out of the East and hosts LSU, Alabama and Ole Miss. Mississippi State has the talent and the depth – as well as the momentum of a historic 2014 season – to win ten wins for the second consecutive season.

Mississippi State’s Best-Case Scenario: Another unexpected 10-win season signals the program is here to stay

Next: Worst-Case Scenario: Mississippi State