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

Nov 15, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Christian Holmes (44) sits on the bench after losing to the Alabama Crimson Tide 25-20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

While Mullen has raised the level of talent on the Mississippi State roster, and built depth in Starkville, the fact remains that the Bulldogs must play the 2015 season without some of the most important members of last year’s squad, including leading rusher Josh Robinson, leading tackler Benardrick McKinney, and the defense’s top two pass rushers, defensive end Preston Smith and linebacker Matthew Wells.

Related: The Most Valuable Player for Each SEC Team in 2015

Also, the Bulldogs were bad defending the pass last season. Mississippi State allowed 272.8 passing yards per game last season, which was the worst average in the SEC and ranked No. 114 in the nation.

Yes, the Bulldogs often came up with big plays defensively, but much like the 2013 Auburn team that played just enough bend-but-don’t-break defense to win the SEC, it was a red flag that doomed the Tigers in 2014.

Offensively, State has plenty of weapons, but the margin for error is razor-thin, especially if the defense isn’t as fortunate as it was last season. And, if the injury bug hits it could spell disaster. Prescott is the more important to Mississippi State than any other player is to his team in the SEC – perhaps the entire nation. If the QB goes down – which is very possible since he struggled with injuries in 2013 and runs more than most signal callers – it would be disastrous.

The Bulldogs are already likely to be underdogs in seven SEC games (Kentucky excluded), and if Prescott misses an extended period for any reason, Mississippi State would be in danger of a losing season.

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Next: Best-Case Scenario: Missouri