SEC Football: Way-too-early 2019 superlatives

Mississippi State Bulldogs: Most likely to not miss their graduating QB.

Nick Fitzgerald has played his last snap as a Mississippi State Bulldog and many programs around the country, specifically in the SECl, be excited for exactly that. However, how much does that change what Joe Moorhead’s program is all about? How much will this team miss Nick Fitzgerald and what he has been able to do with his legs and with his arm?

About as much as they missed Dak Prescott as Fitzgerald filled in after he graduated is the answer to that last one. Fitzgerald’s graduation doesn’t change how this team operates for two reasons. One, this is a defensive minded team and that has been seen week after week in 2018. Their defensive line was one of the best across the nation this season and it showed as they played big name teams and stood toe to toe.

Reason number two this team won’t miss Fitzgerald like many think they will? His name is Keytaon Thompson and he is just as good if not better than Nick Fitzgerald. When Fitzgerald missed week one due to a violation of rules, Thompson stepped in and the team won with ease.

They didn’t have the best of years in 2018, that much is true. They didn’t win their bowl game and they surely didn’t play to the ability that they could have. However, I am telling you now that if that changes in 2019, it will be because of Thompson and soon enough, Fitzgerald will be just another alumni that is remembered fondly.