Six years ago, Dan Mullen left his position as the Offensive Coordinator of the Florida Gators and accepted his first head coaching job at Mississippi State. He wanted to turn the struggling program around and dreamt of a day when the Bulldogs were at the top of the SEC and college football. Even after three consecutive wins against AP top-10 opponents and earning the no. 1 spot in the AP top 25, You get the feeling this is just the start of something special for Dan Mullen and the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
“I couldn’t be happier for the university, the students, the fans and the alumni,” Mullen said. “For so many years you try to accomplish something and to be able to say we’re the best at something is special. But for us as a team — they don’t give out the trophy midseason. We really haven’t accomplished all that much.”
Their season has been incredible so far. Starting the season as an unranked, unknown and undiscussed team, the Bulldogs are undefeated and on top of the SEC West with wins over LSU, Texas A&M and Auburn.They have moved up the rankings and created a reputation for themselves. Their powerful, explosive offense is turning heads and has a lot of people talking. Dak Prescott is an impressive dual-threat quarterback blossoming into a superstar and running back Josh Robinson is a punishing running back with a low center of gravity. They call him the bowling ball. These two have the Bulldog program on the forefront of college football and are ringing up win after win.
Dak Prescott may be the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy after the suspension of Georgia’s star running back Todd Gurley. Prescott is putting up very good numbers that compare with Heisman season numbers of Tebow, Newton, Manziel and Winston up to this point. He is definitely a special quarterback prospect. I like how he stands in the pocket and makes strong accurate throws but also knows when to tuck it and run. In the open field he is a physical runner who doesn’t stop for anything. He is the perfect quarterback for Mullen’s offensive system and is undoubtedly the key to success for the Bulldogs. Although he did not have his best game against Auburn, look for him to rebound against Kentucky after this week’s bye to put up some big numbers.
Despite the buzz surrounding the program, as Mullen reminded everyone, they have not won a trophy yet and the season is only 7 weeks in. Plus, they still face tough games away in Tuscaloosa and Oxford. Positively for the Bulldogs, Alabama certainly does not look up to its’ usual high standards after being upset by Ole Miss and barely beating SEC pushovers, Arkansas, by one point. You have to wonder if these past two weeks have just been a fluke for Alabama or if there are some serious weaknesses within this highly-heralded squad. Either way the Alabama game will be no cake walk for the Bulldogs.
Every year the Egg Bowl is a huge deal for college football fans…. in the state of Mississippi. I have never even watched this game in the past but this year I can’t wait for it. There is a strong chance that the two teams could meet up for the last game of the season with undefeated records. This could end up being an instant classic, the game of the year, just like last year’s Iron Bowl. Ole Miss still has Auburn left on their schedule but assuming they win and Mississippi State finds a way to beat Alabama, this game would determine the champion of the SEC West division. It will be Prescott and the explosive Mississippi State offense against the Ole Miss defense. The Rebels boast a special defense that could easily rain on the bulldogs’ parade. They attack the ball, tackle well and force turnovers. This is a unit that only allows 11.8 points per game. There is a reason the rebels call themselves the “landsharks” on defense.
As a fan of college football, I love the traditions and pageantry of the game. It is great to see different programs having success in the SEC. It gets old seeing Alabama dominate the conference. So props to Mississippi State and even Ole Miss therefore in challenging the hierarchy of the SEC. What an awesome scene Starkville was on Saturday for the Bulldogs’ win against Auburn. There was plenty of cowbell on hand and the game day tailgate seemed to be one for the ages. It is great to see student-athletes achieve on-field success stemming from hard work and dedication. It is also great to see a head coach’s plan for success come to fruition for a university and community. He has put together a great team and is building a program that is destined for the national spotlight for years to come. For me, Mullen is the coach of the year thus far and his quarterback Dak Prescott is the top candidate for the Heisman. I’ll be looking forward to the Alabama game as well as the Egg Bowl.We will see if this team can hold out and make a run for the BCS Championship. Shout out to Mississippi State, my man Dan Mullen and Heisman hopeful Dak Prescott. Hail State!
lucerocory 