2015 SEC West Division Preview

5. Mississippi State

Mississippi State meteoric rise to the number one team in the land last season is hard to forget. Seemingly out of nowhere, the Bulldogs were on top of the College Football landscape – only to crumble at the end of the season. Losing three of their last four, Mississippi State didn’t exactly end the season on a high note. However, star quarterback Dak Prescott is back for one more go at it.

Returning with Prescott is his favorite target in De’Runnya Wilson. The Bulldogs will have to find a way to replace Josh

Dec 31, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Robinson’s 1,200 rushing yards. Junior Ashton Shumpert and Freshman Aeris Williams appear to be the men for the job. They’ll be running behind an experienced line full of upperclassmen.

On the other side, Mississippi State will rely on Manny Diaz to call the shots for the defense. Diaz will have to find a way to replace the production of Preston Smith and Benardrick McKinney. Third year man Chris Jones and Senior Ryan Brown are set to lead the Bulldogs up front defensively.

At the linebacker spot, Junior playmaker Beniquez Brown will be called to lead the defense. Brown is the leading returning tackler from last season and will be filling the shoes of Benardrick McKinney.

Mississippi State allowed the most passing yards in the SEC last season, so Diaz has his work cut out for him in the secondary. Two Seniors – Will Redmond and Taveze Calhoun – will be tasked with locking down the cornerback positions.

Mississippi State could be in for a similar 2015 season. Their biggest tests outside of Auburn lie in the November portion of the schedule. They will end their campaign against Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas and Ole Miss.

Next: LSU Tigers