Why Mississippi State should have been in the preseason Top 25
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When the Associated Press released the preseason Top 25 Sunday, one team was noticeably absent, although being overlooked is nothing new for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs were also left off of the preseason coaches poll at the end of July and don't seem to be generating a ton of hype. That's a mistake.
Mississippi State tallied just 22 votes in the AP poll, placing it 36th overall and 10th among teams in the SEC. While the Bulldogs record from last season doesn't generate an abundance of confidence, there are reasons to believe they may be one of college football's most surprising teams in 2014.
Here's why:
2013 record is deceiving
Yes, a 7-6 record in 2013 fails to overwhelm, especially in comparison to some of the SEC's elite, but dig a littler deeper and there is room for optimism.
The six losses last year came against Oklahoma State, Auburn, LSU, South Carolina, Texas A&M and Alabama, a tough slate of opponents for any team. Of the six, only the Cowboys didn't land in the preseason Top 25 this year. The Bulldogs also managed to keep their games against Auburn, Texas A&M and Alabama relatively close, losing by an average of nine points.
While Mississippi State's schedule is still difficult this season (as it always will be in the SEC), it avoids both Oklahoma State and South Carolina from a year ago and should easily get off to a 3-0 start before travelling to LSU for the fourth game of the season.
Dak Prescott
Last year Tyler Russell began the season as the Bulldogs starting quarterback. An injury in the season opener forced Prescott into duty and while he struggled in his first action, he became more comfortable as the season continued. Russell missed three games before returning and the two would both see significant playing time the rest of the way.
Russell has since graduated, making the Bulldogs Prescott's team, and you could make a case he's the best signal caller in the SEC. The dual-threat quarterback had four games last season where he rushed for over 100 yards, plus five games where he topped 200 yards through the air.
Prescott is among the most dynamic players in college football and he enters his junior season fully prepared, with the knowledge that he is the team's starting quarterback. The Bulldogs will only go as far as Prescott can carry them, but that could be a long way.
Loaded with experience
Mississippi State was a young team in 2013, likely a large factor in the 7-6 record. The advantage of the youth movement last year is that this season's team comes loaded with experience.
The Bulldogs bring 18 starters back from last year's squad and have nearly a dozen more that started at least one game. That kind of veteran experience pays dividends in big moments and has the team brimming with confidence.
"It's not about getting to a bowl game anymore," Prescott told USA TODAY. "It's what bowl game? How big of a bowl game? Can we win some championships around here? ... We want to do things we've never done and get to places we've never been."
The preseason polls may not give the Bulldogs much of a chance to reach the kind of levels that Prescott is predicting, but Mississippi State is a team that deserves watching this season and should not be taken lightly.