2008 Mississippi State Bulldogs College Football Predictions
2008 Mississippi State Bulldogs College Football Predictions Courtesy of Alex Smart, An Expert College Football Handicapper featured on Touthouse.com. If you are betting college football this year, be sure to buy Alex Smart’s college football picks each week and guarantee a winning season!!
Mississippi State Bulldogs (8-5, 4-4 in 2007, 4th place in SEC West)
After a long few years of criticism, HC Sylvester Croom finally quieted his critics by leading the Bulldogs to an 8-5 season and a victory over UCF in the Liberty Bowl. For the first time since 1999-2000, Mississippi State will be out to reach back-to-back bowl games. Fourteen starters return to help Croom achieve that task.
Offensive Outlook: Wesley Carroll had a successful first year under center in limited duty for the Bulldogs, throwing for almost 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns. Once again, he won’t be expected to do much, as RB Anthony Dixon should carry the load for the offense in ’08. None of the wide receivers that are returning made a significant impact on the squad in 2007, but not much was expected out of them either. The offensive line will be crucial this season, as they return only two starters after LT Mike Brown was dismissed in the spring. If the OL can’t open up holes for Dixon and the running game, there’s no way that Mississippi State is improving on its 21.5 PPG average a year ago.
Defensive Outlook: After opening up the season with a brutal 45-0 loss to LSU, the Bulldogs turned it around at the end of the season, holding Kentucky, Alabama, Ole Miss, and UCF to a combined 43 points. Eight starters return from last season, and the unit must be productive to help out an offense that could struggle in ’08. There are two NFL prospects on this defense, LB Jamar Chaney and FS Derek Pegues. Both defensive tackles return, but both defensive ends must be replaced. Croom doesn’t have a lot of depth on his D-Line, so finding replacements at DE might be a difficult task. The secondary is intact after being the strongest piece of the defense’s puzzle last year.
2008 Preview: If the Bulldogs hope to go to another bowl game, they’d better win the games they really should win. Games against Louisiana Tech, Southeastern Louisiana, Middle Tennessee, and Vanderbilt are must-wins. There are plenty of other potential wins on the schedule, but the offense may not be good enough to stick with the middle-of-the-road teams in the SEC.
2008 will be a success if … the offensive line is as good in ‘08 as they were last season. If not, Mississippi State won’t average 20 PPG, and the team won’t stand a chance of competing in the rugged SEC.
The “Egg Bowl” between the Bulldogs and Ole Miss may be the game that decides whether or not Mississippi State goes bowling or not. Don’t be surprised if they get left home this winter.
Prediction: 5-7, 5th place in SEC West
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