How Dak Prescott Can Win the Heisman

Sep 21, 2013; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Benardrick McKinney (50) prepares for the play during the game against the Troy Trojans at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 62-7. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

The Defense Must Be Dominant

So why am I talking about the defense when I discuss a quarterback’s chances to win the Heisman? Because the defense is going to be what wins or loses games for Mississippi State this season.

Dak is the team leader and focal point of the Bulldogs, and he certainly should be. The defense though has far more playmakers on it than the offense does. There are some good players on offense, but the defense is loaded this year. The front seven has the capability to shut down the opposition’s running game, and the secondary made such significant strides last season that they could lock down the passing game of the teams the Bulldogs play. The defense could easily create huge field position advantages for the Bulldogs, and they are going to have to do that to win games. One of the things that was very apparent was Mississippi State’s inability to sustain long drives last season. Having to go 80+ yards for the offense will be difficult for that unit if they are having to do it repeatedly in the game. We are going to be a run oriented team so long drives aren’t going to be our specialty.

The flip side is if they create a lot of short fields, which they can, then Dak has a chance to be a TD machine. Total yards will be talked about some when it comes to Heisman candidates, but Touchdowns will be far more important. The more short fields the defense gives him, his chances of having a Heisman type season will go up.