Is MSU Ready for SEC Play?

Sep 13, 2014; Mobile, AL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Josh Robinson (13) celebrates the Bulldogs 35-3 victory over the South Alabama Jaguars at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

The preseason is over. Yep – we found out a way to have a schedule that doesn’t include Auburn in the first two weeks but has three relatively easy teams to beat. With that, a 3-0 record on our way to preparing for SEC play. The real season.

So, is MSU ready?

D-Line

An emphatic yes! As we had all hoped this group looks stout. Chris Jones has played really well but guys like Preston Smith and Nelson Adams have been the ones making the most noise. Kaleb Eulls, PJ Jones, AJ Jefferson and big Nick James have been solid as well. Not to mention Ryan Brown and others who have played well. You have to be happy about how they’ve showed out the first three weeks.

Linebackers

Another emphatic yes! I have loved State’s LB’s ever since Geoff Collins took over four years ago – and add to that the 2010 team that included KJ Wright and Chris White. Matthew Wells, Beniquez Brown and the MAN Benardrick McKinney have looked great. Add in some big hits from Zach Jackson, quality snaps from Richie Brown and the newcomer, a senior making his move: Christian Holmes.

Secondary

Um, well there is some concern here. Taveze Calhoun and Will Redmond have not impressed me so far. In fact, the have been so underwhelming I’m going to have to consider them a liability at this point. Despite Redmond’s first career pick vs. USA he has been getting beat a lot, and hasn’t been making great decisions in coverage. One thing about defensive backs is you notice it more when they miss an assignment or have a bad play, so some of the criticism may be a bit too harsh. These guys have talent and they have proved it in the past. The way our front seven is playing forces teams to throw the ball and these guys can’t make every play.

Quarterback

Dak Prescott is getting it done. He hasn’t been accurate on every throw, but he’s been accurate enough. He can throw the deep ball and hit the intermediate routes. He may need to thread the needle a little more in SEC play, and while I have no doubt he can do that it’s his consistency that may be lacking. Still, what he provides the the offense is unquestioned and he is what drives it. Plain and simple we are an average at best offense without Dak, we are really good with him.

Running Back

Josh Robinson looks to be the best back on MSU’s roster….by a good margin. He was the best back last year too – but now it’s pretty clear. JRob is a work horse for sure. I like Shumpert, Nick Griffin and even Holloway (potentially) but Robinson should be getting 70-75% of the carries from the RB corps. Shump could be really good in the second half getting some carries when the defense is tired from trying to tackle a bowling ball all day. Bottom line, we look pretty good here.

Wide Receiver

It’s really hard to gauge how well your wide receivers are doing when they aren’t facing SEC defensive backs. There’s a big difference in trying to catch passes when you’re three steps ahead of the corner instead of just one (if that). And it’s a lot easier to get open against the lesser teams. Nevertheless, the WRs have looked pretty good so far. It’s been a collective, spreading the wealth, effort so far. Jameon Lewis is the leading receiver with just 107 yards. Bear Wilson has caught three touchdown passes – and that is exactly what he needs to be doing.

Offensive Line

They have played well, perhaps with their best game in the last one vs. South Alabama. Justin Senior has not been heard from (good thing) at Right Tackle, the biggest concern coming into the year. Dillon Day and Blaine Clausell have anchored the line as expected. Jamaal Clayborn has missed the last two games with a death in the family – Ben Beckwith has held the fort down, but we’ll need Clayborn grading the road some during conference play – will he be ready for LSU? Overall this group looks like they are ready. I am cautiously optimistic.

Misc. Questions/Comments/Concerns

Will Justin Cox be able to play vs. LSU? We need him in that secondary.

Have the 2’s (1b) given Mullen and Collins enough for them to be confident in playing them significant, pressure snaps vs. LSU? We absolutely need the depth so we don’t get killed in the 4th quarter.

Will Jamaal Clayborn be ready after missing two games?

TE Darrian Hutcherson has played some but has yet to catch a ball. We were looking for him to be a red zone threat but going into SEC play we haven’t seen anything. Is he ready to go after being so quiet?

Jamoral Graham looks comfortable returning punts. He’s the only true freshman to burn his redshirt. I’m hoping to see him some in the slot as the season progresses. Gabe Myles only has two catches for two yards so far.

Fumbles – this didn’t look like a concern until Shump and JRob lost one vs. USA. You can tell Mullen absolutely HATES fumbles and the players felt awful. It basically cost Derrick Milton any and all playing time at MSU. Hopefully those were an aberration and not a trend.

I know I’m ready! We’ve been waiting for this all summer. Bring on the Tigers, let’s see what we got. Hail State.