MSU and Ole Miss: Offensive Perception vs. Reality

It was just a short year ago when Rebel fans were shouting through the roof tops that there is no way Dak Prescott will become a full time starter in the SEC. Rebels everywhere claimed that a running back playing quarterback just does not work in this league.

Now let’s fast forward to “preseason” 2015. Dak Prescott is not only the best quarterback in the SEC, but also one of the best in all of college football.

Many Rebels still claim that they’re right about him. Those same Rebels are going to have a hard time with this article, because after all, facts have no meaning to that group of people. To them, perception means everything.

Another brilliant Rebel theory from last “preseason”, there was no way that the Bulldogs could ever replace Ladarius Perkins, Gabe Jackson or Charles Siddoway on offense.

The Bulldogs just hadn’t recruited well enough.

Not only did the Bulldogs replace those guys, they improved as a unit on the offensive line, improved in the running game and improved in the passing game on their way to becoming one of the most explosive offenses in the nation and by far the most explosive offense any Bulldog fan has ever witnessed.

The same was said about Denico Autry and Deonte Skinner on defense, Preston Smith and Beniquez Brown say otherwise.

No one outside of the Bulldog fan base had even heard of those two guys before last year.

Not to mention, coaching changes alone will make the Bulldogs defense much better.

It’s not only Rebel fans that think along these lines. Most of the media does as well. They look at recruiting rankings and see no way Mississippi State can replace all of the talent that they lost after the 2014 season.

I mean how do the Bulldogs replace all of the highly ranked two stars that have now moved on to NFL rosters?

Nothing against those guys at all, because they were developed and became very good SEC football players. I’m just using the media and the Rebels genius theory.

All in all, Mullen’s plan has worked. It has started to pay big dividends. The redshirt system is giving guys experience and time to learn the system where they are ready to be productive starters or valuable backups by their junior year.

Players who aren’t ready to play are not being thrown right into the fire and they are benefitting greatly from this plan.

Of course some players are talented enough to play day one, but most players are not.

Anyways, moving along because by now I’m sure you get the point.

Well, that is if you’re a Bulldog fan. I’ll just be another delusional Bulldog to most Rebels.

More from Mississippi State Football

• Meeting the Opponent: Week 4 – South Carolina Gamecocks
• Mississippi State football vs LSU: The good, bad, and ugly
• The Wednesday Wrap: Maybe Mississippi State Football Coach Zach Arnett shouldn’t do it his way
• Mississippi State football history vs. South Carolina: Records, streaks, and more
• Mississippi State football bowl projections after Bulldogs crushed by LSU

What about the players that the Rebels lose? Are they so talented that they can easily replace two All Americans in the secondary, their best linebacker, the leader of their defense and a couple more depth guys on defense?

Not to mention that they lost their best player on an already one dimensional offense who just happened to play the most important position in any offense, especially the Rebel offense. A position the media is severely overlooking when it comes to the Rebels.

I bet LSU wish it were just that easy to win big without a good or experienced quarterback and LSU has a great running game and solid offensive line.

I bet Florida shares the same wishes.

But hey, the Rebels won’t need solid quarterback play.

After all, they are just much more talented than the LSU’s and Florida’s of the world, right?

The Rebel hype machine is in full force and I know it’s going to be hard for them to understand what they are about to read below, but I am going to present facts to the Rebel fan base and to the media. It’s up to you to believe them or not believe them.

For arguments sake, let’s compare and break down each position. And just for fun I’ll even put their star rating beside their name, because we all know at some point the Rebel fans are going to point out their players star ratings, right?

I will be using the 247 composite rating system.

Although I firmly believe that Scout and 247 get it right way more often than their competitors, I’ll use the composite system because it already has the ratings from the most popular recruiting sites, figured for you.

Quarterback –

BULLDOGS:

Dak Prescott
Composite – 3* 87 rating

2014 Stats –
61.6% completion %, 3,449 passing yards, 27 tds, 11 ints, 151.7 rate, 986 rushing yards, 14 tds, 1 td receiving

Nick Fitzgerald RFR
Composite – 3* 81 rating

2014 stats – None recorded

Elijah Staley RFR
Composite – 3* 84 rating

2014 stats – None recorded

REBELS:

Chad Kelly JR.
Composite – 3* 87 rating

2014 Stats – non recorded

Ryan Buchanan RSO.
Composite – 4* 90 rating

2014 stats –
54.5% completion %, 75 yards, 1 int, 74.09 rate

Devante Kincaide RSO.
Composite – 3* 88 rating

2014 stats –
80% completion %,
127 passing yards, 1 td, 149.84 rate, 95 yards rushing, 1 td

Composite rating average
BULLDOGS – 84
REBELS – 88

My take:
Even the average bear would agree that using the star system to compare the quarterback position between the two is a complete joke.

Dec 31, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) throws a pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first quarter in the 2014 Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Okay I’m kidding, most Rebel fans truly think that their passing game will be far superior in 2015. That’s just laughable.

The Bulldogs are in good shape at quarterback for years to come.

The Rebels better hope that Shea Patterson is as advertised. Or can they manage to ruin him like they have the last several High School quarterbacks?

Running back –

BULLDOGS:

Ashton Shumpert JR
Composite – 4* 92 rating

2014 stats –
274 rushing yards, 2 tds

Aeris Williams RFR
Composite – 4* 90 rating

2014 stats – None recorded

Dontavian Lee RFR
Composite – 3* 83 rating

2014 stats – None recorded

REBELS:

Jaylen Walton SR.
Composite – 3* 87 rating

2014 Stats –
586 rushing yards, 5 tds, 19 receptions, 206 yards, 2 tds

Jordan Wilkins RSO
Composite – 4* 91 rating

2014 stats –
371 rushing yards, 2 tds

Akeem Judd RJR
Composite – 3* 87 rating

2014 stats – None recorded

Composite rating average
BULLDOGS – 88.3
REBELS – 88.3

My take:
Bulldog fans should never worry about the running back position, regardless of ratings. This backfield is going to be very physical and very good. They will not miss a beat in 2015.

Hugh Freeze has not had a solid running game in his Rebel coaching career. Rebel fans, this should concern you, shouldn’t it?

Wide receivers –

BULLDOGS:

De’Runnya Wilson JR.
Composite – 3* 82 rating

2014 stats –
47 receptions, 680 yards, 9 tds

Fred Ross JR.
Composite – 4* 93 rating

2014 stats –
30 receptions, 489 yards, 5 tds

Fred Brown JR.
Composite – 3* 84 rating

2014 stats –
18 receptions, 299 yards, 2 tds

Joe Morrow SR.
Composite – 3* 83 rating

2014 stats –
17 receptions, 344 yards, 4 tds

Gabe Myles SO.
Composite – 3* 85 rating

2014 stats –
22 receptions, 178 yards

Donald Gray SO.
Composite – 4* 91 rating

2014 stats – Non recorded

Jesse Jackson RFR.
Composite – 3* 88 rating

2014 stats – None recorded

Malik Dear FR.
Scout – 4*
247 – 4* 91 rating

2014 stats – None recorded

REBELS:

Laquan Treadwell JR
Composite – 5* 99 rating

2014 stats –
48 receptions, 642 yards, 5 tds

Cody Core SR
Composite – 3* 80 rating

2014 stats –
42 receptions, 558 yards, 6 tds

Derrick Jones JR
Composite – 3* 83 rating

2014 stats –
5 receptions, 55 yards, 1 td

Quincy Adeboyejo JR
Composite – 3* 86 rating

2014 stats –
26 receptions, 313 yards, 2 td

Damore’ea Stringfellow RSO
Composite – 4* 96 rating

2014 stats – None recorded

Markell Pack SO
Composite – 4* 93 rating

2014 stats –
14 receptions, 133 yards

Dayall Harris RFR
Composite – 3* 87 rating

2014 stats – None recorded

Demarkus lodge FR
Composite – 4* 98 rating

2014 stats – None recorded

Composite rating average
BULLDOGS – 87.1
REBELS – 90.25

My take:
There’s not a huge difference in the composite average at this position and these numbers are pretty flawed, because anyone would agree that De’Runnya Wilson was highly underrated coming out of High School; Right Rebels?

Don’t be surprised if Fred Ross leads this team in receptions and yards in 2015. His talent has never been in question and he looks ready to finally put it all together during the upcoming season.

Morrow, Brown and Myles all had valuable playing time in 2014 and are very talented players that will provide depth for the Bulldogs.

Gray, Jackson and Dear add even more depth to an already deep position. Gray and Dear have star potential.

Treadwell is a nice piece of the Rebel puzzle. The question is will anyone be able to get him the ball?

Core has been solid during his Rebel career, but nothing about him screams great.

Stringfellow is a big question mark, although Rebels will tell you that he’s the next Megatron. Nothing has shown me that he’s capable of becoming a star.

Jones, Adeboyejo and Pack bring back experience from the 2014 season.

Lodge has future star potential, but like with Treadwell, who gets him the ball?

It really doesn’t matter how talented your receivers are when you have no one to get him the ball. I’m not convinced the Rebels have that guy on the 2015 roster.

Tight end –

BULLDOGS:

Gus Walley SO.
Composite – 3* 81 rating

2014 stats –
4 receptions, 49 yards, 1 td

Darrion Hutcheson SR.
Composite – 3* 86 rating

2014 stats – None recorded

Shelby Christy SO.
Composite – 3* 85 rating

2014 stats – None recorded

BJ Hammond SO.
Composite – 3* 86 rating

2014 stats – None recorded

REBELS –

Evan Engram JR.
Composite – 3* 84 rating

2014 stats –
38 receptions, 662 yards, 2 tds

Sammie Epps RFR.
Composite – 3* 88 rating

2014 stats – None recorded

Composite rating average
BULLDOGS – 84.5
REBELS – 86

My Take:
Evan Engram was highly underrated coming out of High School. He contributed day one and is a very good player.

Depth at tight end is a serious concern. Evan Engram is not.

The Bulldogs have plenty of body’s here. Walley is a fabulous receiving tight end. Hutcheson provides a big target in the red zone.

Former receivers, Christy and Hammond might be the most talented tight ends on the roster.

In my opinion, this is the only position on the roster than could turn out to be a problem. However, I think the Bulldogs will be just fine, even if it is a tight by committee situation.

Left tackle –

BULLDOGS:

Rufus Warren SR.
Composite – 3* 83 rating

Martinas Rankin JR.
Composite – 4* 91 rating

REBELS:

Laremy Tunsil JR
Composite – 5* 99 rating

Christian Morris SO
Composite – 4* 90 rating

Composite rating average

BULLDOGS – 87
REBELS – 94.5

This is another position that’s mighty misleading as for as ratings go. I honestly feel like the winner of the Warren/Rankin battle will be in contention for All-SEC honors. The Bulldogs are in better shape here than I can ever remember.

Warren, a former tight end has the feet and the strength to be a great offensive tackle for years to come. He appeared in all thirteen games in 2014 for the Bulldogs.

There’s a reason Rankin couldn’t take the position from him in the spring and it’s not because Rankin was overrated, that’s for sure.

Tunsil is a future first round draft pick, but if he goes down the Rebals are in major trouble here. Tunsil is injury prone and that should be a major concern among the fan base and the coaches.

I just don’t think Morris is a capable SEC starting tackle.

Right tackle –

BULLDOGS:

Justin Senior JR.
Composite – 3* 81 rating

Elgton Jenkins RFR.
Composite – 3* 83 rating

Or

Cole Carter SO.
Composite – 3* 83 rating

REBELS:

Fahn Cooper SR.
Composite – 3* 87 rating

Jeremy Liggins JR.
Composite – 3* 86 rating

Composite rating average

BULLDOGS – 82.3
REBELS – 86.5

My take:
Again, the star rating is highly misleading at right tackle. One injury to a Rebal starting tackle could spell doom in Rebal land. Cooper is solid, but not great. He had a tough year in 2014. Can he turn it around?

Liggins rating was based on playing defensive tackle or end or quarterback or offensive tackle. I give up. I can’t even remember what position his rating was based on.

Senior is a 13 game starter and he was very solid in his first year as a starter. The starting left tackle is not in question.

The backup will be the the battle to watch. Carter has talent and appeared in eleven games for the Bulldogs last year, but in my opinion Jenkins is a future star in the SEC. He has all the tools and the toughness to become just that.

Nov 1, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs offensive lineman Justin Malone (70) blocks Arkansas Razorbacks defensive lineman Darius Philon (91) at Davis Wade Stadium. The Bulldogs defeat the Razorbacks 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Left guard –

BULLDOGS:

Justin Malone SR.
Composite – 3* 84 rating
2014 stats – played in 12 games, 11 starts

Kent Flowers SO.
Composite – 3* 84 rating
2014 stats – played in 6 games

REBELS:

Aaron Morris SR.
Composite – 3* 89 rating

Javon Patterson FR.
Composite – 4* 97 rating

Composite rating average

BULLDOGS – 84
REBALS – 93

My take:
Hey can you believe it? Yet another position where the star rating is highly misleading for the Rebels. Who would have thought that?

Morris has regressed since his Freshman year. Injuries have been a contributing factor, but I think coaching has played a role in that as well.

Patterson has never stepped foot on a collegiate field so he’s an unknown. Undersized and one of the Rebel recruits that I’ve pegged as highly overrated in the 2015 class.

A Rebel signee being overrated coming out of High School? No way that’s possible. Right, Rebels? I could be way off on this prediction. I guess we will see.

Justin Malone is one of the steals of his class. I know that could be said about many Bulldog recruits, but I believe Malone next level ability and size to go with it. He has started a lot of games in his Bulldog career. Don’t be surprised if his name doesn’t pop up on many “post” season awards lists.

Flowers gained valuable experience in 2014. However, I haven’t seen enough of him to call him the heir apparent. He will be pushed by a couple of talented freshmen.

Right guard –

BULLDOGS:

Devon Desper JR.
Composite – 3* 86 rating

Jake Thomas SO.
Composite – 3* 88 rating

Or

Deon Calhoun RFR.
Composite – 3* 81 rating

REBELS:

Justin Bell SR.
Composite – 3* 84 rating

Rod Taylor SO.
Composite – 4* 97 rating

Composite rating average

BULLDOGS – 85
REBELS – 90.5

My take:
Devon Desper gets the starting nod at right guard on experience alone. He looked pretty good filling in for Dillon Day last year in the Texas A&M game. Desper gained valuable experience last year and was even impressive at times. He’s more than capable of being a productive SEC starter.

The problem is, I believe that redshirt freshman, Deon Calhoun will be mentioned among Bulldog greats before he leaves Starkville.

I guess this gets kind of old when mentioning a Bulldog recruit, but I believe Calhoun is a real diamond in the rough.

Thomas was a tad bit overrated coming out of High School. Some had him rated as a four star tackle. I never saw him playing tackle at the college level. I do believe that he can be a valuable backup during his time in the maroon and white but I’m just not sure he can beat out guys like Calhoun, Flowers and a talented crew of freshmen that will redshirt in 2015.

It’s hard to believe Justin Bell is still starting in this league. He’s struggled mightily throughout his career.

If Rod Taylor, who I think is a very talented player, doesn’t pass him on the depth chart in 2015, then I will start to worry about my personal evaluation of Taylor.

I do think Taylor was a little overrated as a five star by some services, but that’s because I picture a five star coming in and being very productive as true freshmen.

A five star should have also been able to beat out Bell. Maybe Rod steps up and passes Bell on the depth chart this year. The Rebels better hope that happens.

Center-

BULLDOGS:

Jamaal Clayborn JR.
Composite – 3* 83 rating

Jocquell Johnson RJR.
Composite – 3* 85 rating

REBELS:

Ben Still SR.
Composite – 3* 85 rating

Robert Conyers SR.
Composite – 3* 82 rating

My take:
Jamaal Clayborn would have been the starter last year without injuries and personal issues plaguing him. This guy is good and he’s very intelligent.

Clayborn is going to make people forget bout Dillon Day in a hurry.

It’s Ben Still or bust for the Rebels. That’s got to be a cause of many nightmares in Rebel land.

Composite rating average

BULLDOGS – 84
REBELS – 83.5

OFFENSIVE COMPOSITE RATING TOTALS:

BULLDOGS – 85.1
REBELS – 88.9

REALITY:

Quarterback – Bulldogs
Running back – Bulldogs
Wide Reciever – Bulldogs (a wash at worst)
Tight End – Rebels
Left tackle – Rebels
Right tackle – Bulldogs
Left guard – Bulldogs
Right guard – Bulldogs
Center – Bulldogs

Next: Improved Scoring Efficiency = Staying Power for MSU