Comparing 2015 Games to Previous Mississippi State Games: LSU
2015 is a pivotal year Dan Mullen and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are riding the momentum of arguably the best season in school history. Every SEC game will be a battle, and in the spirit of all things preseason, I decided to break down how each of the conference games compares to previous years.
LSU has been on the schedule early for Mississippi State most seasons. 2015 keeps this theme alive as the Bayou Bengals will be the second game of the season. Many are predicting this game to go a long way in determining just how successful the Bulldogs can be in 2015, despite the fact the game is only number two on the slate. To me, this game compares perfectly to Auburn in 2011.
How it’s similar
The most obvious comparison is where the game falls on the schedule. Both games were the second game for the Bulldogs. This isn’t the only way they compare though.
Despite Chris Relf’s obvious passing deficiencies, the quarterback situation is comparable as well. Dak Prescott is far more polished as a thrower than Relf ever was, but Relf was a fifth year senior just like Dak Prescott will be. Relf was receiving a high amount of praise for his exploits at the position as a junior. We all know the accolades Prescott received as a junior.
In 2011, the Bulldogs wouldn’t have much of a chance to rebound if they lost to Auburn. Two of the next three games the Bulldogs played came against tough SEC opponents in LSU and Georgia. In 2015, if the Bulldogs can’t beat the Tigers, Mississippi State will get a break in the following game against Northwestern State, but will have to travel to Auburn and to Texas A&M after the Bulldogs play the Demons.
How it’s different
The real difference is the venues. Mississippi State had to play Auburn on the road in 2011. In 2015, the Bulldogs get to play LSU at Davis Wade.
This was the third year under Dan Mullen, and it was very much a transitional year for the Bulldogs. About half the team was comprised of recruits brought to the team by Sylvester Croom and the other half were recruited by Mullen and his staff.
The impact of both games
Mississippi State never fully recovered from their loss to Auburn in 2011. Relf was clearly rattled by the outcome of this game, and any perceived improvements he made as a passer seemed to vanish in thin air. Beating LSU could bring a surge of confidence to the team, but a loss to a team the Bulldogs completely dominated for 55 minutes on their home field could cripple the possibility of a great season. We’ll learn a lot about the Bulldogs in the second week of the season just like we did in 2011.
Next: Chris Jones and Will Redmons Placed on Bednarik Watch List