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Dan Mullen era trends are dying off one by one

By Josh Barnhill

Oct 22, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops and Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen shake hands after the game at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Mississippi 40-38. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops and Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen shake hands after the game at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Mississippi 40-38. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Prior to 2016, there were some trends we knew we could count on about Dan Mullen teams.

1. Always beating the teams you’re supposed to.

That was voided right off the bat with the loss to South Alabama. In his previous seven season, Mullen had beaten every non-power five non-conference game he’d coached except for Houston in 2009. But that game had a few exceptions such as it being Mullen’s first year, Houston was coached by Kevin Sumlin and finished the year 10-4 and MSU was an underdog in the game.

Every other time – even though there were close games against UAB, Louisiana Tech, Troy and Bowling Green – Mullen had always beat lesser teams. That was one thing you could count on until this year.

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2. Always beat Kentucky.

We were always 50/50 on beating the Wildcats prior to the Mullen era, but he made them into a win every year. 7-0 from 2009-2015. After losing 40-38 in Week 8, that is now off the board.

In some ways, you certainly have to say that if UK was going to beat MSU this was the year to do it. And every streak has to end at some point, right? Well, not necessarily with Kentucky. They once lost to Tennessee every season from 1984 to 2011. And they currently have lost to Florida every year from 1986 to present. So continuing a winning steak for an extremely long time against UK is not off the table.

3. Dead last in the SEC West?

Right now, MSU is tied for last place with Arkansas and Ole Miss at 1-3. The Dawgs still have to play these teams at the end of the year, but is anyone confident about beating them?

Dan Mullen has managed to keep Mississippi State out of the SEC West cellar despite the division’s dominance of the league and college football during his tenure. The closest he’s come was a three way tie for 4th place in 2009 at 3-5 with Arkansas and Auburn.

State became the first team in the West to lose to a team from the East this year with the Kentucky loss, so they are already behind the eight ball. Come late November, however, they’ll have to find a way to beat the Hogs or Rebels or both to stay out of a dead last finish.

4. Losing to Auburn and Ole Miss?

According to the trends of the Dan Mullen era, a loss against Auburn at least meant an Egg Bowl win.

Every year MSU has lost to Auburn (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013) they’ve won the Egg Bowl.

Every year MSU has beat Auburn (2012, 2014, 2015) they’ve lost the Egg Bowl.

So, the Week 6 blowout loss to Auburn should mean a win over Ole Miss come late November, right? Ordinarily you might say so but we’ve seen some trends fall to the wayside this year.

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