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Mississippi State Football: Nick Fitzgerald ranked in SI’s Top 100

By Cole Patterson

Dec 26, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) attempts a pass against the Miami Redhawks during the first half at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) attempts a pass against the Miami Redhawks during the first half at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mississippi State looks to bounce back from a disappointing 6-7 season. One reason for hope? Nick Fitzgerald’s brilliance.

We are getting closer and closer to Saturday’s in Davis Wade Stadium. 74 to be exact. Naturally, preseason rankings, polls, and predictions fill the internet and social media as analysts in the media attempt to predict what will occur in the fall.

Sports Illustrated has decided to begin ranking the 100 best players in college football heading into the 2017 college football season. They started their countdown with 100-91. Sitting at 97 is Nick Fitzgerald. Here is what SI’s Chris Johnson says about the Mississippi State signal caller:

"Fitzgerald is a member of a seemingly dying breed: the good SEC quarterback. All jokes aside, he put up head-turning numbers last season (2,423 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, 10 interceptions; 1,375 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns) while mostly eluding the national spotlight as the Bulldogs suffered unsightly losses to South Alabama and Kentucky and settled for a 5–7 regular season record and a meeting with Miami (Ohio) in the St. Petersburg Bowl. Even if Mississippi State doesn’t take a big leap this season (and it very well could), Fitzgerald’s brilliant dual-threat playmaking will give SEC defensive coordinators headaches throughout the fall. — CJ"

Related Story: Scouts are high on Fitz's potential

As Johnson points out, the Bulldogs struggled but Fitz had a stellar sophomore campaign. In his first year starting for Dan Mullen, Fitzgerald led the best conference in college football in total offense. Sure, he has work to clean up, but Fitzgerald is on his way to becoming a legitimate star in the SEC — if he isn’t already.

Personally, I believe Fitz is underrated in these rankings. It can be debated if he is the SEC’s best quarterback, but he did lead the conference in total offense last season. Fitzgerald also recorded the third most rushing yards by a quarterback in SEC history. Only some guys named Cam Newton and Johnny Manziel rushed for more in a single season.

The low ranking may have something to do with State’s 6-7 record last season. If Fitz, in his second season as the guy, can lead the Bulldogs to more victories in 2017, expect his name to rise more and more over the course of the fall.

Next: Dak ranked as one of the best 15 players in the NFL

What do you think about the ranking?

Is 97 too high for Fitz? Too low?

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