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Mississippi State Football: ESPN says MSU has nation’s toughest 3-game stretch

By Cole Patterson

Nov 26, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen watches the action during the second quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen watches the action during the second quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mississippi State football has the toughest three-game stretch in all of college football, according to ESPN. Can they pull off two wins?

Mississippi State football is back in 70 days. The season will be here before we know it.

ESPN decided to take a look at the toughest three-game stretches across college football for the upcoming fall. In their minds, Mississippi State has the most difficult three weeks out of every other team in the nation.

This is what ESPN’s Chris Low says about the stretch of games from September 16th to September 30th:

"1. Mississippi StateSept. 16 vs. LSU, Sept. 23 at Georgia, Sept. 30 at AuburnIt was only three years ago that Dan Mullen blew the top off the supposed ceiling at Mississippi State by leading the Bulldogs to a No. 1 ranking in November. Once again, there’s considerable buzz in Starkville, especially with versatile quarterback Nick Fitzgerald returning, but the Bulldogs have to find a way to survive a brutal September. They get three teams in the top 13 in three weeks. After what’s sure to be a black-and-blue, physical matchup with LSU at home, they go on the road to take on Georgia and Auburn in back-to-back weeks. Good luck finding a tougher or more taxing three-game stretch (without a break) — at least through our June lenses."

To begin the toughest stretch of games in the entire nation, Mississippi State welcomes in Ed Orgeron, Derrius Guice, and company into Davis Wade Stadium. The game will be played under the lights on national television, so the two teams will assuredly be ready to play.

Since knocking off LSU in Death Valley in 2014 behind Dak Prescott’s and Josh Robinson’s spectacular performances, State has fallen to the Tigers the last two seasons. However, each contest has come down to the final drive. The Bulldogs had a chance to win in 2015, but missed a 52-yard field goal that led to a 21-19 loss at home.

Last season, the Bulldogs saw themselves fall behind LSU 20-0 in Death Valley. However, Damian Williams led an inspiring comeback that gave the Bulldogs a chance to steal a win on the road. The comeback fell a little bit short and the Dawgs lost 23-20. Can they get over the hump this season?

Georgia, meanwhile, returns star running back Nick Chubb along with signal caller Jacob Eason. They also bring back Sony Michel to a loaded backfield in Athens. How will year-two under Kirby Smart go? That’s the million dollar question. Eason will surely build on an impressive freshman campaign and the two-headed moster of Chubb and Michel might be the best in college football. The Bulldogs of Maroon will be in for a tough battle in Athens.

Mississippi State and Auburn have had a recent history of tough, hard fought games. Unfortunately, State fell to Auburn in Davis Wade by a score of 38-14 last season. This time in Auburn, the Tigers will surely be the heavy favorite to win again. Can Jarrett Stidham live up to his preseason hype? The quarterback duel of Nick Fitzgerald and Stidham will be exciting to watch.

This stretch of games is crucial in both the national and the SEC race for all four teams involved. Assuming State takes care of business against Charleston Southern and Louisiana Tech, two wins in this brutal three-game stretch could have the Bulldogs among the top-15 teams in the nation.

Next: 10 Best Bulldogs in the NFL

Can the Bulldogs pull off some of their 2014 magic and take us on another unforgettable ride?

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