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Mississippi State Football: Game by game 2022 season potential

By Tony Richardson

STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI - OCTOBER 08: Austin Williams #85 and Will Rogers #2 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs celebrate during the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Davis Wade Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI - OCTOBER 08: Austin Williams #85 and Will Rogers #2 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs celebrate during the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Davis Wade Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /
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Mississippi State Football, Will Rogers has the potential to have an Unprecedented Season

Mississippi State Football has a rare opportunity to have a season for the record books. Looking forward to the weeks ahead, quarterback Will Rogers and head coach Mike Leach can take the Bulldogs to unprecedented heights in the history of the university. Here is how I think they can do it.

10/15/2022 at Kentucky Wildcats

After two double-digit and spread-covering wins against SEC West opponents, Texas A&M and Arkansas, the Bulldogs are looking the most confident and comfortable as they have all season. Will Rogers is managing and taking over games with ease, in the last two weeks having completed 62 passes in 93 attempts. He also has been responsible for consistent offensive production for the Bulldogs, with 0 interceptions and 6 touchdowns in those past two weeks. This upcoming Saturday will be another road test for the Bulldogs, but if Rogers can make consistent and mature decisions as he has shown, and the Mississippi State defense can refrain from giving up the “big play”, I think the Bulldogs can leave Lexington with a W.

10/22/2022 at Alabama Crimson Tide

Even with Mississippi State’s poor history against the Tide, the matchup in Tuscaloosa this year may create an opportunity for the Bulldogs. Bryce Young, current Heisman trophy defender, and quarterback for the Tide is a tad banged up, and Alabama will be coming off an emotional game against Tennessee. If the Bulldogs can come out fast, especially defensively, and get the ball in the hands of Rogers and the offense, I think this game could be closer than some might think. Texas A&M just proved that Alabama has a few weaknesses, and even with the offensive production that the Bulldogs have shown in the past weeks, this game could come down to a last-possession type of ballgame.

11/05/2022 vs. Auburn Tigers

This game might be a stat-padding game for the Bulldogs at home. The Auburn Tigers are having a down year in comparison to the success that they are used to, and Mississippi State has shown that they can take care of business at home against SEC opponents by doing their job and executing Mike Leach’s game plan well. With the head coaching situation on the Plains being uncertain, the Tigers might be a team with little identity in the first weekend of November.

11/12/22 vs. Georgia Bulldogs

The Bulldog Bowl in the SEC might be a top-tier game in the entirety of the college football sphere. Georgia has shown lackluster performances against teams that are much less talented(vs. Kent State and at Missouri) while Mississippi State, at this point in the season, could be riding the confidence of 4 or even 5 SEC wins. A possible night atmosphere in Davis Wade has caused trouble in big games before, a la Alabama 2018. With a more consistent offensive scheme and a quarterback in Rogers who can dictate the pace of the game by calling audibles and switching between run/pass at the line of scrimmage, this game has a chance to be a massive opportunity for both Bulldog squads.

11/19/22 vs. East Tennessee State Buccaneers

This game should be another stat padder for Will Rogers and the Mississippi State offense. Can be a good confidence booster before possibly the biggest game in the state of Mississippi since that magical year of 2014.

11/24/22 at Ole Miss Rebels

The matchup in Oxford for the Bulldogs has been favorable in the past, with Mississippi State winning Egg Bowls in two of their last three trips to Oxford. Ole Miss has not had a notch on their record yet this season, and these two teams might be sitting in a contest worthy of birth to the Sugar Bowl, or even a higher purpose if the stars align for both of these teams. It seems like I am repeating myself, but if Mississippi State can slow down the Rebels rushing attack and continue to make smart decisions on the offensive side of the ball, I think the Bulldogs can win this game in a shootout. In the 2021 Egg Bowl in Starkville, the Bulldogs had multiple chances in the red zone to capitalize, but. could not cross the plane in times when it was needed for momentum. This year, Mississippi State has found the “land of milk and honey” 19 out of 21 times this year. If that trend continues, I find it hard to think that the Bulldogs will leave Oxford with a loss. With a win, it would be Mike Leach’s first Egg Bowl victory, a much-needed one at that.

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