Mississippi State:
Sylvester Croom's West Coast system has yet to take root in Starkville, as State continues to lag the competition when it comes to putting points on the board. But there are glimmers of hope.
Quarterback Wesley Carroll, who was promising as a true freshman last season, is stronger and smarter after a spring practice and an offseason conditioning program designed to increase his arm strength. But the depth behind him is unproven.
The wide receiving corps continues to develop depth even after the departure of big-play guy Tony Burks. Jamayel Smith has emerged as a top threat and coaches are counting on senior Co-Eric Riley, who did not perform up to expectations in his first season after transferring from junior college.
One of State's focal points this spring was developing big-play capabilities from its running backs. Standout recruit Robert Elliott, a fast, shifty tailback who redshirted last year, says he's ready to help. So, too, does converted safety Wade Bonner. And there's also established and powerful Anthony Dixon and proven backup Christian Ducre.
Mississippi State's offensive line was damaged badly by standout guard Mike Brown's arrest and subsequent departure, but the team found a reliable center in the spring in J.C. Brignone.
Mississippi State has made progress in terms of recruiting more speed and it should show up on defense again this fall. The most notable loss for the Bulldogs is All-SEC end Titus Brown. MSU will turn to junior Tim Bailey ? a veteran of the Iraq War ? and Jimmie Holmes to solidify things on that end.
Cortez McCraney, who saw plenty of action last year, appears ready to inherit the full-time position at the opposite end. Kyle Love will step into a stalwart role in the interior of the line, joining Jessie Bowman, who contributed from the outset of his transfer from junior college.
MSU returns two of its three linebackers from last season, including Jamar Chaney in the middle and weakside player Dominic Douglas, a pleasant surprise considering how lightly he was recruited.
Coaches have praised sophomore K.J. Wright since he signed, and he'll get a chance to show his potential on the strong side.
Derek Pegues, who projects easily to the next level, is the team leader on defense and maybe overall, too. He played free safety last year for the first time, picking off five passes, returning one for a touchdown.
The Bulldogs are blessed with depth at strong safety, as De'Mon Glanton and Keith Fitzhugh, both seniors, have a combined 32 starts. Jasper O'Quinn and Marcus Washington each have a year of experience at corner, though depth is a concern especially given the spring departure of starter Anthony Johnson.
MSU has a special teams group loaded with veterans, including senior kicker Adam Carlson, who beat Ole Miss last season with a 48-yard field goal. Pegues is the experienced deep threat as a kick and punt returner; Blake McAdams will be a fourth-year starter, though his per-punt average of 39.3 last year didn't live up to an impressive freshman season.
OVERVIEW
After last year's eight-win season and a bowl berth, there's a collective sigh of relief around Starkville. Nowhere is that more evident than in Croom's office. Croom, after dealing with job security questions prior to last season has a contract through 2011 and hopes to be on the verge of creating something special at the school that gave him his historic chance.
2008 Schedule
Aug. 30 at Louisiana Tech
Sept. 6 SE LOUISIANA
Sept. 13 AUBURN
Sept. 20 at Georgia Tech
Sept. 27 at LSU
Oct. 11 VANDERBILT
Oct. 18 at Tennessee
Oct. 25 MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Nov. 1 KENTUCKY
Nov. 15 at Alabama
Nov. 22 ARKANSAS
Nov. 28 at Ole Miss
Sylvester Croom's West Coast system has yet to take root in Starkville, as State continues to lag the competition when it comes to putting points on the board. But there are glimmers of hope.
Quarterback Wesley Carroll, who was promising as a true freshman last season, is stronger and smarter after a spring practice and an offseason conditioning program designed to increase his arm strength. But the depth behind him is unproven.
The wide receiving corps continues to develop depth even after the departure of big-play guy Tony Burks. Jamayel Smith has emerged as a top threat and coaches are counting on senior Co-Eric Riley, who did not perform up to expectations in his first season after transferring from junior college.
One of State's focal points this spring was developing big-play capabilities from its running backs. Standout recruit Robert Elliott, a fast, shifty tailback who redshirted last year, says he's ready to help. So, too, does converted safety Wade Bonner. And there's also established and powerful Anthony Dixon and proven backup Christian Ducre.
Mississippi State's offensive line was damaged badly by standout guard Mike Brown's arrest and subsequent departure, but the team found a reliable center in the spring in J.C. Brignone.
Mississippi State has made progress in terms of recruiting more speed and it should show up on defense again this fall. The most notable loss for the Bulldogs is All-SEC end Titus Brown. MSU will turn to junior Tim Bailey ? a veteran of the Iraq War ? and Jimmie Holmes to solidify things on that end.
Cortez McCraney, who saw plenty of action last year, appears ready to inherit the full-time position at the opposite end. Kyle Love will step into a stalwart role in the interior of the line, joining Jessie Bowman, who contributed from the outset of his transfer from junior college.
MSU returns two of its three linebackers from last season, including Jamar Chaney in the middle and weakside player Dominic Douglas, a pleasant surprise considering how lightly he was recruited.
Coaches have praised sophomore K.J. Wright since he signed, and he'll get a chance to show his potential on the strong side.
Derek Pegues, who projects easily to the next level, is the team leader on defense and maybe overall, too. He played free safety last year for the first time, picking off five passes, returning one for a touchdown.
The Bulldogs are blessed with depth at strong safety, as De'Mon Glanton and Keith Fitzhugh, both seniors, have a combined 32 starts. Jasper O'Quinn and Marcus Washington each have a year of experience at corner, though depth is a concern especially given the spring departure of starter Anthony Johnson.
MSU has a special teams group loaded with veterans, including senior kicker Adam Carlson, who beat Ole Miss last season with a 48-yard field goal. Pegues is the experienced deep threat as a kick and punt returner; Blake McAdams will be a fourth-year starter, though his per-punt average of 39.3 last year didn't live up to an impressive freshman season.
OVERVIEW
After last year's eight-win season and a bowl berth, there's a collective sigh of relief around Starkville. Nowhere is that more evident than in Croom's office. Croom, after dealing with job security questions prior to last season has a contract through 2011 and hopes to be on the verge of creating something special at the school that gave him his historic chance.
2008 Schedule
Aug. 30 at Louisiana Tech
Sept. 6 SE LOUISIANA
Sept. 13 AUBURN
Sept. 20 at Georgia Tech
Sept. 27 at LSU
Oct. 11 VANDERBILT
Oct. 18 at Tennessee
Oct. 25 MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Nov. 1 KENTUCKY
Nov. 15 at Alabama
Nov. 22 ARKANSAS
Nov. 28 at Ole Miss
