Mississippi State Bulldogs 2010 NCAA Football Capsule

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Mississippi State Bulldogs

Southeastern Conference

2010 Record: (3-2, 1-2)

2009 Record: (5-7, 3-5)

2009 Bowl: none

Coach: Dan Mullen (8-9 at Mississippi State, 8-9 overall)

Offensive Coordinator: Les Koenning

Defensive Coordinator: Manny Diaz

Current Leaders

Rushing: Vick Ballard, RB, 297 yards

Passing: Chris Relf, QB, 605 yards

Receiving: Chad Bumphis, WR, 352 yards

Tackles: K.J. Wright, LB, 38

Sacks: Chris White, LB, 2.5

Interceptions: Maurice Langston, CB, 2

Other Key Players: S Johnthan Banks, WR Leon Berry, C J.C. Brignone, OT Addison Lawrence, DE Pernell McPhee, S Charles Mitchell, RB LaDarius Perkins, QB Tyler Russell, OT Derek Sherrod, S Nickoe Whitley

With Memphis, Auburn, LSU and Georgia being the first four games on the schedule, everybody knew it would not take long to figure out this Mississippi State team. The Bulldogs ended up 2-2 through that gauntlet of a schedule and that is a great sign of things to come. Mississippi State added a cupcake victory over Alcorn State last week heading into what could be a huge game against Houston if Mississippi State hopes to make a bowl.

Strengths:

The offense is coming around nicely, but the strength of the Bulldogs is still on defense. Linebackers K.J. Wright and Chris White are underappreciated in the SEC and the top two tacklers on the team. White has turned into a blitzing option as well and leads the squad with 7.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks. The front four is not doing a good job of pressuring the opposing quarterback on their own, but White certainly helps in that department. If the defensive line can start tallying some more sacks of their own, most notably senior Pernell McPhee, the Bulldogs will be a major nuisance to any opposing quarterback. Yet, even without consistent pressure, the defense does not often break. That is mostly due to the good play in the secondary. Maurice Langston and Charles Mitchell were supposed to be clogs in the secondary, but this team has had some young players like sophomore Johnthan Banks and redshirt freshman Nickoe Whitley really step up and make it even harder to pass against the Bulldogs than most thought. That group has not really been tested like they will in Houston, but the signs are promising.

Weaknesses:

Heading into the year the Bulldogs needed to find a new running back or two and some consistency under center. The former has been accomplished with the emergence of junior college transfer Vick Ballard. Ballard has turned into a touchdown machine and nine of his 45 carries have concluded in the end zone. Freshman LaDarius Perkins is a nice change of pace back as well. The problem is at quarterback where Chris Relf has failed to establish his hold on the starting job. In the win against Georgia, Relf had a decent enough game, completing eight passes for 135 yards and one touchdown. The week before he only managed to throw for 35 yards and two interceptions. Tyler Russell saw some action in that game as well and threw three interceptions. Relf will get the start, but against tougher defenses, he is much more dangerous as a rusher than a passer. With a receiver with as much talent as Chad Bumphis on the field, the quarterbacks have to find a way to get him the ball.

The Bottom Line:

The only thing holding the offense together is the line. Relf and Russell usually have plenty of time to throw. Center J.C. Brigone and tackles Addison Lawrence and Derek Sherrod have done a great job and they have paved the way for the ground game and given the quarterbacks the best opportunity possible to be successful. Both signal callers got some much needed experience and confidence in the blowout win over Alcorn State and that could be just what they needed. However, that confidence could go away quickly if Houston can cover receivers a little better than Alcorn State.

2010 Team Stats:

Rushing Offense: 172.40 (48^th in nation, 6^th in conference)

Passing Offense: 220.20 (65, 6)

Total Offense: 392.60 (53, 6)

Scoring Offense: 28.60 (57, 8)

Rushing Defense: 126.40 (39, 6)

Pass Defense: 186.80 (44, 6)

Total Defense: 313.20 (32, 36)

Scoring Defense: 16.20 (22, 4)

Turnover Margin: -.80 (94, 11)

Sacks: 1.80 (68, 9)

Sacks Allowed: 1.40 (37, 4)

2010 Results:

September 4^th vs. Memphis: 49-7

September 9^th vs. Auburn: 14-17

September 18^th at LSU: 7-29

September 25^th vs. Georgia: 24-12

October 2^nd vs. Alcorn State: 49-16