Link: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...ll-rankings-mississippi-state-0716-story.html
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are No. 40 in the Orlando Sentinel 2017 preseason college football rankings. Coach Dan Mullen has developed a strong offensive attack that should help the Bulldogs clinch a bowl bid while competing the bruising SEC West Division.
Our ranking: No. 40
Coach: Dan Mullen (61-42, entering ninth season; 61-42 overall)
2016 record: 6-7 overall, 3-5 Southeastern Conference; tied for fifth in West Division
Look back: Entering the Egg Bowl, the Bulldogs were wallowing during coach Dan Mullen’s eighth season in Starkville - and the first without quarterback Dak Prescott. But a 55-20 road win against rival Ole Miss and an unexpected bowl invite ended an otherwise uneventful season on a high note.
While Prescott, the school’s greatest player, thrived with the Dallas Cowboys, the Bulldogs experienced a rough transition to a new era. A season-opening loss to South Alabama was one of five defeats during the first seven games. A 35-28 win Nov. 5 over Texas A&M was a rare bright spot until the late-season run.
The Bulldogs’ high team APR score and lack of bowl-eligible teams landed them in the St. Petersburg Bowl, where a blocked field goal earned Mullen’s team a feel-good win over Miami (Ohio).
Offensive starters returning: 6
Offensive starters lost: 5
Defensive starters returning: 4
Defensive starters lost: 7
More: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...ll-rankings-mississippi-state-0716-story.html
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are No. 40 in the Orlando Sentinel 2017 preseason college football rankings. Coach Dan Mullen has developed a strong offensive attack that should help the Bulldogs clinch a bowl bid while competing the bruising SEC West Division.
Our ranking: No. 40
Coach: Dan Mullen (61-42, entering ninth season; 61-42 overall)
2016 record: 6-7 overall, 3-5 Southeastern Conference; tied for fifth in West Division
Look back: Entering the Egg Bowl, the Bulldogs were wallowing during coach Dan Mullen’s eighth season in Starkville - and the first without quarterback Dak Prescott. But a 55-20 road win against rival Ole Miss and an unexpected bowl invite ended an otherwise uneventful season on a high note.
While Prescott, the school’s greatest player, thrived with the Dallas Cowboys, the Bulldogs experienced a rough transition to a new era. A season-opening loss to South Alabama was one of five defeats during the first seven games. A 35-28 win Nov. 5 over Texas A&M was a rare bright spot until the late-season run.
The Bulldogs’ high team APR score and lack of bowl-eligible teams landed them in the St. Petersburg Bowl, where a blocked field goal earned Mullen’s team a feel-good win over Miami (Ohio).
Offensive starters returning: 6
Offensive starters lost: 5
Defensive starters returning: 4
Defensive starters lost: 7
More: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...ll-rankings-mississippi-state-0716-story.html
