Predicting the 2022 SEC Football Season: Mississippi State Game-Picks and Preview

Quantity 5 in our sequence of untamed blind dart-throwing predictions takes us to Missy State.

WEEK 8, OCT 22: MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS

Coach: Mike Leach, age 61 (11-13 two seasons at MSU; 7-11 SEC; 150-103 general)

2021 MSU document: 7-6, (4-4 in SEC, Third within the West Division; Misplaced Liberty Bowl)

CB969 2021 Prediction: 5-7; “Granted, Leach inherited a large number at Mississippi State. Up to now, he has not completed a lot to provide a lot hope to problem for the SEC West anytime quickly. The passing recreation ought to be enjoyable and thrilling however the protection shouldn’t be nice…”

Trying again: 2021 was a schizo 12 months for Clanga-clang as they barely snuck by a foul LaTech (3-9) group after which topped a strong NC State (9-3) by two touchdowns. For an encore, nevertheless, they took a faceplant towards a bleh Memphis that ended up 6-6 on the season. Then a house loss to circling-the-drain LSU was adopted by a highway win over TAMU. And that’s how the season went. Routed by Bama, beat Vandy and UK. Lose to Arky, win at Auburn. The season led to a thud because the Bulldogs misplaced the Egg Bowl after which obtained pushed round by Texas Tech 34-7 for his or her second defeat in Memphis on the season.

Returning starters: 7 on offense, 7 on protection, punter.

Key losses: OT Charles Cross (Spherical 1, Seahawks), CB Martin Emerson (Spherical 3, Browns), WR Makai Polk (105 rec, 1046 yds, 9 TD), LB Aaron Brule (switch to Michigan State), WR Malik Heath (Ole Miss – OUCH!), EDGE Aaron Odom (Southern Miss). [MSU had about seven or eight guys – mostly on defense, mostly contributors – transfer to USM.]

High returnees: QB Will Rogers, CB Emmanuel Forbes (solely Bully among the many preseason All-SEC 1st-Third groups!), WR Jaden Walley, WR Austin Williams, RB Jo’quavious Marks, LB Jett Johnon, KR Lideatrick Griffin, NT Nathan Pickering, LB Tyrus Wheat.

High newcomers: S Jackie Matthew (in from West Virginia), DB Marcus Banks (Alabama), PK Massimo Biscardi (Coastal Carolina), frosh DL Trevion Williams (Crystal Springs, MS).

Title you must know: QB Will Rogers can sling it. Final season, he was second within the nation and first amongst Energy-5 in passing yards with 4,449. He related 35 occasions with receivers for scores and had solely 8 interceptions – 3 of which got here towards the Crimson Tide. Alabama was the one 2021 recreation through which he didn’t discover the top zone.

Strengths: The passing recreation will put up massive numbers… Mixed 199 receptions for two,233 yards and 18 touchdowns from final season returning (bust misplaced their main receiver)… Linebackers ought to be improved… Many junior, senior, and super-senior starters…

Weaknesses: Regardless of the Air Raid offense, MSU was solely sixtieth in scoring final season (29.1 ppg)… Defensive backfield has many new faces and can once more be suspect… D-line depth… Changing two OGs… Motivation – with MSU, you by no means know what sort of group will present up on gameday… Teaching employees is unimpressive… Enjoying within the SEC West…

Outlook: Mike Leach won’t ever win a Nationwide Championship and even an SEC Championship. Nonetheless, his high-flying offense may give any group bother on any given Saturday. The Bullies will in all probability shock a group or two but in addition lose some they haven’t any enterprise dropping. Guessing which of them is a problem. Regardless, count on them within the center to decrease of the SEC pack and a tier 3 bowl recreation.

Win Complete Odds

Over 6.5 -130
Below 6.5 +110

2022 SCHEDULE:

Sept 3 vs Memphis – W – revenge.
Sept 10 @ Arizona – W – Zona sucks so dangerous.
Sept 17 @ LSU – L – they aren’t able to win at evening in Tiger Stadium.
Sept 24 vs Bowling Inexperienced – W
Oct 1 vs Texas A&M – L – might TAMU get caught looking forward to Bama?
Oct 8 vs Arkansas – L – might go both approach
Oct 15 @ Kentucky – L – toss up
Oct 22 @ Alabama – L
Nov 5 vs Auburn – W – Needs to be stop mode for Aubie by November.
Nov 12 vs Georgia – L
Nov 19 vs East Tennessee State – W –
Thu, Nov 24 @ Ole Miss – W – simply because this annual recreation is all the time chaotic.

* I could get the video games fallacious however 6 wins sounds about proper.

ALABAMA SCHEDULE PREVIEWS:

Sept 3 vs Utah State 6:30pm SECN
Sept 10 at Texas 11:00am FOX
Sept 17 vs Louisiana–Monroe 3:00pm SECN
Sept 24 vs Vanderbilt
Oct 1 at Arkansas
Oct 8 vs Texas A&M
Oct 15 at Tennessee
Oct 22 vs Mississippi State
Oct 29 bye
Nov 5 at LSU
Nov 12 at Ole Miss
Nov 19 vs Austin Peay 11:00am SECN+
Nov 26 vs Auburn