#24 Mississippi State

2010-2011: 9-4 (4-4 SEC)

It's debatable if Mississippi State has been more excited for a football season since 1941.  The Bullddogs haven't cracked the preseason top 25 since 1999 and are a common sight at the bottom of the SEC West standings, their last division title coming in 1998.  This year, however, Starkville is pumped as Miss. St. returns a backfield tandem to rival any of their SEC West rivals with quarterback Chris Relf and half-back Vick Ballard.  They have a very athletic Secondary, but the entire season could fall apart as the defense must replace three starting linebackers.  Watch for teams like Alabama and South Carolina with strong running games to have a lot of fun with the Bulldogs.

2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game September 10th @Auburn...the earliest SEC test for the Bulldogs will let us know if we can appreciate their chances this year.  Auburn is nowhere the team it was last year, but is still good.
Predicted Record: 8-4 (4-4) {losses against LSU, Georgia, Arkansas, Bama}