X Marc's The Spot: SEC Preview: Mississippi State Bulldogs

Bulldog fans in Starkville hope that change is a good thing for the 2009 Mississippi State football team. Head coach Dan Mullen takes over for coach Sly Croom who never quite got the Bulldogs where they wanted to be in the SEC West. Mullen, a former offensive coordinator at the University of Florida, brings his aggressive spread offense to Starkville in hopes of reviving an offense that has been flatlining for the past five or so years. Mullen brings hefty expectations to State after leading the Florida offense to national championships and the youngest Heisman winning quarterback of all time (Tim Tebow for those of who didn't know).

If Mullen hopes to resemble his prior success he will have to expect big things from returning starting quarterback Tyson Lee and running back Anthony Dixon. However, the Bulldogs' first challenge has already struck, in the form of a DUI charge against Dixon. There has been no announcement what the punishment will be for Dixon, but you can expect that the Bulldogs' success on offense will be a direct correlation with how much Dixon sees the field this year. Four starters return to the offensive line to protect Lee and help him deliver passes to wide receiver Brandon McRae who lead the team with 53 receptions last year. You can expect that Mullen will have some pretty effective game plans for the State offense. Whether or not they are executed properly will decide the Bulldogs' offensive fate.

In the past, Mississippi State has typically relied on a stout defense to keep them in games. With only two starters returning this year, the defense will need some new faces to step up and contribute in a hurry. Mullen was able to sign five junior college transfers this spring, some of who are expected to start immediately. Senior linebacker Jamar Chaney, who missed time last year with a knee injury, could be one of the best linebackers in the league if his knee is fully recovered. Question marks surround the defense due to the lack of experience and depth, but new defensive coordinator Carl Torbush hopes that the new faces in Starkville will help bolster the talent on defense.

The special teams units will featuer two new junior college transfers in starting placekicker Sean Brauchle and punter Heath Hutchins. Brauchle was able to connect on two 57 yard field goals during the spring and figures to be a major upgrade over the inept kicking game from last year.

The Bulldogs' schedule will test Mullen in his first year as a head coach. A tough SEC schedule including games against LSU, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, plus road games at Auburn and Arkansas is tough enough. But the Bulldogs will also host an out of conference game against a Georgia Tech team who looked very strong at the end of last season. With a brand new coaching staff and scheme changes, look for it to be a long year in Starkville while the Bulldogs adjust.

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