Bulldogs to lean on Fitzgerald to lead MSU to greater heights in 2017

Perhaps the most mysterious Southeastern Conference football team is Mississippi State. Some project the Bulldogs to be a factor in the West Division race. Others think they will do well just to avoid another sixth-place finish.

It’s a team with great potential in some areas and severe concerns in others.

True, the Bulldogs won a bowl game last season. But they got into the obscure St. Petersburg Bowl despite having a losing record. Nick Fitzgerald could be an emerging star at quarterback. But the receiving corps is questionable. The defensive front seven appears solid, especially at linebacker. However, the secondary is in need of a dramatic upgrade.

Fitzgerald and running back Aeris Williams, who combined for more than 2,000 rushing yards in 2016, should ensure a formidable running game. However, they will run behind an offensive line with three new starters.

Opponents will undoubtedly line up to stuff the run, which could cause significant problems. Last season the Bulldogs were 1-6 when rushing for less than 240 yards. The victory came by one point – 17-16  over Miami (Ohio) – in the St. Petersburg Bowl.

Will Fitzgerald be able to counter with an effective passing attack? He has the advantage of working with coach Dan Mullen, who is extremely adept at developing quarterbacks. However, Fitzgerald will also be working with inexperienced and unproven receivers.

And will the Bulldogs offense score enough to compensate for a defense that last season allowed an average of 38.1 points per game?

Fitzgerald, Williams, offensive tackle Martinas Rankin, linebacker Leo Lewis, defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and safety Brandon Bryant have top-flight talent. But will they get sufficient support to guarantee the Bulldogs are significantly improved?

That’s the Mississippi State mystery.

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Mississippi State Bulldogs

2016 record: 6-7, 3-5 in the SEC West
Postseason results: Defeated Miami, Ohio, 17-16, in the St. Petersburg Bowl
Coach: Dan Mullen (61-42 in eight seasons at MSU)

Returning starters

• Offense (6): QB Nick Fitzgerald, TE Farrod Green, WR Donald Gray, G Elgton Jenkins, T Martinas Rankin, RB Aeris Williams

• Defense (4): SS Brandon Bryant, CB Lashard Durr, LB J.T. Gray, LB Leo Lewis

• Special teams (1): P Logan Cooke

Strengths: Nick Fitzgerald is merely an adequate passer, but he’s a very good quarterback. A powerful runner, he rushed for 1,375 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. That threat enhanced his passing because opponents had to account for his running ability. Fitzgerald and Aeris Williams, who rushed for 720 yards, give the Bulldogs a menacing running game. Defensively, the linebacker corps was solid a year ago and could be excellent this season with Leo Lewis in a starring role.


Weaknesses: Receiver is a major point of concern. The departure of star receiver Fred Ross and a spring injury to Malik Dear cost the Bulldogs two of their top three receivers from 2016. That leaves Mississippi State with a very young and unproven group of receivers. The secondary is another worrisome area. Although strong safety Brandon Bryant is good and proven, the Bulldogs are vulnerable in pass coverage. A year ago they were last in the SEC and 120th in the nation in pass defense. Mississippi State allowed 33 touchdown passes (more than twice as many as Texas A&M). Only Arizona (34) gave up more passing scores.

Top three players

• Nick Fitzgerald, QB: He replaced the best quarterback in school history (Dak Prescott) and appears ready to establish himself as the second-best quarterback in school history. Fitzgerald’s first season as a starter began modestly enough, but he emerged as a major threat in the second half of the season and posted spectacular performances against Texas A&M, Arkansas and Ole Miss.

• Jeffery Simmons, DT: Some argue whether the controversial Simmons, who was caught on video hitting a woman, should be playing. But there’s no debate that he can play. Indeed, Simmons projects to be among the top interior defensive linemen in the SEC. Last season he posted 40 tackles and forced two fumbles — very impressive totals for a tackle. And he did that as a true freshman.

• Leo Lewis, LB: A sophomore, Lewis is big (6-2, 235), athletic and productive. He earned freshman All-American recognition after posting 79 tackles. The next-highest total among SEC freshmen linebackers was 49. He projects to be even more productive this year, especially under new Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham, who is also the linebackers coach.

Emerging star: Running back Aeris Williams provided a nice rushing complement to Fitzgerald last season. This year he may emerge as the hook to Fitzgerald’s haymaker. Williams gives the Bulldogs some size (6-1, 217) at running back they haven’t had in a while. He also makes good, timely cuts and is an excellent receiver. He came on strong at the end of 2016 and averaged 102.8 rushing yards per game in the last five contests.

Impact newcomer: Sophomore defensive end Montez Sweat started his career at Michigan State. He had problems there and left for Coppiah-Lincoln Community College. Now in Starkville, he’s counted on to boost the pass rush. At 6-6 and 261 pounds, he has the wingspan and size to be a significant presence on the edge as a pass rusher and against the run.

Biggest losses: The departure of receiver Fred Ross leaves a gaping hole. Ross caught 199 passes for more than 2,500 yards and 22 touchdowns in his four-year career. He’ll be missed. So will defensive end A.J. Jefferson, who was most impactful player on the defensive line last season. The Bulldogs also got a bad break, losing running back/slot receiver Malik Dear to a torn ACL in the spring.

2017 Schedule
Sept. 2 vs. Charleston Southern
Sept. 9 at Louisiana Tech
Sept. 16 vs. LSU
Sept. 23 at Georgia
Sept. 30 at Auburn
Oct. 14 vs. BYU
Oct. 21 vs. Kentucky
Oct. 28 at Texas A&M
Nov. 4 vs. Massachusetts
Nov. 11 vs. Alabama
Nov. 18 at Arkansas
Nov. 23 vs. Ole Miss