Mississippi St Bulldogs 2022 College Football Preview

Mississippi St Bulldogs 2022 College Football Preview

August 10, 2022

2021 Recap

Record – 7-6

ATS – 7-6

The Bulldogs finished the regular season with a record of 7-5 but it could’ve been much better. They lost to Memphis by two points after outgaining them by over 200Y, fell to LSU by three, WOO PIG by three, and Ole Miss by ten. Ya we know, if your aunt had NUTS she’d be your UNCLE, but it must be said that they were a solid bunch in 2021. They were uninspired in the Liberty Bowl tho (L 34-7 to Texas Tech).


Mississippi St Bulldogs 2022 Outlook

OFFENSE

Yup, you guessed it. The Bulldogs were great at moving the ball thru the air thanks to the golden arm of Will Rogers (4,739, 36 TD) but the ground attack was an afterthought (63 YPG, dead last FBS). That’s how Mike Leach teams like to roll, yo. Everyone returns to the WR group with the exception of #1 WR Makai Polk who caught 100 balls LY. Leach’s offense always finds a way to have deep and productive WR units so we aren’t that concerned. We’d like to see a bit more from the 1-2 punch at RB (Johnson, Marks) but we won’t hold our breath. The OL should be fine and has plenty of experience but it’s never a positive to lose a 1st round NFL DC at LT. We expect more of the same from the Miss St offense but hope they can stretch the field a bit more with the THROW GAME. <grabs popcorn>

DEFENSE

Mississippi St played a familiar style LY on defense as well. They were stout vs the run (113 YPG, #12 FBS) but relatively weak vs the pass (#81 pass efficiency D). We’ll also note that they were a bit light in the sack department (27, #11 SEC). We’re happy to report that the stop unit features nine returning starters and they look good at every level. They’ll be tough vs the run once again with a talented upperclassmen group and Tyrus Wheat and #1 tackler JETT Johnson headline a fine LB corps. We expect improvement in the secondary, particularly if they can get more heat on the QB, as three starters are back including star CB Emmanuel Forbes. They’ve also added several transfers on the back end. Look for improvement on defense this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The INTREPID Phil Steele ranked the Bulldogs #119 in his special teams ratings LY so they’ve made a change at punter and snagged Coastal Carolina’s fine PK Massimo Biscardi thru the transfer portal. Also note that Lideatrick Griffin is a devastating KR (32.8, TD LY). This should be at least an “average” group in 2022. <crosses fingers>

Schedule Analysis

Overall – The non-conference slate is very palatable and they should sweep the board. Unfortunately, they draw Georgia from the East, but at least they get them at home. The Bulldogs only play one road game in November (at Ole Miss).

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – September 10 – at Arizona

Once you are finished laughing, note that this is a trip out west right before they take on LSU in Baton Rouge.

Season Win Total

per BetOnline Aug 10

Over 6.5 -140

Under 6.5 +110

MEGALOCKS says:

Lean: Over

They’ll need to win three or four SEC games to hit the ‘over’. Seems reasonable.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

CB Emmanuel Forbes returned not one, not two, but THREE interceptions for touchdowns in 2020 as a freshman. That happened. Believe it.


MEGALOCKS Outlook:

Call us crazy, but this just might be the second-most talented team in the division. They’re certainly in the conversation. Mississippi St has to go on the road to face ROLL TIDE but get to play the Aggies, WOO PIG, Auburn, and Georgia in Starkville. Legit SURPRISE PACKAGE.

Go Bulldogs!


Want more Mississippi St football ?

WEBSITE

https://hailstate.com/sports/football

FORUM

http://forums.sixpackspeak.com/

http://www.elitedawgs.com/forum.php

http://mississippistate.247sports.com/Board/Mississippi-State-Bulldogs-Message-Board-Forum-59413

http://www.secrant.com/rant/mississippi-st-sports/

https://247sports.com/college/mississippi-state/Board/Sports-102871/

https://mississippistate.forums.rivals.com/forums/the-dawg-pound.8/

NEWS

http://www.clarionledger.com/sports/mississippi-state/

http://saturdayblitz.com/sec/mississippi-state-bulldogs/

http://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/

https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/344/mississippi-state-bulldogs