Something to look at as the schedule flips in 2015

[msstate7]

I think we play AU, Arky, Bama and om the week after they each play LSU. The LSU hangover is well documented.

Maybe nothing, maybe something.

Yep. After we play lsu next season, we need them to be a very physical team. I think they will be

[Dawgface]

Im thinking a 6 or 8 win season depending on whether Dak comes back. Until we break through the odd season trend, no reason to be more positive IMO.

[CadaverDawg]

I would set the over/under at 7.5

Right now, it looks like a whole lot of toss ups on our schedule. I think we have taken a step to where, if Dak returns, there is no "guaranteed L" in the loss column anymore. Therefore here's how I would rate the games from my perspective...

Must win:

USM
Northwestern St
Troy
La Tech
Kentucky
Ole Miss (they will be good, but we MUST hold serve at home)

Toss ups:

LSU
@ Auburn
@ A&M
@ Mizzou
Alabama
@ Arkansas

Obviously, I don't believe we will lose all 6 toss ups, but winning on the road isn't easy in this league, and we get 2 of our tougher opponents at home. This may truly be a year where we think 6 wins and get 10, or think 10 wins and get 6. 7-8 wins is a safe bet, but if we beat LSU early, that could change quickly much like this season.

[Dawgfan77]

If dak comes back this will be the most talented team Mullen has had. We may lose Day Beckwith and clausell on the OL but we replace them with a more talented players up front. Clausell didn't impress me this year. Hev will have 10 sec OL next year. We do lose jameon and ROJO but let's be honest adding gray, Myles and Jackson nullifies those losses. Hell our WR may be the best group in MSU history. The biggest loss on O is Robinson but when was the last time we didn't have an effective RB?
Defensivly we lost smith but brown played very well this year. Brown combined with AJ with back ups being Coleman and the kid from co Lin I don't see much of a drop off. Jones and James at DT backed up by Adams and Thomas really solid. I'm not concerned about LB as great as McKinny is he would get lost sometimes. I've head Green is going to be better long term. We will see. Secondary worries me a but but Calhoun and Redmond return. We will be dependant on young guys in the secondary esp at safety

[Johnson85]

Havent those 2 teams been a loss regardless of where we played them under mullen?

Hopefully we've turned the corner with lsu and we get off the snide with bama this year

That's the point. In odd years we have had two for sure losses at home and therefor end up with toss-ups on the road.

2015 could be different because we don't have any for sure losses. As long as we're good and LSU and Bama are good, odd years will be feast or famine years. We have the potential to beat the toughest teams at home and get the egg bowl at home, and have winnable games on the road. Things go right, we can be in the playoff hunt. But, that also makes 6 games on our schedule games we can lose. Lose against the top teams at home and drop some toss-ups on the road, and you're looking at 6 or 7 wins.

[HancockCountyDog]

The at A&M and at Arkansas games will be extremely difficult.

Also, I think we should not be forced to think about the season next year if Dak goes pro. I still have too many visions of what that team looked like against UAB for a lifetime.

[bulldawg28]

The at A&M and at Arkansas games will be extremely difficult.

Also, I think we should not be forced to think about the season next year if Dak goes pro. I still have too many visions of what that team looked like against UAB for a lifetime.

That was under Collins...it just got real. If teams struggled running on us with Collins they'll definitely struggle under Diaz. We just upgraded.

[Liverpooldawg]

It depends on more than Dak. The offensive line is a huge question mark, so is the secondary.

[maroonmania]

Biggest issue next year is going to be trading out Vandy for Missouri (worst in the East to one of the best) coupled with using up a home game on Bama. A couple of years ago LSU was in the sure loss category but in my mind has now moved into the tossup category. At Arkansas is tough on us but probably no tougher than going to Oxford. Missouri and TA&M in the same year make for 2 LONG road trips. Auburn would be tough next year at home or away, they have a ton coming back and Jeremy Johnson won't be much of a dropoff from Marshall.

[archdog]

2014- 10-3
2013- 7-6
2012- 8-5
2011- 7-6
2010- 9-4
2009- 5-7

27-12 in even years under Mullen
19-19 in odd numbered years

I wonder if any of this has to do with coaching changes after our even years?

[Bothrops]

Have to beat LSU to have a good season, but that's my opinion. It's a must win. Must win.