Athlon's SEC predictions are out

[Coach34]

http://www.athlonsports.com/college-...13-predictions

They have predicted much worse- I still think we win the Egg to finish 7-5 though

[Goat Holder]

I love it....hope everyone predicts us that low.

I told ya'll mfers way back that we are winning 8-9 regular season games this year.

[hailmari]

I love being overlooked preseason. It's a reasonable/safe prediction on their part, we do have a rough schedule. But I'm in the 7-8 win belief club.

[Pollodawg]

I think at about half time during the Okie State game, people will realize that Chris Wilson isn't coaching our defense anymore. I want Russell to have a big year for us, but I think the offense would move more smoothly with Mullen calling the shots and Dak in the gun. I know that won't happen. But I think it would be less herky-jerky.

[msstate7]

If we throw the ball to our te's (esp Malcolm) and use Perkins in the passing game, I think we'll be good offensively. On 1st and goal situations, dak should automatically come into the game.

[GiggityDawg]

But Mullen's not going to do that; he's going to continue to run perkins straight up the middle and neglect his speed off the edges. I think the defense will be solid this year, but I'm expecting more of the same underachieving on offense.

[maroonmania]

I love it....hope everyone predicts us that low.

I told ya'll mfers way back that we are winning 8-9 regular season games this year.

Boy, I sure hope you are right. I'll be honest, I've definitely tempered my expectations based on the schedule and the fact we haven't really beaten anyone worth a crap during the regular season since 2010. Also, I still don't feel Russell and Mullen fit all that well together. If we can win 7+ games this year though with this schedule I will be happy.

[Duke Silver]

I just don't see us pulling off more than 6 wins. I'd absolutely love if we rose up and beat some people but nothing in the past two seasons has shown me that we can. We're below average at running back (not nationally but relative to who we play against), Russell is not good in a spread system, we're not good at receiver, and even though our o-line returns everyone, it doesn't matter that much when they were terrible against good competition last season. We aren't intimidating at d tackle, our olb's are just OK, and our safeties can't cover. I'm just hoping that Auburn and Arkansas are both horrible and that we play well against Ole Miss at home... This season has a lot of potential to be long and difficult for us.

[Coach34]

I just don't see us pulling off more than 6 wins. I'd absolutely love if we rose up and beat some people but nothing in the past two seasons has shown me that we can. We're below average at running back (not nationally but relative to who we play against), Russell is not good in a spread system, we're not good at receiver, and even though our o-line returns everyone, it doesn't matter that much when they were terrible against good competition last season. We aren't intimidating at d tackle, our olb's are just OK, and our safeties can't cover. I'm just hoping that Auburn and Arkansas are both horrible and that we play well against Ole Miss at home... This season has a lot of potential to be long and difficult for us.

I see things much differently from you.

I think we have one of the top 5 groups in the SEC at RB- Perkins is good, and both J-Rob and Milton were Freshmen last year

Russell while not great, is an adequate QB. Dak should also play a solid role this year. He is healthy now by the way

Our OL will be improved. I've never seen a team return all of its linemen and not be better. We were also 2nd in the SEC in fewest sacks allowed. That says alot for a team that has a statue at QB who holds the ball too long.

We may be the best team in the SEC at TE

We will be more athletic at WR- but not as smart or polished. These guys will make some plays- but the TE's will play a much bigger role this year

We have 2 draft picks starting at DE- we'll be much improved there. Adding Chris Jones in back-up role should help too

We'll be good at DT. 4 of our top 5 DT's are 4-star players. 3 of them were freshmen last year- they will be much better

Our LB's are the 2nd best group on the team. Skinner is moving to his natural position at Sam- where Cam played last year. Having Wells in at Willie LB will be an improvement also. And let's dont forget- 2 of our 3 back-up LB's are 4-star players in the Brown twins.

We have talent at CB- but it is a little green. An improved pass rush will help these guys and they will do a solid job this year.

No reason this team cant win 7 ballgames

Ok State lost 4 starters on the OL and their best RB who was drafted
They also lost 2 starters in their Secondary- which was 113th in the country in pass defense.
They gave up 40+ points 5 times last year and over 50 points twice

UPig and Arky are a little down
LSU is vulnerable and we are a sandwich game for them between Jawja and Florida
We play Ole Miss at home. Home teams in the Egg Bowl are 12-2 the last 14 years. Home field makes a big difference

This is a big season for Mullen and I expect him to come through.

[The Croom Diaries]

Thanks to Athlon for still not getting our logo right 5 years in. I really anticipated all the magazines predicting us 6th or 7th just based on perception of OM and UPIg and Aubie getting new coaches. I'd really love a wild west year where the champ is 6-2 or something, but Bama is such a juggernaut is probably ain't fixin to happen.

[maroonmania]

Thanks to Athlon for still not getting our logo right 5 years in. I really anticipated all the magazines predicting us 6th or 7th just based on perception of OM and UPIg and Aubie getting new coaches. I'd really love a wild west year where the champ is 6-2 or something, but Bama is such a juggernaut is probably ain't fixin to happen.

I'm an MSU fan and with our schedule this year and what we lost from last year I would pick us no higher than 5th. AL, LSU and A&M will obviously be placed above us and given the way we finished and the way the Bears finished plus the fact they really didn't lose anyone of note it makes sense that they would be picked ahead of us as well. Arky and Auburn are pretty big unknowns at this point although Malzahn at Auburn should get them back righted pretty quickly. But given the uncertainty there though we really shouldn't be picked behind either one of them.

[The Croom Diaries]

I'm an MSU fan and with our schedule this year and what we lost from last year I would pick us no higher than 5th. AL, LSU and A&M will obviously be placed above us and given the way we finished and the way the Bears finished plus the fact they really didn't lose anyone of note it makes sense that they would be picked ahead of us as well. Arky and Auburn are pretty big unknowns at this point although Malzahn at Auburn should get them back righted pretty quickly. But given the uncertainty there though we really shouldn't be picked behind either one of them.

I should hope you're a MSU fan. All others suck.

We'll see how ole Freeze adjusts to SEC defensive coordinators having an off-season to make their adjustments to his schemes. And I will say this point - last year the West basically had no spread option (that we knew of going into the year) teams as Auburn went to the pro-style and we had Tyler Russell. Ole Miss wasn't expected to do anything and they snuck up on some folks as did A&M. Now you've got A&M, OM, and Auburn back with the spread option stuff, and we'll probably be mixing in some more with Prescott. DC's will be ready. I think Freeze will have a tough go this year, especially with that schedule.

[maroonmania]

I should hope you're a MSU fan. All others suck.

We'll see how ole Freeze adjusts to SEC defensive coordinators having an off-season to make their adjustments to his schemes. And I will say this point - last year the West basically had no spread option (that we knew of going into the year) teams as Auburn went to the pro-style and we had Tyler Russell. Ole Miss wasn't expected to do anything and they snuck up on some folks as did A&M. Now you've got A&M, OM, and Auburn back with the spread option stuff, and we'll probably be mixing in some more with Prescott. DC's will be ready. I think Freeze will have a tough go this year, especially with that schedule.

Just making the point that I'm prejudiced and even I wouldn't pick us higher than 5th right now so I'm good with what Athlon has. OM may slip back but given they return everyone and add in a top notch recruiting class I doubt they slip much.

[Coach 57]

The stat about Tyler is very telling. 8 picks in 2 games? That means he threw 2 in in 11 games? And two of those opponents were Bama & LSU. Play calling on offense was horrible! Blame the right people. Tyler should've been pulled Vs. NW and if he was we in all likelihood win & we feel better heading into this year.


It's okay to say we'll win 6. No problem, I actually believe the same. But at least come to the table with clarity for the love of God people. Goat, no way we win that many BTW. So let me shed even more light on what C34 is saying.

Defensively we will LOOK better. Here's why. In my tenure as a coach there's one thing that is evident. There is no substitute for pressure applied on a consistent basis on defense. It was one of our many flaws last year that was glaringly obvious. It leaves your coverage on an island and as you are now finding out (I've been saying for a while now) 9 was and IS better than 13. With Autry being a staple to our defense (was on fire late) I seriously think him, Smith, Brown and Co. are going to benefit greatly from a 3-4 set up IF (and this is a BIG if) we can find a serious threat at the 0 technique (NT). When we tried the 3-4 scheme last year Cherrington couldn't command a double. And if your 0 tech can't COMMAND a double you HAVE to bring pressure elsewhere which leaves gaping holes in your coverage. I think Quay fits this bill nicely. For 2 reason #1 Turner specializes in interior DL and his hiring will make Quay look like a world beater to opposing coaches who watch our defensive film. He (when Wilson finally put him in) did this to probably the best OL in the nation Vs. Bama. Jones couldn't block him 1on1. He had to get help. That's why our defense started to slow their offense down. James is the guy that CAN change us drastically on defense though. But is his heart in it? His body ready? As coach said our LBs and pretty good and Collins is a good LB coach. Better pressure (again as C34 said) will negate green DBs. Deontae is one of the most underrated players I have ever seen at MSU. This kid is a draft puck for goodness sake! Watch! He has been playing out of his natural position and will finally explode this year.


Offensively you guys know my stand here. Dak SHOULD be playing but isn't. So drop it. As a coach sometimes you have got to make do. So what to do about Tyler? Take away at least a qtr of his attempts in the passing game. Hold on, calm down let me finish. Go Ace F-wing. In this formation you have 2 TEs, and are under center with a two WR set. There are many things we can use out of this set. #1 when facing pressure motion out LdP to a 5th receiver for another option. #2 You can utilize LdP's speed outside the tackle box with tosses, sweeps, and counters. #3 this also enables us to run between the tackles with our power backs and be down right physical! #4 It allows us to use the TEs (most versatile players) in elementary routes. #5 it puts Tyler in a comfortable position which is under center. #6 It will also free up space for our WRs. Ultimately people it's going to come down to how well we perform Vs Auburn & Arky. We can beat Tsun, we should've beat them last year. But we didn't. We'll be 6-6 and THEN (finally) Dan will be able to coach a QB he recruited!

[FlabLoser]

Is Tyler comfortable under center? He has never played under center.

[Coach 57]

Tyler is a Pro-set QB by way of his natural ability. I have seen him in this set and he looks truly comfortable in it. Plus they ran this formation last year a couple of times especially Vs USA.

[SignalToNoise]

Solid post, C57. Thanks for this.

[msstate7]

Is there any reason to think we'll be better in the screen game this year? Perkins could be the best screen rb in the sec, but we wasted that aspect of his game last year

[tenureplan]

Is there any reason to think we'll be better in the screen game this year? Perkins could be the best screen rb in the sec, but we wasted that aspect of his game last year

nm

[Coach 57]

All the more reason to go with the pro-set. So yes. Look I'm not an advocate of the pro-set as a base offense for the duration of Mullen being here. Just THIS year. Also I've never been a fan of changing formation periodically on a drive or to "maximize" a specific matchup. The hardest offenses to stop are the one's that all look the same. So if we stayed in this personnel grouping and ran our PA's (play actions), running, quick sets and screens it would be hard to diagnose from a coordinator's perspective. The only time you should change is #1 if you're behind and need to catch up. #2 In a 3rd or 4th and long situation. That's it! Other than that it is really difficult to diagnose. Much like a poker face. Could we win more than 6? Yes. But a few things have to happen one of which definitively be better. A.) Running game has got to consistently improve. Take pressure off of Tyler and the possibility of turning the ball over and plus dictating the flow of the game. We decrease the possessions, physically batter the opposition and create a more opportunistic situation for us to prevail. B.) Defense must get better on the DL and minimize us HAVING to bring extra guys for the sole purpose of getting pressure in the backfield. We should be sble to get penetration this year with no more than 5 guys (key to it) CONSISTENTLY! But as I said I actually see this coming to fruition. Yes Geoff is a good enough DC but alot of it will be because of Autry and Con. on the DL. C.) Better playcalling from our staff. Look I actually have kept my mouth shut about this as I know from my own experience how hard it is to CALL plays. But just like you can set your kids up for success....you can also set them up to fail. When we played aTm they used a cover 4)3 shell and basically kept everything in front of their DBs. Why didn't we run "stops" to counter it? Then once they walk the DB back down hit them with the double move? Playcalling CAN very over analyzed. We proved that last year. When tsun kept rushing extra guys to get shots on Tyler why didn't we run screens (worked perfectly for Dan's first 3 egg bowls) and draws all night till they stopped it? My H.S coach had a saying K.I.S.S. & it stood for Keep It Simple Stupid! Dumb down the offense and we should Brit find. Stop worrying about individual stats for Tyler.....they can come IF we get the "W"s!