They do this every summer....preview Auburn's opponents a week a a time.
MSU per OA News
By <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">Collin Mickle</span>
Published: May 21, 2008</p>
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the third in a series previewing Auburn's 2008 football opponents. This week: Mississippi State (Sept. 13). The series will run weekly.</p>
In 2007, Mississippi State's offense was a picture of futility.</p>
The Bulldogs finished in the bottom third of the Southeastern Conference in every major offensive statistic. MSU was last in total offense, last in passing offense and 11th in scoring.</p>
And judging from the results of the Bulldogs' spring game, 2008 will feature more of the same. MSU played four scoreless quarters in its spring game before an overtime touchdown ended the game with the score 6-0.</p>
The good news for State fans is that last season's offensive struggles didn't prevent the Bulldogs from having a successful season. MSU finished 8-5 in 2007, including a Liberty Bowl win against Central Florida, the program's first bowl victory since 2000.</p>
MSU did it on the strength of an outstanding defense, which returns almost intact in 2008.</p>
Eight defensive starters return, including second-team All-SEC middle linebacker Jamar Chaney and standout weakside linebacker Dominic Douglas. Chaney, a senior, has 186 career tackles. Douglas, a junior-college transfer last season, led the team with 8 ½ tackles for loss.
Sophomore K.J. Wright completes the linebacking corps.</p>
The defensive line will miss star end Titus Brown, but powerful tackles Jessie Bowman and Kyle Love are back inside. Defensive end Cortez McRaney, the unit's top pass-rusher, is competing for one of two available starting jobs, along with sophomore Brandon Cooper and senior Tim Bailey. McRaney had three sacks in MSU's spring game.</p>
All four starters return in the secondary, including star safety Derek Pegues, who doubles as one of the SEC's best kick returners. Senior safety Keith Fitzhugh and cornerbacks Jasper O'Quinn and Anthony Johnson are also back, giving the Bulldogs one of the SEC's most experienced defensive backfields.</p>
As outstanding as MSU's defense was last season, the unit wore down in several games due to the ineffectiveness of the offense. With six returning starters, State fans hope the offense can pick up more of the slack this season.</p>
The search for consistency starts at quarterback, where sophomore Wesley Carroll returns as the starter. Carroll showed signs of improvement this spring, but will have to hold off junior-college transfer Tyson Lee when preseason practice begins.</p>
An underwhelming receiving corps will struggle to replace longtime starter Tony Burks; seniors Jamayel Smith and Co-Eric Riley are the top returning pass-catchers.</p>
While Carroll and Michael Henig struggled at quarterback, the run game was a relatively bright spot for the Bulldogs in '07. Tailbacks Anthony Dixon and Christian Ducre, who combined for 1,553 yards rushing last season, are both back.</p>
They'll be joined by speedy redshirt freshmen Robert Elliott and Wade Bonner, who could add some big-play ability to MSU's physical run game.</p>
The offense will miss left tackle Michael Brown, a second-team All-SEC pick last season. Brown was kicked off the team after being arrested on gun charges in March.</p>
Brown's departure leaves the Bulldogs with just one returning starter on the offensive line, left guard Anthony Strauder. Sophomores Derek Sherrod and Mark Melichar will step in at tackle, while sophomore J.C. Brignone will get a shot at the starting center spot.</p>
The Bulldogs may not match last season's win total, which included upset wins against Auburn and Alabama. But after nine total wins in head coach Sylvester Croom's first three seasons, the program is finally moving in the right direction.</p>
[email protected] | 737-2561</p>
MSU per OA News
By <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">Collin Mickle</span>
Published: May 21, 2008</p>
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the third in a series previewing Auburn's 2008 football opponents. This week: Mississippi State (Sept. 13). The series will run weekly.</p>
In 2007, Mississippi State's offense was a picture of futility.</p>
The Bulldogs finished in the bottom third of the Southeastern Conference in every major offensive statistic. MSU was last in total offense, last in passing offense and 11th in scoring.</p>
And judging from the results of the Bulldogs' spring game, 2008 will feature more of the same. MSU played four scoreless quarters in its spring game before an overtime touchdown ended the game with the score 6-0.</p>
The good news for State fans is that last season's offensive struggles didn't prevent the Bulldogs from having a successful season. MSU finished 8-5 in 2007, including a Liberty Bowl win against Central Florida, the program's first bowl victory since 2000.</p>
MSU did it on the strength of an outstanding defense, which returns almost intact in 2008.</p>
Eight defensive starters return, including second-team All-SEC middle linebacker Jamar Chaney and standout weakside linebacker Dominic Douglas. Chaney, a senior, has 186 career tackles. Douglas, a junior-college transfer last season, led the team with 8 ½ tackles for loss.
Sophomore K.J. Wright completes the linebacking corps.</p>
The defensive line will miss star end Titus Brown, but powerful tackles Jessie Bowman and Kyle Love are back inside. Defensive end Cortez McRaney, the unit's top pass-rusher, is competing for one of two available starting jobs, along with sophomore Brandon Cooper and senior Tim Bailey. McRaney had three sacks in MSU's spring game.</p>
All four starters return in the secondary, including star safety Derek Pegues, who doubles as one of the SEC's best kick returners. Senior safety Keith Fitzhugh and cornerbacks Jasper O'Quinn and Anthony Johnson are also back, giving the Bulldogs one of the SEC's most experienced defensive backfields.</p>
As outstanding as MSU's defense was last season, the unit wore down in several games due to the ineffectiveness of the offense. With six returning starters, State fans hope the offense can pick up more of the slack this season.</p>
The search for consistency starts at quarterback, where sophomore Wesley Carroll returns as the starter. Carroll showed signs of improvement this spring, but will have to hold off junior-college transfer Tyson Lee when preseason practice begins.</p>
An underwhelming receiving corps will struggle to replace longtime starter Tony Burks; seniors Jamayel Smith and Co-Eric Riley are the top returning pass-catchers.</p>
While Carroll and Michael Henig struggled at quarterback, the run game was a relatively bright spot for the Bulldogs in '07. Tailbacks Anthony Dixon and Christian Ducre, who combined for 1,553 yards rushing last season, are both back.</p>
They'll be joined by speedy redshirt freshmen Robert Elliott and Wade Bonner, who could add some big-play ability to MSU's physical run game.</p>
The offense will miss left tackle Michael Brown, a second-team All-SEC pick last season. Brown was kicked off the team after being arrested on gun charges in March.</p>
Brown's departure leaves the Bulldogs with just one returning starter on the offensive line, left guard Anthony Strauder. Sophomores Derek Sherrod and Mark Melichar will step in at tackle, while sophomore J.C. Brignone will get a shot at the starting center spot.</p>
The Bulldogs may not match last season's win total, which included upset wins against Auburn and Alabama. But after nine total wins in head coach Sylvester Croom's first three seasons, the program is finally moving in the right direction.</p>
[email protected] | 737-2561</p>
