Mississippi State 2008 Season Predictions

With college football starting this week, and the Bulldogs kicking off their season this weekend in Rushton against Louisana Tech, I thought I would put down my thoughts on how our season will unfold this year.

Louisiana Tech - W - This one should be a win. Sure, LaTech has suprised a few teams in the past, just ask Alabama. Their main offensive weapon is running back Patrick Jackson. They may put up some points early, but they just won’t be able to hang with State for a full 4 quarters. Despite Pegues missing this game, State should come out on top easily. 35-10 (1-0).

Southeastern Louisiana - W - The home opener over the Lions should be an easy win. 45-3 (2-0).

Auburn - W - This game will set the tone for the rest of the season. The SEC opener at home against the Tigers. Auburn may also get caught looking ahead to LSU. The game will be close, but the Bulldogs come away with a win. 13-10 (3-0, 1-0).

Georgia Tech - W - An away game against an old SEC foe. Georgia Tech is only returning 8 starters from last year’s squad. Throw in a new offense to learn from new coach Paul Johnson and the Bulldogs could walk out of Atlanta with their 4th win of the season. They might even grab a chili dog at The Varsity on the way home. 27-26 (4-0, 1-0).

LSU - L - State can never seem to get past LSU. They will be coming off a huge win over Auburn and State may be tiring as they head into the last game before their first off-week. The game will be closer than last year’s, but not enough to win. 35-24 (4-1, 1-1).

Vanderbilt - W - State will be coming off a break in the schedule, and the Commodores fall in to the perfect slot for the team to ease back onto the field. Vandy will give State everything they have and it will be decided by a touchdown. 35-28 (5-1, 1-1).

Tennessee - L - Playing on the road in the SEC is tough. Few places are tougher than Neyland Stadium. State last won there in 1986. We could suprise them, but its not likely. 35-14 (5-2, 1-2).

Middle Tennessee - W - Homecoming will come and go with a victory over the Blue Raiders. We will be tired after the game in Knoxville but should be able to outlast in the end. 28-21 (6-2, 1-2).

Kentucky - W - Gone is the QB that made last year’s team so great. They have a star receiver or two left, but no one to throw to them. Look for the offense to really click on all cylinders here. 38-14 (7-2, 2-2).

Alabama - W - Defense was the key to our victory over the Tide last year - in addition to the Dixon TD and John Parker Wilson throwing to the wrong team all day. Julio will be hard to handle, but JPW probably will be the same ol QB. Bama will also be coming off an emotion game (and loss) AT LSU. 21-20 (8-2, 3-2).

Arkansas - L - Really, our 3rd loss could come from either Alabama or Arkansas, but Arkansas always seems to have our number. They have a coach and McFadden and Jones are gone, but the Razorbacks may be the harder of the two teams to handle. 24-20 (8-3, 3-3)

Mississippi - W - We take the show on the road and take it to Ole Miss, showing Houston “Giggity Giggity” Nutt how a real rivalry works. Look for this game to possibly go into overtime, but the Dogs get the job done in Oxford for the first time in 10 years. 45-43 (9-3, 4-3)

So there you have it. We improve by 1 win this season and go 9-3. There is a chance we could suprise Tennessee or Arkansas and go 10-2, but I like our chances at 9 wins.

What bowl would we go to? I would say either the Cotton Bowl or the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. If we get to 10 wins, that would put us in position to win the West if the stars align properly.

Here is to a great season!

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