South Bound & Down
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Best SEC In-Conference Games of 2016: Number 9, Mississippi State at Ole Miss

By Justin Melton

Nov 28, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen walks through player warm ups before the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen walks through player warm ups before the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Can Nick Fitzgerald earn the starting job in Starkville? Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Can Nick Fitzgerald earn the starting job in Starkville? Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Mississippi State Offense vs. Ole Miss Defense:

The Mississippi State offense is in rebuilding mode this season. Gone are stars Dak Prescott, De’Runnya Wilson, and Fred Brown. The good news is that leading receiver Fred Ross and running back Brandon Holloway return.

Someone will have to step up and fill Prescott’s shoes. That is an unenviable task considering that Prescott was perhaps the best player to ever come through Starkville. He was a dynamic athlete who could beat defenses with his arm and his legs. The competition to replace him as a four-man race, which many people have predicted Nick Fitzgerald to win. Fitzgerald was Prescott’s primary backup last season.

Also, the offensive line will have to improve from its sub par play last season. Three starters return, so hopefully improvement is possible for the unit. Finally, someone will have to step up and complement Fred Ross in the absence of Wilson and Brown. I predicted Donald Gray would do that in my “Breakout Players” article.

The Ole Miss defense also has some key pieces to replace. They lost star nose tackle Robert Nkemdiche to the NFL Draft as well as both starting safeties. The Rebels are also inexperienced at inside linebacker.

Fortunately for the Rebels, Hugh Freeze has recruited well. Also, the returns of tackle Issac Gross and nickelback Tony Conner should help things tremendously. Finally, the Rebels return two stud defensive ends in the forms of Fadol Brown and Marquis Haynes. Those two, along with Gross, should terrorize Mississippi State’s quarterback all game long.

Advantage: Ole Miss

Next: OM O vs MSU D

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