SPORTS

Five changes for Mississippi State in 2015

Michael Bonner
The Clarion-Ledger

STARKVILLE – Ten Saturdays separate Mississippi State from its regular season opener in Hattiesburg against Southern Miss. It's the first opportunity for the Bulldogs to show the world the success in 2014 was the start of a trend and not a fluke.

The unofficial start of football comes much earlier at SEC Media Days in 20 days.

In anticipation of the four-day event, the Clarion-Ledger will release 10 football geared previews looking ahead to Mississippi State's August camp and the regular season.

Part two involves the five changes for Mississippi State in 2015.

Bowling Balls

Josh Robinson led all MSU running backs last year with 190 carries. Ashton Shumpert was second with 47. Robinson, who called himself the "Bowling Ball", ran over defenders for 1,203 yards, about 900 yards more than any other MSU running back.

This year, the workload is likely to be spread among a host of talented ball carriers. Shumpert leads the pack heading into the summer as the most experienced rusher. However, redshirt freshmen Aeris Williams and Dontavian Lee impressed throughout the spring. Lee turned heads in nearly every practice.

He finished his first spring with 217 yards rushing, with seven receptions for 52 yards and five touchdowns in the three scrimmages.

MSU also returns Brandon Holloway, who rushed for 294 yards last year – the most of any returning running back. True freshman Malik Dear should also see time out of the backfield as a receiver trying to replace Robinson's 28 receptions for 370 yards.

Offensive core

Mississippi State lost 14 starters – seven on each side of the ball -- from last year's 10-win squad. While MSU led the Southeastern Conference with 513.8 yards per game, its defense acted as the backbone. The NFL draft reflected that by selected three defensive Bulldogs.

This year, the best player on the field wears No. 15. Dak Prescott may also be the best player in the league and has a chance to bring home the program's first Heisman Trophy.

Prescott passed on the NFL draft last year to improve his skills and win a national championship.

He'll have a host of bodies to throw to. Wide receiver may be the deepest position on MSU's roster. It may also be the most talented, behind quarterback.

The combination should allow Mississippi State to improve on its record-setting offensive production last year and be the soul of the team.

1A and 1A

Geoff Collins forced fans to pull their hair out last year with his 1A and 1B defensive scheme. The defensive coordinator is at Florida and his defensive philosophy should also be gone.

Mississippi State had the depth last year to play 20-30 players on the defensive side of the ball. That depth took a hit with the loss of seven starters, as well as Kendrick Market recovering from a torn Achilles.

"We have to figure out if we have 11 that we can line up with let alone 22," Diaz said in the spring. "I'm hoping, but hope and expectation aren't going to get any stops in the SEC."

Manny being Manny

Manny Diaz is the only new coaching addition in 2015. He inherits a squad that lost some talent but brings back experience. His tallest hurdle is in the secondary. MSU lost its two starting safeties, but returns three of its top corners: Taveze Calhoun, Will Redmond and Cedric Jiles.

The Bulldogs struggled in pass coverage in 2014. They allowed 272.8 passing yards per game. No other SEC school allowed more than 235.

Under Diaz, Louisiana Tech led the country with 26 interceptions last year.

From hunter to hunted

Mississippi State pounced on an unsuspecting SEC last year. The Bulldogs shocked the nation by debuting at No. 1 in the College Football Playoff.

MSU won't sneak up on anyone in 2015. Even those sleeping on the program, can't overlook its quarterback, who begins the season as one of the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy.

Fans also expect more. Last year began with a hesitant optimism. After a 10-win regular season, and returning the league's best quarterback, Maroon and White Nation is hopeful of a repeat.

Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@gannett.com. Follow @MikeBBonner on Twitter.