MSU's trends under Mullen

[Hammer Down]

Let's go back and look at some trends and records. In 2003 we were at rock bottom. They say it takes just as many seasons to get out of purgatory as it took to get there. 2001 was bad luck, 2002 and 2003 were true purgatory. So 2004 and 2005 was expected. In 2006 and 2007 we expected a little improvement, and got it. Then reverted back to 4-8 in 2008. Mullen shows up and takes a downtrodden squad and improves them to 5-7 against the nation's hardest schedule then hits a peak in 2010 at 8-4 (a peak we all gladly accepted at the time). Then, with higher expectations (although not rational) in 2011, we drop back to 6-6 level and then stay there for a while. 8-4 in 2012 although we all know we were not as good as a typical 8-4 SEC team. Then in 2013 we rose up a little bit, and probably were better than our 6-6 record. Now we have hit another peak in 2014 at 10-2.

I say all that to say this - we really need to realize this trend. Every couple of years we build up to a peak, then take a step back. But since Mullen has been here, every step back has been a little bit higher than the previous step-back. In 2008 we dropped back to 4-8. In 2011 we dropped back to 6-6, and next year, we will probably have another year like those two. We will have talent and experience again in 2015, and with luck, we could very well put up another 10 wins or better with a senior quarterback. However, we could have some more growing pains while learning to deal with elite success, and take another step back. But this time, I expect the step back season to be no worse than 8-4. Then after that, building upon this season in recruiting, we possibly take another huge step forward in a few years, and really break through to an SEC West championship.

Either way, this is my opinion. As a program we are in great shape. I hate losing to Ole Miss but come on, it is reality, they are pretty good too and it was at their place. We will win again next year, and have a great home slate with them, Alabama, LSU and an improved Kentucky team. Our road games could be winnable with a little luck. Great time to be a Bulldog football fan.

Another great thing that goes unnoticed is the continuity in our coaching staff.

 

[MabenMaroon]

Let's go back and look at some trends and records. In 2003 we were at rock bottom. They say it takes just as many seasons to get out of purgatory as it took to get there. 2001 was bad luck, 2002 and 2003 were true purgatory. So 2004 and 2005 was expected. In 2006 and 2007 we expected a little improvement, and got it. Then reverted back to 4-8 in 2008. Mullen shows up and takes a downtrodden squad and improves them to 5-7 against the nation's hardest schedule then hits a peak in 2010 at 8-4 (a peak we all gladly accepted at the time). Then, with higher expectations (although not rational) in 2011, we drop back to 6-6 level and then stay there for a while. 8-4 in 2012 although we all know we were not as good as a typical 8-4 SEC team. Then in 2013 we rose up a little bit, and probably were better than our 6-6 record. Now we have hit another peak in 2014 at 10-2.

I say all that to say this - we really need to realize this trend. Every couple of years we build up to a peak, then take a step back. But since Mullen has been here, every step back has been a little bit higher than the previous step-back. In 2008 we dropped back to 4-8. In 2011 we dropped back to 6-6, and next year, we will probably have another year like those two. We will have talent and experience again in 2015, and with luck, we could very well put up another 10 wins or better with a senior quarterback. However, we could have some more growing pains while learning to deal with elite success, and take another step back. But this time, I expect the step back season to be no worse than 8-4. Then after that, building upon this season in recruiting, we possibly take another huge step forward in a few years, and really break through to an SEC West championship.

Either way, this is my opinion. As a program we are in great shape. I hate losing to Ole Miss but come on, it is reality, they are pretty good too and it was at their place. We will win again next year, and have a great home slate with them, Alabama, LSU and an improved Kentucky team. Our road games could be winnable with a little luck. Great time to be a Bulldog football fan.

Another great thing that goes unnoticed is the continuity in our coaching staff.

Very good analysis; some good parallels to compare to would be South Carolina and TCU. College football fan bases do not lend themselves to patience, but if we can continue to show as much patience and support as we have so far with Coach Mullen and the program, there will be some true 'glory' years in front of us.

 

[dannyripms]

I actually think we will be better next year. Best qb in the country, playmakers all around him. I actually think the oline may turn out to be better also. Defensively if McKinney stays I believe we will be better. Can't wait to see peters and adam brothers on the field with the other redshirts. But LSU and tam may be better and we may end up losing to one. Auburn I think will be about the same or less because they will have a new qb, bama will have a new qb and tsun is losing a lot of defense and their qb. So I think we may see another 10-2 season if not better.

 

[Hammer Down]

Me too danny, but things can change quickly, as we have seen many times before. We are replacing experience with talent, and that is risky, but necessary, to get to the next level.

McKinney is gone though, bro.

 

[57stratdawg]

I think our offense can/will be just as good even with some new faces on the OL (assuming Dak and Robinson return). I think we'll take a step back on D though. The best thing about us is our front 7 can hang with power rushing teams (Bama, Ark, LSU). Next year, we won't matchup as well since McKinney is almost certainly leaving. Also, Matthew Wells isn't a player that you can just replace.

To me, Dez Harris' injury won't be felt until next year. Hopefully, he can recover. That guy is just as big of a freak as McKinney.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

I'll add a couple of more.

1. More depth on the OL and DL
2. WRs that are actually a threat
3. We can play with the big boys now - no one blew us out this year.
4. QB development and better QBs signing
5. Anyone can make THE play - when we were good in the past is all depended on one or two players.
6. National recognition. We need another 8-10 win season next year to keep this up.
7. We also changed the image of MSU and Starkville this season.

 

[Thirty-Two Dive]

We also have to be fortunate, by hitting the peak of our cycle, at the same time the blue bloods are at the bottom of theirs. This year was that year. That is the difference in 9 and 11 wins. They hit the relative bottom, far less than we do, because of consistency in recruiting high levels of talent. They have 1-4 5*'s, to go along with the 15+ 4*'s they bring in. They can afford to miss. We can't. Our margin for error is much less.

We are improving the level of talent. Until we annually get 1-3 difference makers to go along with our developmental core, (5* that immediately impact), this year will be as good as it gets.

By 4-5*, I don't mean subjectively rated. I mean in terms of time until impact.

All things considered, we are in a heck of a place, than was perceived 13 months ago.

 

[Dawg1976]

Agree with most. It would be nice if our step back seasons would only be 8-4. Not sure if I believe that. But I do think we can still manage to do well enough to get in a small bowl in those years. Which ain't bad considering our past.

But I do agree, our program is in a good spot and has come a long way under Mullen.

 

[Digging dog]

If Dak returns the step back won't be as severe.
We will be playing with less experience next year. However we have redshirted a lot of players.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

5,8,6,8,6,10

so the next few numbers in the sequence are
2015 - 7 wins
2016 - 10 wins
2017 - 7 wins
2018 - 12 wins

There's our undefeated regular season