Overview-
After demolishing Michigan in the 2010 Gator Bowl, this was supposed to be a special season for Dan Mullen and the Bulldogs. Things just didn’t pan out that way, though, as the offense really struggled for much of the season against the rugged defenses in the SEC. Biggest issue was by far the quarterback position, where MSU had 3 different starters throughout the year and nobody stepped up to seize the spot. Senior RB Vick Ballard was strong again, posting over 1,000 yards rushing yards. Probably one of the bigger issues was the receiving corps. While some of the blame goes to the quarterbacks, and deservedly so, nobody really stepped up to be a threat on the outside. This, as much as any reason, was a big part of why the offense struggled to put up points in 2011.

Biggest Surprise- Vick Ballard, Senior Running Back
This was a fairly easy selection. Ballard is not really a big surprise as he rushed for nearly 1,000 last season so he wasn’t really coming out of nowhere, but nobody else on the entire offense established themselves as a consistent playmaker. With the big bowl performance against Wake Forest, Ballard finished with 1,189 yards on the ground. Next closest was LaDarius Perkins with 422 yards, so Ballard was clearly the go-to guy throughout the year.

Biggest Disappointment- Chris Relf, Senior Quarterback
Mississippi State finished 2011 with a 7-6 record, failing to measure up to their preseason hype after a blowout bowl victory over Michigan. Biggest reason for the Bulldogs’ lack of success was their inept offense. In five of the team’s six losses, they failed to score more than 17 points. Much of that had to do with the rotating door that was the QB situation. Relf began as the starter, but only had 4 TD passes in six weeks. He finished the season with a strong performance in the bowl game, but was not the QB many expected coming in.

2012 Outlook-
Tyler Russell should be the heir apparent, and a much better passing QB than Relf. Other than Ballard, practically every significant skill position player should return, including wideouts Arceto Clark, Chad Bumphis and Chris Smith. LaDarius Perkins will likely be inserted as the starter at tailback, but another option will need to emerge behind him. I would expect the offense to improve, especially through the air.

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