2015 College Football Preview

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Transcript of 2015 College Football Preview

Page 1: 2015 College Football Preview
Page 2: 2015 College Football Preview

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CHAMPIONS

PLAYHERE

www.eastms.edu

The DispaTch • www.cdispatch.com2 Sunday, auguSt 16, 2015 college football preview

Page 3: 2015 College Football Preview

more than Texas A&M, which is No. 27.

The media picked Ala-bama to win the SEC West, with Auburn, LSU, Arkan-sas, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M finishing ahead of MSU. When the predict-ed order of finish was re-leased, Prescott tweeted, “Preseason Rankings & Predictions #LOL.”

MSU returns only four starters on both sides of the ball, but it has 22 let-termen returning on of-fense and 20 on defense.

“People just look at the number of returning starters,” Mullen said. “(Senior cornerback) Will Redmond is not listed as a returning starter, yet we just said he’s a pre-season award candidate. I don’t know what weighs into everyone’s idea. It comes down to who has it as a team. Who can stay healthy at key positions. You have guys you’re re-ally going to depend on, and if you can keep them healthy, you’re going to have a chance to be suc-cessful.”

MSU’s coaches might not talk about the lack of recognition the Bulldogs have received, but they have used it as motivation in practice.

During the first day, the coaches reminded senior defensive lineman Ryan Brown of the media’s perception several times.

“I heard someone men-tion that 10 times at prac-tice, so that is going to help and motivate us each and every day,” Brown said. “It is all about who is hungry and who executes the most. We are trying to build on that and have fun.”

The DispaTch • www.cdispatch.comcollege football preview Sunday, auguSt 16, 2015 3

mississippi state bulldogsAthletic Website: www.hailstate.com; Twitter: @HailStateFB; Facebook: www.facebook.com/HailStateFootball; Instagram: www.instagram.com/HailStateFB

2015 ScheduleSept. 5 At Southern Miss.Sept. 12 LSUSept. 19 NORTHWESTERN STATESept. 26 At AuburnOct. 3 At Texas A&MOct. 10 TROYOct. 17 LOUISIANA TECHOct. 24 KENTUCKYNov. 5 At MissouriNov. 15 ALABAMANov. 21 At ArkansasNov. 28 OLE MISSHOME GAMES IN CAPS

2014 ResultsAug. 30 W, 49-0 SOUTHERN MISSSept. 6 W, 47-34 UABSept. 13 W, 35-3 At South AlabamaSept. 20 W, 34-29 At LSUOct. 4 W, 48-31 TEXAS A&MOct. 11 W, 38-23 AUBURNOct. 25 W, 45-31 At KentuckyNov. 1 W, 17-10 ARKANSASNov. 8 W, 45-16 UT MARTINNov.15 L, 20-25 At AlabamaNov. 22 W, 51-0 VANDERBILTNov. 29 L, 17-31 At Ole MissDec. 31 L, 34-49 Vs. Georgia TechHOME GAMES IN CAPS

iNside

n The Dispatch would like to thank the media re la t ions and sports information departments at Mississippi State, East Mississippi Community College, Itawamba C.C., Ole Miss, and Alabama for their help in gathering all of the information in this year’s section.

n Each week during the season, we will have special features for MSU and EMCC, as well as stories about former local football players who are playing football at other state junior colleges. Every Wednesday or Thursday, we will spotlight JUCOs. Every Friday, we will preview MSU’s game that week.

n A special thanks to Stacy Clark for designing the cover.

n Fans can follow Ben Wait’s coverage of MSU at www.

cdispatch.com and on his blog, which you can access on the website. You can also stay abreast of the latest MSU news by following Ben on Twitter at: @bcwait.

n The Dispatch encourages all fans to call us with their comments and questions. You can reach us at 662-327-1297 or e-mail information to [email protected]. If you need to reach sports editor Adam Minichino, email him at [email protected]. If you need to reach sports writer Scott Walters, email him at [email protected]. If you need to reach MSU writer Ben Wait, email him at [email protected].

n Also, if you know of any former local high school athletes playing a sport in college, call us at 662-327-1297 or e-mail us at [email protected].

Team PageMSU ............................ 3-6East Mississippi C.C. .... 7Ole Miss .................... 9-10Itawamba C.C. ............. 11Alabama .................. 12-13

tHaNKs / about us

CoaCHiNg staffHead CoachDan Mullen

n Tony Hughes — Assistant Head Coach / Safeties / Recruiting Coordinatorn Manny Diaz — Defensive Coordinator / LBsn Billy Gonzales — co-Offensive Coordinator/Passing Game/WRsn John Hevesy — co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line / Running Gamen Greg Knox — RBs / Special Teams Coordinatorn Brian Johnson — QBsn Scott Sallach — TEsn Deshea Townsend — Cornerbacksn David Turner — Defensive Linen Rick Court — Head Strength Coachn Jon Clark — Assistant to Head Coach / Coordinator of Football Operationsn Rockey Felker — Director of Player Personnel / High School Relationsn Lee Davis — Coordinator of Football Recruitingn Sleepy Robinson — Recruiting Specialistn Neil Stopczynski — Assistant Recruiting Coordinatorn Albert Poree — Defensive Quality Controln James Vollono — Special Teams Quality Control

See MSU, 16

FOOTBALL 2015

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n Touchdowns for senior quarterback Dak Prescott. He has thrown 41, rushed for 31, and caught three.

bY tHe NumbeRs

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32n Combined career starts MSU returns on the offensive line. Justin Malone leads the way with 16, while Justin Senior has 14 and Devon Desper has two.

— Ben Wait

Mark Wilson/Dispatch StaffMississippi State football coach Dan Mullen (top) will lean on senior quarterback Dak Prescott (below) to help the Bulldogs build on their 10-win season in 2014.

MSU wantS to SURpRiSe againBY BEN [email protected]

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team has become accus-tomed to playing with something to prove.

The Bulldogs usually are undervalued by mem-bers of the national media. Earlier this summer, the Southeastern Conference media picked MSU to fin-ish seventh — last — in the SEC West.

Last season, MSU was picked to finish fifth in the division, but it finished second behind Alabama with a conference record of 6-2. MSU had a chance to win the division, but it lost to Alabama and to Ole Miss in the final three weeks of the regular sea-son. The Bulldogs began the season with nine-straight victories and were ranked No. 1 in the nation-al polls for five weeks.

This season, senior quarterback Dak Prescott returns to lead MSU. Prescott, a first-team All-SEC pick by the media and coaches last season, finished higher in the Heisman Trophy vote than any player in school histo-ry (eighth, 42 points). He was an honorable mention All-American and the first finalist in school history for the Maxwell, Davey O’Brien, and Johnny Uni-tas awards. Prescott is a 2015 National Player of the Year candidate and a Preseason All-American (Athlon Sports, Phil Steele).

But MSU seventh-year coach Dan Mullen and his staff don’t pay much atten-tion to the preseason pre-dictions and accolades.

“It’s the same thing with preseason awards,

Mullen isn’t concerned about outside expectations after first no. 1 ranking, 10-win season

none of that means a lot to me,” Mullen said. “What is going to determine it is so much. I guarantee you the history of the pro-gram over the last 100-plus years has something to do with where we get picked.”

MSU will open the sea-son at 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at Southern Mis-

sissippi. Fox Sports 1 will broadcast the game live. MSU defeated USM 49-0 in the 2014 opener for both teams in Starkville.

After going 10-3 last season, the Bulldogs were ranked No. 26 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, the sixth highest by a mem-ber of the SEC West. MSU received 164 votes, 15

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The DispaTch • www.cdispatch.com4 Sunday, auguSt 16, 2015 college football preview

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mississippi state bulldogsAthletic Website: www.hailstate.com; Twitter: @HailStateFB

Dispatch File PhotoLast season, Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott set records for rushing yards by a quarterback (986), total offense (4,435), total offense yards per game (341.2), touchdowns responsible for (41), passing attempts (396), passing completions (244), completion percentage (61.6), passing yards (3,449), passing yards per game (265.3), 200-yard passing games (12), passing touchdowns (27), and passing efficiency (151.7).

Dispatch File PhotoMississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott hopes to be the center of attention again this season. The senior has earned a spot on six preseason watch lists in the preseason. He is up for the Maxwell Award (national player of the year), the Wuerffel Trophy (community service), the Davey O’Brien Award (top quarterback), the Walter Camp Award (most outstanding player), the Manning Award (top quarterback with bowl stats included), and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (top quarterback based on character).

BY BEN [email protected]

STARKVILLE — Dak Prescott is the first player people think about when they talk about the Missis-sippi State football team.

The senior quarter-back took the country by storm last season and led the Bulldogs’ rise to No. 1 in the nation. As a junior, the Haughton, Louisiana, native broke 12 single-sea-son school records en route to an eighth-place finish in the Heisman Tro-phy voting, which was the highest in school history. The Heisman Trophy goes to the top player in college football.

This season, Prescott is poised for even bigger things. But with the NFL draft in his sights next April, he isn’t worried about personal accom-plishments.

“I want to win every game this year,” Prescott said. “I do not care if I break any records. That is not what I care about. I just want to put my team in the best situation to win. If I can do that and break records, I am excited to do it.”

Last season, Prescott set records for rush-ing yards by a quarter-back (986), total offense (4,435), total offense yards per game (341.2), touchdowns responsible for (41), passing attempts (396), passing comple-tions (244), completion percentage (61.6), pass-ing yards (3,449), passing yards per game (265.3), 200-yard passing games (12), passing touchdowns (27), and passing efficien-cy (151.7).

Prescott has broken five career records, includ-ing touchdowns responsi-

pReScott SetS SightS higheR

ble for (72), total offense (7,156), completion per-centage (60.1), 200-yard passing games (17), and interception percentage (.0260).

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound right-hander has accomplished all of that after splitting snaps with Tyler Russell in 2012 and 2013. He entered his junior campaign with a lot of anticipation surround-ing him. Prescott threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another 78 yards and two more scores in a 44-7 victory against Rice in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl to end the 2013 season.

Last season, Prescott took off. He was a finalist

for the Maxwell, the Dav-ey O’Brien, Manning, and the Johnny Unitas Gold-en Arm awards. He also won the Conerly Trophy, which is given annually to the best college foot-ball player in the state of Mississippi, was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference pick by the media and the coaches, and an honorable men-tion All-American (Sports Illustrated).

Despite all of the ac-colades, Prescott’s team-mates haven’t noticed a big difference in their leader.

“Dak is real humble,” junior wide receiver Fred Ross said. “He puts the

Senior QB not worried about records, focused on leading MSU to wins

See PRESCOTT, 16

Page 5: 2015 College Football Preview

at outside linebacker).Filling the shoes left behind from the

likes of McKinney doesn’t bother Brown.“Some people would look at it like

pressure, but I don’t,” Brown said. “I just come in every day and do the same things I did last year. I just want to be a more vocal leader than I was last year.”

“beniquez has picked up right where he left off. His understanding of the game has slowed the pace of the game down compared to what it is for other guys.”

Mississippi State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz

BY BEN [email protected]

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team has seen some talent-ed linebackers pass through the program the past few years.

Jamar Chaney, K.J. Wright, Chris White, Benardrick McKinney, and Matt

Wells were selected in the NFL draft in the past five years. McKinney and Wells most recently left a solid mark on the pro-gram with four strong seasons. That list doesn’t include Cam Lawrence and Deontae Skinner, who were solid college players

and signed NFL free-agent contracts.Who will be the next standout at

linebacker for MSU? Many expect ju-nior Beniquez Brown to be that player. Brown, a 6-foot-1, 238-pound junior from Florence, Alabama, has 101 tackles (11.5 for loss), two sacks, and two intercep-tions with the Bulldogs. He was second on the team with 62 tackles a season ago, and played in all 13 games (12 starts

The DispaTch • www.cdispatch.comcollege football preview Sunday, auguSt 16, 2015 5

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mississippi state bulldogsAthletic Website: www.hailstate.com; Twitter: @HailStateFB

Mark Wilson/Dispatch StaffMississippi State linebacker Beniquez Brown was second on the team with 62 tackles a season ago, and played in all 13 games (12 starts at outside linebacker).

Brown

BRown hopeS to MaKe MaRKJunior wants to follow example left by MSU’s former standouts at LB

Page 6: 2015 College Football Preview

Sept. 5 — at Southern Mississippi (3-9)All-time record: USM 14-13-1Last Season: MSU, 49-0n The Bulldogs and Golden Eagles met last season for

the first time since 1990. MSU had an easy time in the season opener for both teams. The Golden Eagles should be better this season, but the result should be about the same. The only thing in USM’s favor is the game will be in Hattiesburg.

USM returns 10 starters on offense, including quarterback Nick Mullens. The Hoover, Alabama, native threw for 2,470 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

The Golden Eagles return five starters on defense, includ-ing former Noxubee County High School standout Dylan Brad-ley, a junior.

The Bulldogs have won the past three meetings, including the last meeting in Hattiesburg in 1989.

Sept. 12 — LSU (8-5)All-time record: LSU 71-34-3Last season: MSU, 34-29n The Bulldogs’ victory in 2014 was their first in Baton

Rouge, Louisiana, since 1991.MSU took control of the game early, but it had to hold

on in the fourth quarter, as LSU rallied. Will Redmond had a game-sealing interception on the game’s final play.

This season’s matchup will be the first Southeastern Con-ference game for each team.

The Tigers have questions at quarterback, but sophomore running back Leonard Fournette is poised for a big year. He led the team with 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman last season.

Sept. 19 — Northwestern State (6-6)All-time record: MSU 2-0Last meeting: MSU, 27-0 (1946)n The Bulldogs come off their first SEC game to face the

Southland Conference-member Demons. In 2014, Northwest-ern State went 6-6 for the second-straight season, the first time since 2003-04 it didn’t finish with a sub-.500 mark in a two-year span.

The Demons will replace quarterback Zach Adkins from last season. He passed for 2,821 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Junior Daniel Hazlewood threw only four passes for 31 yards last season.

Northwestern State also will have to find a new running back, as Garrett Atzenweiler is no longer on the team. He rushed for 739 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2014.

MSU has earned shutouts in the previous meetings in 1945 and 1946.

Sept. 26 — at Auburn (8-5)All-time record: Auburn 61-25-2Last season: MSU, 38-23n The Bulldogs and Tigers met last season on a day

ESPN’s College GameDay made its first trip to Starkville.The Bulldogs took a 21-0 lead and made plays down the stretch

to stay unbeaten. The next week, the Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 in the USA Today Coaches and The Associated Press polls.

The Tigers have won the past three meetings in Auburn, Ala-bama. The Bulldogs beat the Tigers in Auburn in 2007.

Auburn received 108 first-place votes at SEC Media Days, but was second to Alabama in the preseason voting to pick a champion for the SEC West. Auburn received 96 points, the most of any school in voting to pick a SEC champion.

Junior Jeremy Johnson will take over at quarterback. He played in seven games last season and threw for 436 yards and three touchdowns.

The Tigers have one of the best wide receivers in the country. Senior D’haquille Williams, who played at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, led Auburn with 45 catches and five touch-downs last season. He was second to Sammy Coates (741 yards) with 730 receiving yards.

Oct. 3 — at Texas A&M (8-5)All-time record: Tied 4-4Last season: MSU, 48-31n The Bulldogs and the Aggies have played some high-scoring

games the past three years.Texas A&M won 51-41 in 2013 and 38-13 in 2012. The most

famous game is the 2000 Independence Bowl, when the Bulldogs won 43-41 in overtime. It’s affectionally known as the Snow Bowl.

The Aggies are 2-1 when the teams play as conference oppo-nents. MSU has played twice in College Station, Texas. It won the 1913 meeting 6-0.

Oct. 10 — Troy (3-9)All-time record: MSU 3-1Last meeting: MSU, 62-7 (2013)n The Bulldogs open a three-game homestand with a

non-conference opponent that is familiar to MSU coach Dan Mullen. The Bulldogs’ seventh-year coach is 2-0 against the Trojans.

Troy won the first meeting 21-9 in 2001 in Starkville, but since then, MSU has reeled off three-straight victories.

The Trojans return their top passer and rusher from a season ago. Brandon Silvers will be back at quarterback. He threw for 1,836 yards and 11 touchdowns as a freshman. Brandon Burks rushed for 584 yards and three touchdowns as a junior.

The DispaTch • www.cdispatch.com6 Sunday, auguSt 16, 2015 college football preview

City Station FrequencyAberdeen WWZQ* 1240 AMAmory WAMY* 1580 AMBatesville WBLE* 100.5 FMBiloxi/Gulfport WBUV# 104.9 FMBude/Brookhaven WMJU-FM* 104.3 FMClarksdale WROX* 1450 AMClarksdale WROX* 96.1 FMColumbia WCJU* 104.9 FMCorinth WKCU* 1350 AMFrench Camp WFCA* 107.9 FMGreenville WDMS* 100.7 FMGreenwood/Indianola WTCD* 96.9 FMGrenada WOHT* 92.3 FMHattiesburg WMXI* 98.1 FMJackson WRKS* 105.9 FMLucedale WRBE* 106.9 FMMemphis, Tenn. KQPN* 730 AMMeridian WMOX* 1010 AMMonticello WRQO* 102.1 FMNatchez WWUU-FM*/WNAT-AM 103.9/1450Philadelphia WWSL* 102.3 FMStarkville/West Point WKBB* 100.9 FMTupelo WXWX* 96.3 FMTylertown WTYL* 97.7 FMVicksburg WVBG* 105.5 FMWaynesboro WABO 105.5 FMWinona WONA* 95.1 FMYazoo City WBYP*/WELZ 107.1 FM/1460 AM

# — Broadcasts on WBUV-FM in Biloxi/Gulfport that conflict with Ole Miss games will be aired on WQYZ-FM (92.5)* — Station will carry Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen’s weekly call-in show, DawgTalk, from 7-8 p.m. Thursdays from Sept. 3 to Nov. 26. Fans can call into the show by dialing 866-998-4893.

Radio affiliates MSU OPPSCORING 480 282 Points Per Game 36.9 21.7 Points Off Turnovers 84 82 FIRST DOWNS 334 268 Rushing 160 115 Passing 159 143 Penalty 15 10 RUSHING YARDAGE 3030 1970 Yards gained rushing 3303 2291 Yards lost rushing 273 321 Rushing Attempts 578 472 Average Per Rush 5.2 4.2 Average Per Game 233.1 151.5 TDs Rushing 29 17 PASSING YARDAGE 3649 3547 Comp-Att-Int 261-423-12 264-505-16 Average Per Pass 8.6 7.0 Average Per Catch 14.0 13.4 Average Per Game 280.7 272.8 TDs Passing 31 17 TOTAL OFFENSE 6679 5517 Total Plays 1001 977 Average Per Play 6.7 5.6 Average Per Game 513.8 424.4 KICK RETURNS: #-Yards 27-538 58-1038 PUNT RETURNS: #-Yards 25-149 14-101 INT RETURNS: #-Yards 16-186 12-36 KICK RETURN AVERAGE 19.9 17.9 PUNT RETURN AVERAGE 6.0 7.2 INT RETURN AVERAGE 11.6 3.0 FUMBLES-LOST 21-11 17-7 PENALTIES-Yards 67-513 57-476 Average Per Game 39.5 36.6 PUNTS-Yards 60-2574 88-3574 Average Per Punt 42.9 40.6 Net punt average 39.5 38.2 KICKOFFS-Yards 86-5295 57-3476 Average Per Kick 61.6 61.0 Net kick average 41.9 39.3 TIME OF POSSESSION/Game 29:37 30:21 3RD-DOWN Conversions 91/196 72/205 3rd-Down Pct 46% 35% 4TH-DOWN Conversions 9/21 9/22 4th-Down Pct 43% 41% SACKS BY-Yards 37-225 23-148 MISC YARDS 87 0 TOUCHDOWNS SCORED 64 35 FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS 12-16 13-20 ON-SIDE KICKS 0-2 1-4 RED-ZONE SCORES (50-61) 82% (28-44) 64% RED-ZONE TDS (39-61) 64% (19-44) 43% PAT-ATTEMPTS (60-64) 94% (31-32) 97% ATTENDANCE 427892 369120 Games/Avg Per Game 7/61127 5/73824 Neutral Site Games 1/58211

2014 statistiCs

n Points Manny Diaz’s defense allowed when he was at MSU in 2010. That was good for 22nd in the nation.

bY tHe NumbeRs

19.9 2 0n Game-clinching interceptions Will Redmond had last season (LSU and Arkansas).

n Field goals the returning kickers made last season. Evan Sobiesk made 12 of 14 tries.

— Ben Wait

QuarterbacksLeader: Dak Prescottn Prescott started every game last season and broke 12

single-season school records en route to an eighth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting, the highest finish in school his-tory. The Heisman Trophy is given annually to the nation’s top college football player.

Breakout candidate: Prescottn It’s his last season, and he hopes to play in the NFL, so

he will be poised to take his game to the next level.Freshman to watch: Nick Fitzgeraldn The redshirt freshman, who enrolled in school early, has

gone through two springs at MSU. He hasn’t played in a game, but all signs point to him being the backup.

Best-case scenario: Prescott stays healthy and builds off last season.

Running BacksLeader: Ashton Shumpertn The 6-foot-2, 218-pound junior from Fulton has the most

experience of anyone at the position. He has rushed for 464 yards and five touchdowns in his career.

Breakout candidate: Dontavian Leen The redshirt freshman is 6-1 and weighs 227 pounds. He

had a good spring and many like his chances this fall.Freshman to watch: Aeris Williamsn Along with Lee, Williams is another redshirt freshman

who could have a big impact. The former West Point High School standout also had a good spring and will get a chance to be in the mix.

Best-case scenario: The Bulldogs use all three and keep their legs fresh for a stretch run.

Wide Receivers Leader: De’Runnya Wilsonn Wilson led the Bulldogs with 47 catches for 680 yards

and nine touchdowns last season. Since Wilson will be eligible for the NFL draft after this season, he more than likely will be playing his last season at MSU.

Breakout candidate: Fred Rossn The junior has been in a backup role the past two sea-

sons, but he will be a starter this year. He worked hard with Prescott in the offseason to get his timing down. Ross, who had 30 catches for 489 yards and five touchdowns in 2014, could help take pressure off Wilson.

Newcomer to watch: Donald Grayn The junior college transfer has three years of eligibility

remaining. He went through spring and has some of the best hands on the team. He was an All-American at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson last season.

Best-case scenario: The Bulldogs utilize their depth and Wilson and Ross have major years.

Offensive LineLeader: Justin Malonen The senior left guard has the most returning starts (16).

He missed most of the 2013 season after an injury, but he bounced back nicely last season.

Breakout candidate: Jamaal Claybornn The junior is expected to be the starting center. He

played in seven games as a freshman, but he played in only four games last season.

Newcomer to watch: Martinas Rankinn The former Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. standout was the

top junior college offensive lineman in America in 2015. He is listed at right tackle.

Best-case scenario: The inexperienced Bulldogs get a lot of repetitions early in the season and come together to form a solid unit in front of Prescott.

Tight EndLeader: Gus Walleyn Walley is the most experienced player at the posi-

tion after MSU lost captain Malcolm Johnson. Walley, a 6-4, 242-pound junior, has four catches for 49 yards and one touch-down in his career.

Breakout candidate: Darrion Hutchersonn The senior appeared in all 13 games last season, but

he didn’t have any catches. At 6-7, 260 pounds, he has the size to be a force.

Freshman to watch: Farrod Greenn The Wesson native might see some playing time this

season to give MSU another option.Best-case scenario: Walley and Hutcherson come into

their own and give Prescott another weapon in the passing game.

Defensive LineLeader: Chris Jonesn The junior will be a force at defensive tackle this season.

He and senior defensive back Will Redmond were preseason second-team All-SEC picks in July. Earlier this month, both players were named National Defensive Player of the Year candidates thanks to their inclusion on the watch lists for the Bednarik Award and the Nagurski Trophy.

Breakout candidate: Ryan Brownn The senior defensive end is MSU’s top returning pass

rusher. He has the length at 6-6 to disrupt SEC backfields.Freshman to watch: Braxton Hoyett

mississippi state bulldogsAthletic Website: www.hailstate.com; Twitter: @HailStateFB

positioN bReaKdoWN

sCHedule bReaKdoWNNOTE: Teams’ 2014 records in parentheses.

See POSITION, 15

See SCHEDULE, 15

Page 7: 2015 College Football Preview

EMCC also will be gunning for the nation’s all-time longest winning streak in junior college football. Blinn (Texas) College owns the nation-al record with 26 straight wins from 1995-97.

“This team is highly motivated,” said EMCC sophomore running back D.J. Law, a Florida native. “We know what kind of history we are trying to make. Everybody wants to win every time they play. However, we can take a lot of pride in the win streak. We know we are always going to get the other team’s best shot. To be able to survive that week in and week out is a testa-ment to our character and our will to win.

“People expect champi-onships around here. You aren’t going to be brought here to play unless you are good enough to help us win championships. That makes what we are trying to do very exciting.”

Law follows in the long line of standout running backs at EMCC. Former Starkville High standout Preston Baker, who car-ried the rushing load a year ago, has moved on to Tennessee-Martin. As a freshman, Law ran for 561 yards and five touch-downs. His value to the team was underscored by his dominance in the kick return game.

“D.J. is such a valuable player because he can as-sist us in so many ways,” EMCC offensive coordi-nator Marcus Wood said. “He is a special athlete with a real knack for the game. He doesn’t think there is anybody who can

The DispaTch • www.cdispatch.comcollege football preview Sunday, auguSt 16, 2015 7

east mississippi community college lionsAthletic Website: www.emccathletics.com; Radio: WFCA-FM 108; Twitter: @emccathletics; Instagram: @EMCCAthletics; You Tube: www.youtube.com/EMCCAthletics

2015 ScheduleAug. 27 SOUTHWESTSept. 3 At Copiah-LincolnSept. 10 COAHOMASept. 17 At NortheastSept. 26 ITAWAMBAOct. 1 At JonesOct. 8 At HolmesOct. 15 NORTHWESTOct. 22 At Miss. DeltaHOME GAMES IN CAPS

2014 ResultsAug. 28 W, 52-14 At Southwest CC Sept. 4 W, 46-10 CO-LINCOLN CC Sept. 11 W, 83-7 At Coahoma CC Sept. 18 W, 65-7 NORTHEAST CC Sept. 25 W, 51-0 At Itawamba CC Oct. 4 W, 55-0 JONES JC (HC) Oct. 9 W, 49-0 HOLMES CC Oct. 16 W, 49-0 At Northwest CC Oct. 23 W, 65-0 MISS. DELTA CC Nov. 1 W, 42-21 GULF COAST CCNov. 8 W, 54-15 At Co-Lincoln CCDec. 7 W, 34-17 Vs. Iowa West. CCHOME GAMES IN CAPS

coaching staff

EMCC NationalGames 12 1Scoring 645 2Points per game 53.8 4Total offense 6445 2Yards per game 537.1 5Passing yards 4381 1Comp-Att-Int 342-506-8 1 Passing yards per game 365.1 2Passing yards per attempt 8.7 8Passing yards per completion 12.8 32Passing touchdowns 52 1Rushing yards 2064 12Rushing attempts 366 34Rushing yards per game 172.0 25Yards per rush 5.6 8Rushing touchdowns 27 101st downs 314 3Rushing 1st downs 115 7Passing 1st downs 179 2Penalty 1st downs 20 311st downs per game 26.2 53rd-down conversions 74-144 73rd down % 51% 104th-down conversions 11-18 164th down % 61% 12Kick returns (No.-Yards) 25-571 45Kick return average 22.8 12Punt returns (No.-Yards) 24-313 9Punt return average 13.0 15Field goals 5-6 29Field goal % 83.3% 7PATs 78-85 2PAT % 91.8% 22Punts (No.-Yards) 41-1452 48Average per punt 35.4 34Red zone scores 13-16 12Red zone touchdowns 12-16 9Fumbles-lost 6-4 55Fumbles recovered 15 6Defensive INTs 21 3Interception returns (No.-Yds) 21-547 1Interception return average 26.0 6

2014 statistics

Head CoachBuddy Stephens

n Clifton Collins — Defensive backsn Davern Williams — Defensive Linen Clint Trickett — Quarterbacksn Jordan Lesley — Defensive Coordinator / Linebackersn Marcus Wood — Offensive Coordinator / Wide receiversn Cade Wilkerson — Recruiting Coordinator

See EMCC, 15

By Scott [email protected]

SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College plays its best foot-ball when challenged.

Though it has been rarely been put to the test in the past 24 months, EMCC begins another season favored to finish on the top of the heap in the National Junior Col-lege Athletic Association (NJCAA).

EMCC has won its past 24 games and has repeat-ed as back-to-back NJ-CAA national champions. Overall, EMCC has won 36 of its past 38 games and garnered three of the past four national titles.

“It is all about champi-onships here,” said EMCC freshman defensive back Alex Lipscomb, a former standout at Columbus High School. “We do ev-erything until we do it perfectly. There is nothing more disheartening than when you reach the end of a set of drills and you have to go back and start the reps all over again because somebody messed up.

“That is the expecta-tion here, though. You go all out. You go until you find perfection. That is why this program has had this kind of success.”

When it comes to win-ning championships, EMCC has the market cornered.

Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. is the only other Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College (MACJC) mem-ber with three national championships. No team has won three-straight na-tional titles.

Mitch Deaver/East Mississippi Community College Athletic Media RelationsTOP: The top-ranked East Mississippi Community College football team celebrates its 34-17 victory against second-ranked Iowa Western in the National Junior College Athletic Association national title game in Biloxi last season. BELOW (from left): EMCC football coach Buddy Stephens, NJCAA President Bryce Roderick, and EMCC President Dr. Rick Young pose for a picture with the national championship trophy.

EMCC WILL TRY TO MAKE HISTORYStephens’ Lions will try to overcome key graduation losses as they pursue record third-straight national title

East Mississippi Community College sophomore running back DJ Law will be one of the team’s most experienced returning players on offense this season. Law, who is from Haines City, Florida, was second on the team in rushing to former Starkville High School standout Preston Baker with 561 yards and five touchdowns.

Dispatch File Photo

Page 8: 2015 College Football Preview

12249 Hwy. 182 | Starkville, MS 39759 | 662-323-1900www.StarkvilleFordSales.com

Starkville“WHEN EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS”

Sept. 5 vs. Wisconsin (Arlington, TX)Sept. 12 MIDDLE TENN. STATESept. 19 OLE MISSSept. 26 LOUISIANA-MONROEOct. 3 At GeorgiaOct. 10 ARKANSASOct. 17 At Texas A&MOct. 24 TENNESSEENov. 7 LSUNov. 14 At Mississippi StateNov. 28 At Auburn

SOUTHERN MISS.Sept. 5 MISSISSIPPI STATESept. 12 AUSTIN PEAY Sept. 19 Texas StateSept. 26 NebraskaOct. 3 NORTH TEXASOct. 9 Marshall Oct. 17 UTSAOct. 24 CharlotteOct. 31 UTEPNov. 14 RiceNov. 21 OLD DOMINIONNov. 28 Louisiana Tech

Sept. 5 At Southern Miss.Sept. 12 LSUSept. 19 NORTHWESTERN STATESept. 26 At AuburnOct. 3 At Texas A&MOct. 10 TROYOct. 17 LOUISIANA TECHOct. 24 KENTUCKYNov. 5 At MissouriNov. 15 ALABAMANov. 21 At ArkansasNov. 28 OLE MISS

Sept. 5 UT MARTINSept. 12 FRESNO STATESept. 19 At AlabamaSept. 26 VANDERBILTOct. 3 At FloridaOct. 10 NEW MEXICO STATEOct. 17 At MemphisOct. 24 TEXAS A&MOct. 31 At AuburnNov. 7 ARKANSASNov. 21 LSUNov. 28 At Mississippi State

III. LOCATIONS

IV. STUDENT AFFAIRS/SERVICES

V. ATHLETICS

VI. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

VII. 501c3 FOUNDATIONSA LUM NI

FOU N DAT I O N

A T H LET IC F OU N DAT I O N

R ESEAR CH F OU N DAT I O N

NEW HOPEAug. 21 at LouisvilleAug. 28 hosts AberdeenSept. 4 at ColumbusSept. 11 OPEN DATESept. 18 hosts CaledoniaSept. 25 at **ClarksdaleOct. 2 hosts **Center HillOct. 9 at **Lake CormorantOct. 16 hosts **OxfordOct. 23 at **LewisburgOct. 30 hosts **West PointNov. 6 at **Saltillo

HAMILTONAug, 21 hosts South PontotocAug. 28 hosts East UnionSept. 4 at HatleySept. 11 OPEN DATESept. 18 at **CoffeevilleSept. 25 hosts **ThrasherOct. 2 at **BiggersvilleOct. 9 hosts **ColdwaterOct. 16 at **FalknerOct. 23 hosts **West LowndesOct. 30 at **SmithvilleNov. 6 hosts **Vardaman

CENTRAL ACADEMYAug. 21 at Park Place ChristianAug. 28 hosts North Sunflower Aca.Sept. 4 at Sharkey-IssaquenaSept. 11 hosts **Hebron ChristianSept. 18 at Unity Christian Aca.Sept. 25 OPEN DATEOct. 2 at Calvary ChristianOct. 9 hosts Delta AcademyOct. 16 hosts **Kemper AcademyOct. 23 at **Calhoun AcademyOct. 30 hosts **Strider Academy

CALEDONIAAug. 21 at ShannonAug. 28 hosts MoorevilleSept. 4 OPEN DATESept. 11 hosts OkolonaSept. 18 at New HopeSept. 25 at Tishomingo CountyOct. 2 at **HoustonOct. 9 hosts **LouisvilleOct. 16 hosts **KosciuskoOct. 23 at **Noxubee CountyOct. 30 hosts **Leake Central

COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Aug. 21 at Heritage AcademyAug. 28 hosts Sylva-Bay AcademySept. 4 hosts Kirk AcademySept. 11 at Tupelo Christian PrepSept. 18 at **Winona ChristianSept. 25 hosts **Carroll AcademyOct. 2 at **Oak Hill AcademyOct. 9 at Newton County AcademyOct. 16 hosts **Deer CreekOct. 23 hosts Wayne Academy

HERITAGE ACADEMYAug. 21 hosts Columbus Christian Aca.Aug. 28 at Lamar SchoolSept. 4 hosts Oak Hill AcademySept. 11 at Lee AcademySept. 18 at PisgahSept. 25 hosts **Winston AcademyOct. 2 at West LowndesOct. 9 hosts **Starkville AcademyOct. 16 hosts Indianola AcademyOct. 23 at **Leake Academy

EMCCAug. 27 SOUTHWESTSept. 3 At Copiah-LincolnSept. 10 COAHOMASept. 17 At NortheastSept. 26 ITAWAMBAOct. 1 At JonesOct. 8 At HolmesOct. 15 NORTHWESTOct. 22 At Miss. Delta

Aug. 27 COPIAH-LINCOLNSept. 3 JONESSept. 10 At HolmesSept. 17 NORTHWESTSept. 26 At East Miss.Oct. 3 COAHOMAOct. 8 At NortheastOct. 15 MISS. DELTAOct. 24 At Gulf Coast

Aug. 21 hosts CorinthAug. 28 at New HopeSept. 4 at AmorySept. 11 hosts Calhoun CitySept. 18 at Itawamba AHSSept. 25 hosts ShannonOct. 2 at **MoorevilleOct. 9 hosts **HatleyOct. 16 hosts **South PontotocOct. 23 at **North PontotocOct. 30 hosts **Nettleton

ABERDEEN Aug. 21 hosts Kemper CountyAug. 28 at Noxubee CountySept. 4 hosts New HopeSept. 11 at West PointSept. 18 OPEN DATESept. 25 hosts **DeSoto CentralOct. 2 at **TupeloOct. 9 hosts **Horn LakeOct. 16 at **SouthavenOct. 23 hosts **Olive BranchOct. 30 at **South PanolaNov. 6 at **Hernando

COLUMBUS

Aug. 21 hosts Sharkey-Issaquena Aca.Aug. 28 at Delta Streets AcademySept. 4 hosts **Strider AcademySept. 11 at **Central AcademySept. 18 at Delta AcademySept. 25 hosts Park Place ChristianOct. 2 OPEN DATEOct. 9 hosts Marvell AcademyOct. 16 hosts **Calhoun AcademyOct. 23 at Calvary ChristianOct. 30 at **Kemper Academy

HEBRON CHRISTIAN

Aug. 21 hosts StarkvilleAug. 28 hosts ColumbusSept. 4 at AledoSept. 11 at MeridianSept. 18 hosts West PointSept. 25 at Kemper CountyOct. 2 hosts **KosciuskoOct. 9 at **Leake CentralOct. 16 hosts **LouisvilleOct. 23 hosts **CaledoniaOct. 30 at **Houston

NOXUBEE COUNTY

Aug. 21 hosts Marshall AcademyAug. 28 hosts West LowndesSept. 4 at Magnolia HeightsSept. 11 at Lamar SchoolSept. 18 hosts Pillow AcademySept. 25 hosts Washington SchoolOct. 2 at French Camp AcademyOct. 9 at **Heritage AcademyOct. 16 hosts **Leake AcademyOct. 23 at **Winston Academy

Aug. 21 hosts Newton County AcademyAug. 28 hosts Tupelo Christian PrepSept. 4 at Heritage AcademySept. 11 at West Memphis ChristianSept. 18 at Marshall AcademySept. 25 hosts Leake AcademyOct. 2 hosts **Columbus Christian Aca.Oct. 9 hosts **Carroll AcademyOct. 16 at **Winona Christian Aca.Oct. 23 at **Deer Creek Academy

Aug. 21 at DurantAug. 28 at Starkville AcademySept. 4 hosts McAdamsSept. 11 hosts **BiggersvilleSept. 18 at **ColdwaterSept. 25 hosts **FalknerOct. 2 hosts Heritage AcademyOct. 9 at **SmithvilleOct. 16 hosts **VardamanOct. 23 at **HamiltonOct. 30 hosts **CoffeevilleNov. 6 at **Thrasher

WEST LOWNDES

Aug. 21 at Noxubee CountyAug. 28 hosts OxfordSept. 4 at West PointSept. 11 hosts KIPP CollegiateSept. 18 OPEN DATESept. 25 at **CallawayOct. 2 hosts **Northwest RankinOct. 9 at **GreenvilleOct. 16 hosts **Madison CentralOct. 23 at **MurrahOct. 30 at **Warren CentralNov. 6 hosts **Clinton

VICTORY CHRISTIAN

Aug. 28 At TabernacleSept. 4 NEW LIFE CHRISTIANSept. 11 CAHAWBA CHRISTIANSept. 18 At East MemorialSept. 25 NORTH RIVEROct. 2 MEADOWVIEW CHRISTIANOct. 9 OPENOct. 15 TUSCALOOSA CHRISTIANOct. 23 At Gunn Christian

STARKVILLE HIGH

Aug. 21 OPEN DATEAug. 28 at LouisvilleSept. 4 hosts StarkvilleSept. 11 hosts ColumbusSept. 18 at Noxubee CountySept. 25 at **OxfordOct. 2 hosts **ClarksdaleOct. 9 at **Center HillOct. 16 hosts **Lake CormorantOct. 23 hosts **SaltilloOct. 30 at **New HopeNov. 6 hosts **Lewisburg

WEST POINT

© Th

e Disp

atch

HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS.

Add a New Car To Your Lineup This Season!

The DispaTch • www.cdispatch.com8 SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Page 9: 2015 College Football Preview

Kincade and East Missis-sippi Community College transfer Chad Kelly.

“I don’t think there’s a fair sampling yet for any of the three,” Freeze said in July at Southeastern Conference Media Days. “That’s why I have not put — I will not put myself in a box on when that deci-sion will be made. I think all three have earned the right to compete for it.”

Buchanan and Kincade earned playing time last season, but former EMCC Lion Bo Wallace started all 13 games and led Ole Miss (9-4) to an appear-ance against TCU in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta. The Horned Frogs won 42-3.

Buchanan was 12 of 22 for 75 yards in 13 games. He threw one interception. Kin-cade played in eight games and was 16 of 20 for 127 yards and one touchdown.

BY BEN [email protected]

HOOVER, Ala. — The Ole Miss football team has plenty of experienced skill players.

Junior wide receiver Laquon Treadwell led the

team with 48 catch-es for 632 yards in nine games last season. He suffered a broken fib-ula and dis-located an-kle against Auburn on Nov. 1 that ended his sophomore c a mpa ig n . The Crete, Illinois, na-tive also had five touch-downs. Se-nior wide r e c e i v e r Cody Core and junior tight end Evan En-gram com-

bined for 79 catches, 1,220 yards, and eight touch-downs last season.

Senior running back Jaylen Walton rushed for 586 yards and five touch-downs. He also caught 19 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns.

The Rebels’ biggest concern on offense is who will be the team’s quarter-back for the season opener against Tennessee-Martin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, in Oxford.

Ole Miss fourth-year head coach Hugh Freeze will have to decide be-tween sophomores Ryan Buchanan and DeVante

The DispaTch • www.cdispatch.com Sunday, auguSt 16, 2015 9college football preview

OLE miss rEbELsAthletic Website: www.olemisssports.com; Twitter: @OleMissFB; Facebook: www.facebook.com/olemisssports; Blog: www.olemisssports.com/blog

2015 ScheduleSept. 5 UT MARTINSept. 12 FRESNO STATESept. 19 At AlabamaSept. 26 VANDERBILTOct. 3 At FloridaOct. 10 NEW MEXICO STATEOct. 17 At MemphisOct. 24 TEXAS A&MOct. 31 At AuburnNov. 7 ARKANSASNov. 21 LSUNov. 28 At Mississippi StateHOME GAMES IN CAPS

2014 ResultsAug. 28 W, 35-13 Vs. Boise St. (Atlanta)Sept. 6 W, 41-3 At VanderbiltSept. 13 W, 56-15 UL LAFAYETTESept. 27 W, 24-3 MEMPHISOct. 4 W, 23-17 ALABAMAOct. 11 W, 35-20 At Texas A&MOct. 18 W, 34-3 TENNESSEEOct. 25 L, 7-10 At LSUNov. 1 L, 31-35 AUBURNNov. 8 W, 48-0 PRESBYTERIANNov. 22 L, 0-30 At ArkansasNov. 29 W, 31-17 MISS. STATEDec. 31 L, 3-42 Vs. TCUHOME GAMES IN CAPS

COaChing staffHead CoachHugh Freeze

n Tom Allen — Special Teams Coordinator/ Linebackersn Maurice Harris — Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator For Offensen Grant Heard — Wide Receiversn Jason Jones — Co- Defensive Coordinator/ Cornerbacksn Chris Kiffin — Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator For Defensen Matt Luke — Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Linen Derrick Nix — Running Backsn Dan Werner — Co- Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacksn Dave Wommack — Defensive Coordinator/ Linebackersn Corey Batoon — Special Teams Coordinator/Safetiesn Barney Farrar — Assistant A.D./High School and Junior College Relationsn Paul Jackson — Head Strength and Conditioning Coachn Tom Luke — Assistant A.D./Player Developmentn John Miller — Assistant A.D./Football Operationsn Christian Robinson — Graduate Assistant, Defensen Chris Buttgen — Director of Football Median Ken Crain — Equipment Managern Pat Jernigan — Head Athletic Trainern Bruce Johnson — Coordinator of Recruiting Developmentn Davis Merritt — Graduate Assistant, Defensen Sean Patterson — Assistant Director of Recruiting Operationsn Lee Wilbanks — Coordinator of Recruiting Developmentn Robert Ratliff — Graduate Assistant, Offensen Will Reid — Assistant Coordinator of Video Servicesn Branden Wenzel — Assistant Recruiting Director

Buchanan

Kelly

Kincade

UM OPPSCORING 368 208 Points Per Game 28.3 16.0 Points Off Turnovers 110 87 FIRST DOWNS 265 239 Rushing 97 106 Passing 149 118 Penalty 19 15 RUSHING YARDAGE 2021 1780 Yards gained rushing 2358 2178 Yards lost rushing 337 398 Rushing Attempts 476 513 Average Per Rush 4.2 3.5 Average Per Game 155.5 136.9 TDs Rushing 21 9 PASSING YARDAGE 3427 2497 Comp-Att-Int 258-428-15 240-402-22 Average Per Pass 8.0 6.2 Average Per Catch 13.3 10.4 Average Per Game 263.6 192.1 TDs Passing 24 12 TOTAL OFFENSE 5448 4277 Total Plays 904 915 Average Per Play 6.0 4.7 Average Per Game 419.1 329.0 KICK RETURNS: #-Yards 32-629 42-893 PUNT RETURNS: #-Yards 22-140 19-66 INT RETURNS: #-Yards 22-371 15-190 KICK RETURN AVERAGE 19.7 21.3 PUNT RETURN AVERAGE 6.4 3.5 INT RETURN AVERAGE 16.9 12.7 FUMBLES-LOST 19-10 18-10 PENALTIES-Yards 69-549 78-696 Average Per Game 42.2 53.5 PUNTS-Yards 68-2943 89-3878 Average Per Punt 43.3 43.6 Net punt average 41.7 40.7 KICKOFFS-Yards 71-4402 48-2942 Average Per Kick 62.0 61.3 Net kick average 40.6 39.9 TIME OF POSS/Game 28:14 31:46 3RD-DOWN Conversions 72/183 65/197 3rd-Down Pct 39% 33% 4TH-DOWN Conversions 9/20 8/15 4th-Down Pct 45% 53% SACKS BY-Yards 28-216 31-171 MISC YARDS -24 0 TOUCHDOWNS SCORED 49 24 FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS 9-16 13-19 ON-SIDE KICKS 0-0 0-1 RED-ZONE SCORES (29-41) 71% (25-34) 74% RED-ZONE TDS (23-41) 56% (14-34) 41% PAT-ATTEMPTS (47-49) 96% (23-23) 100% ATTENDANCE 430829 320724 Games/Avg Per Game 7/61547 4/80181

2014 statistiCs

City Station FrequencyAmory* WAFM-AM 1580 AMBrookhaven* WBKN-FM 92.1 FMColumbus* WNMQ-FM 103.1 FMCorinth* WXRZ-FM 94.3 FMGreenwood* WYMX-FM 99.1 FMHattiesburg* WFMM-FM 97.3 FMHazlehurst* WDXO-FM 92.9 FMJackson* WFMN-FM 97.3 FMLaurel* WLAU-FM 99.3 FMLexington, Tenn. WZLT-FM 99.3 FMLouisville* WLSM-FM 107.1 FMMcComb* WAZA-FM 107.7 FMMemphis, Tenn. WHBQ-AM* 560 AMMeridian WZKR-FM 103.3 FMNatchez* WKSO-FM 97.3 FMOcean Springs* WOSM-FM 103.1 FMOxford WQLJ-FM 93.7 FMOxford/WValley* WTNM-FM 105.5 FMPhiladelphia* WHOC-AM 1490 AMPrentiss* WJDR-FM 98.3 FMTupelo* WWMR-FM 102.9 FMVicksburg* WVBG-AM 1420 AMWater Valley WTNM-FM 105.5 FMWaynesboro WABO-AM 990 AMYazoo City* WBYP-FM 107.1 FMNationwide Satellite Sirius XMWorldwide OleMissSports.comMobile Ole Miss Sports Gameday app

* Carries RebTalk live at 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays

NOTE: “The Season: Ole Miss Football” will appear on the following television sta-tions: Fox Sports South (TBA), Cox Cable (TBA), WCBI-Columbus (10 p.m. Thursday), WMDN-Meridian & Hattiesburg (6 p.m. Thursday)

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See OFFENSE, 10

Dispatch File PhotoLaquon Treadwell breaks away from Memphis’ Fritz Etienne in Ole Miss’ 24-3 victory on Sept. 2, 2014, in Oxford. The junior wide receiver is expected to return after he suffered a broken fibula and a dislocated ankle at the end of the Auburn game and missed the rest of the season.

RebelS have plenty of optionS, even at Qbformer eMCC standout Kelly figures to compete with buchanan, Kincade for starting job

Ole Miss Athletic Media RelationsQuarterback Chad Kelly throws on the move in Ole Miss’ Grove Bowl on April 11. Kelly had a touchdown pass to lead the Blue team past the Red team 17-7.

Ole Miss Athletic Media RelationsSophomore quarterback Ryan Buchanan went 5-for-16 for 49 yards with an interception in the Grove Bowl.

Page 10: 2015 College Football Preview

BY BEN [email protected]

HOOVER, Ala. — C.J. Johnson knew what was expected of him at defen-sive line last season.

But the senior moved to linebacker in the

spring and is expected to face new r e s p o n s i -bilities and pressu res in his fifth season as a member of the Ole

Miss football program.With junior Robert

Nkemdiche, senior Issac Gross, senior Woodrow Hamilton, junior Fadol Brown, sophomore Mar-quis Haynes, junior college transfer D.J. Jones, and redshirt freshman Bree-land Speaks already on the defensive line and after the loss of linebackers Keith Lewis, Deterrian Shack-elford, and Serderius Bry-ant, Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze knew the Rebels had to make a move.

Freeze approached Johnson following a 42-3 loss to TCU in the Peach

Bowl to tell him the move was coming

“Coach Freeze said they were going to exper-iment with me at (line-

backer),” Johnson said. “I told him immediately that that would be something I want to do. I will do any-thing to help the team win

football games.”This isn’t Johnson’s

first experience at line-backer. He played the position at Philadelphia

High School, and had 149 tackles as a senior and 151 as a junior.

As a result, Johnson was one of the top lineback-

ers in the 2011 recruiting class, but the transition back hasn’t been seamless for Johnson.

“It’s been an adjust-ment at times,” he said.

Although Johnson has had to adjust to the new position, he said the spring was a big help, and that he feels good about the move as the season gets closer.

“I’m getting pretty comfortable,” Johnson said. “It’s just a matter of going out every day and making sure you’re getting the reps to be the best you can be and continue to grow and just don’t make the same mis-takes twice.”

Johnson won’t have to carry the defense. The Rebels have several tal-ented players, including senior Denzel Nkemdiche and junior Terry Caldwell (outside linebacker) and sophomore Demarquis Gates (middle lineback-er), set to help him.

Johnson also will go up against Ole Miss’ top skill position players ev-ery day in practice to get

“I said after spring, I thought Ryan was a little ahead of the other two, but the margin was so small it could be over-come,” Freeze said. “It may be two weeks into fall camp that it’s obvious, or it may be two games into the season before it’s made.”

Freeze said before preseason camp started that all three quarter-backs were going to take repetitions with the first string. He said Buchan-an would get more snaps than the other two, but many believe Kelly will be Ole Miss’ opening-day starter.

Kelly, the nephew of Pro Football Hall of Fame

member Jim Kelly, spent two seasons at Clemson (redshirt in 2012) before transferring to EMCC in Scooba. He helped lead the Lions to a sec-ond-straight National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championship. He threw for 3,906 yards and 47 touchdowns as the Lions finished the season unbeaten. He also rushed for 446 yards and four touchdowns for coach Buddy Stephens.

“Last year, we really didn’t have a consistent deep threat ball, and he has a really strong arm,” Engram said. “He knows how to throw deep balls. He knows how to look

for the pre-snap (reads), and he’s real big on mak-ing that big play. I think he can bring that aspect to the game this year.”

Kelly was arrest-ed in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, last December and charged with resisting arrest, menacing, and several other counts. He pled guilty to a non-crim-inal charge of disorderly conduct and agreed to 50 hours of community service. Teammates have seen a mature Kelly in the past eight months.

“He’s making good decisions,” Engram said. “He’s staying out of trou-

ble, staying away from possible things that could get him in trouble.”

Engram will be a focal point of the of-fense. Freeze said Engram is a diffi-cult matchup for defenses, and that

he likes the guidance he brings to the team, espe-cially to Kelly.

“He’s one of the guys that you look at and say, ‘Man, I wish we could model this young man as a

student-athlete, both in the classroom, on the field, in his personal life,’ ” Freeze said. “He’s just an out-standing leader that brings it every day.”

With the SEC West be-ing so tough, the Rebels can’t afford to fall behind at quarterback. Freeze has focused on that in the offseason to make sure it doesn’t happen early in the season.

“I really believe the SEC West has seven top-25 teams,” Freeze said. “I

think the team or teams that will emerge to be the top will be the teams whose defense is the most stingy in the red zone and whose quarterback plays the best. I don’t know that I can overstate the impor-tance of our quarterback situation, us finding the guy that can hopefully make us efficient.”

Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait

The DispaTch • www.cdispatch.com10 Sunday, auguSt 16, 2015 college football preview

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© The Dispatch

5809 Hwy. 45 N. Columbus, MS662-327-4233

OffenseContinued from Page 9

OLE miss rEbELsAthletic Website: www.olemisssports.com; Twitter: @OleMissFB; Facebook: www.facebook.com/olemisssports; Blog: www.olemisssports.com/blog

Ole Miss Athletic Media RelationsDeVante Kincade was 1-for-3 for 11 yards and had three rushes for 5 yards in Ole Miss’ 42-3 loss to TCU in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 31, 2014. Kincade is competing with Ryan Buchanan and Chad Kelly for the starting quarterback job this season.

Treadwell

JohnSon haS gRown CoMfoRtable with Move to linebaCKeR

Dispatch File Photo C.J. Johnson gives the sign for the Landshark in the Ole Miss football team’s 31-17 victory against Mississippi State in the Battle for the Golden Egg on Nov. 29, 2014, in Oxford. Johnson had six tackles (four solo) and a sack in the win.

Johnson

See JOhNSON, 13

Page 11: 2015 College Football Preview

From Special Reports

FULTON — The Itawamba Community College football team re-turns 26 sophomores, including four All-State performers, from a team that went 4-5 and tied for second in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges North Division last season.

ICC, which went 4-2 in the MACJC North in 2014, will look to MACJC All-State selections Grant Kimberlin, a wide receiv-er from Olive Branch; Le-various Varndao, a defen-sive back from Calhoun City; Ladarius Gallion, a defensive lineman from West Point; and Naquez Pringle, a defensive line-men from Georgetown, South Carolina; to lead

the way.“These guys have

picked up where they left off from spring practice,” said Sean Cannon, who is entering his second year as ICC’s coach. “We are going to rely heavily on our sophomores to help bring our freshmen up to speed in a hurry because on this level you don’t have a lot of time to sit back and watch.”

Other key returnees include quarterback Kwadra Griggs (Green-wood), defensive end Trev Miller (Noxapater), and defensive backs Quinn Tiggs (Tupelo) and Anto-nio Clifton (Tupelo).

“I have been real im-pressed with Kwadra throwing the ball in prac-tice,” Cannon said of the Southern Mississippi

commit. “Our defensive line has proven to be a bright spot with depth, and our defensive backs have made some big plays in camp and have shown a lot of leadership.”

ICC will look to du-al-sport freshman Zach Ellis (Tupelo) to replace NJCAA All-America kick-er Jeb Millender (Ponto-toc).

ICC will be tested ear-ly and often throughout the season. It will open the campaign Thursday, Aug. 27, at home against top-ranked Copiah-Lin-coln C.C. It also will play host to traditional power Jones County Junior Col-lege on Sept. 3 before go-ing on the road Sept. 10 to open North Division play against Holmes C.C.

Things won’t get eas-

ier for ICC when it plays host to nationally ranked Northwest Mississippi C.C. for Military Appre-ciation Night on Sept. 17. It will travel to Scooba to face nationally ranked and reigning national champion East Mississip-pi C.C. on Sept. 26 for the Lions’ homecoming.

ICC will play host to North Division foe Co-ahoma C.C. on Oct. 3 for Homecoming before traveling to Booneville to take on rival Northeast Mississippi C.C. It will close North Division play against Mississippi Delta C.C.

ICC will end the reg-ular season with the longest road trip in the league against nationally ranked Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C.

itawamba community coLLEGE inDianSAthletic Website: www.letsgoicc.com; Twitter: @LetsGoICC; Instagram: @LetsGoICC; Vine: @LetsGoICC; Facebook: LetsGoICC

Radio: WAFM 95.7 FM. Pregame show starts 20 minutes prior to game; TV: Online at www.LetsGoICC.com

2015 ScheduleAug. 27 COPIAH-LINCOLNSept. 3 JONESSept. 10 At HolmesSept. 17 NORTHWESTSept. 26 At East Miss.Oct. 3 COAHOMAOct. 8 At NortheastOct. 15 MISS. DELTAOct. 24 At Gulf CoastHOME GAMES IN CAPS

2014 ResultsAug. 28 L, 37-13 At Co-Lincoln CC Sept. 6 L, 35-14 At Jones JCSept. 11 W, 19-3 HOLMES CCSept. 20 L, 45-31 At Northwest CC Sept. 25 L, 51-0 EMCC Oct. 4 W, 47-14 At Coahoma CC Oct. 9 W, 38-19 NORTHEAST CC Oct. 18 W, 52-48 At Miss. Delta CC Oct. 25 L, 49-3 GuLF COAST CCHOME GAMES IN CAPS

coachinG StaffHead CoachSean Cannon

n Nick Coleman — Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks n Ray Williams — Defensive Linen Tyrone Fox — Defensive Backsn Cody Woodiel — Offensive Line

K. Higgins Hunt

S. Higgins Logan

LocaL fLaVoRn The 2015 Itawamba Community College football team will look to former Aberdeen High School standout Josh Williams and other former local standouts this season. In addition to Williams, Noxubee County High’s Eric Hunt, West Point High’s Kadarius Forside, Tyler Logan, and Ladarius Gallion, and Starkville High’s Keyon Higgins and Stanley Higgins will compete for playing time.

JucoWeekly.org; Lee Adams/ICCImages.comTOP: Itawamba Community College wide receiver D’Andre Belton (3) runs past a Mississippi Delta C.C. defender in a 52-48 road victory last season. MIDDLE:ICC wide receiver Grant Kimberlin (26) runs past a Northeast Mississippi C.C. defender in a 38-19 victory.

The DispaTch • www.cdispatch.comcollege football preview Sunday, auguSt 16, 2015 11

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JuCo ScheduleWEEK ONE

Thursday, Aug. 27Gulf Coast at Northeast, 6:30 p.m.Holmes at Hinds, 6:30 p.m.Mississippi Delta at East Central, 6:30 p.m.Copiah-Lincoln at Itawamba, 7 p.m.Pearl River at Coahoma, 7 p.m.Southwest at East Mississippi, 7 p.m.Saturday, August 29, 2015Northwest at Jones, 7 p.m.

WEEK TWOThursday, Sept. 3

Coahoma at East Central, 6:30 p.m.Gulf Coast at Northwest, 6:30 p.m.Northeast at Hinds, 6:30 p.m.East Mississippi at Copiah-Lincoln, 7 p.m.Jones at Itawamba, 7 p.m.Pearl River at Holmes, 7 p.m.Southwest at Mississippi Delta, 7 p.m.

WEEK THREE Thursday, Sept. 10

North – Northeast at Northwest, 6:30 p.m.North – Coahoma at East Mississippi, 7 p.m.North – Itawamba at Holmes, 7 p.m.South – East Central at Gulf Coast, 7 p.m.South – Hinds at Pearl River, 7 p.m.South – Jones at Southwest, 7 p.m.Copiah-Lincoln at Mississippi Delta, 7 p.m.

WEEK FOURThursday, Sept. 17

North – East Mississippi at Northeast, 6:30 p.m.North – Northwest at Itawamba, 7 p.m.South – Gulf Coast at Hinds, 6:30 p.m.South – Pearl River at Jones, 7 p.m.South – Southwest at Copiah-Lincoln, 7 p.m.East Central at Holmes, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 19North – Mississippi Delta at Coahoma, 3 p.m.

WEEK FIVEThursday, Sept. 24

North – Holmes at Mississippi Delta, 7 p.m.North – Northeast at Coahoma, 7 p.m.South – Copiah-Lincoln at East Central, 6:30 p.m.South – Jones at Gulf Coast, 7 p.m.South – Southwest at Pearl River, 7 p.m.Hinds at Northwest, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26North – Itawamba at East Mississippi, 2 p.m.

WEEK SIXThursday, Oct. 1

North – Mississippi Delta at Northeast, 7 p.m.South – Hinds at East Central, 6:30 p.m.South – Gulf Coast at Southwest, 7 p.m.East Mississippi at Jones, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 3North – Holmes at Northwest, 2 p.m.North – Coahoma at Itawamba, 3:30 p.m.South – Pearl River at Copiah-Lincoln, 2:30 p.m.

WEEK SEVENThursday, Oct. 8

North – Itawamba at Northeast, 6:30 p.m.North – East Mississippi at Holmes, 7 p.m.South – Copiah-Lincoln at Hinds, 6:30 p.m.South – Pearl River at Gulf Coast, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 10North – Northwest at Mississippi Delta, 2 p.m.South – East Central at Jones, 2 p.m.Coahoma at Southwest, 5 p.m.

WEEK EIGHTThursday, Oct. 15

North – Holmes at Coahoma, 7 p.m.North – Northwest at East Mississippi, 7 p.m.North – Mississippi Delta at Itawamba, 7 p.m.South – Gulf Coast at Copiah-Lincoln, 7 p.m.South – Jones at Hinds, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 17South – Southwest at East Central, 2:30 p.m.Northeast at Pearl River, 2 p.m.

WEEK NINEThursday, Oct. 22

North – Coahoma at Northwest, 6:30 p.m.North – East Mississippi at Mississippi Delta, 7 p.m.South – Copiah-Lincoln at Jones, 7 p.m.South – East Central at Pearl River, 7 p.m.South – Hinds at Southwest, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 24Itawamba at Gulf Coast, 3:30 p.m.North – Northeast at Holmes, 4 p.m.

JucoWeekly.orgItawamba Community College quarterback Kwadra Griggs scrambles during the Indians’ game against Jones County last season.

JucoWeekly.orgItawamba Community College quarterback Kwadra Griggs rolls out of the pocket during a game last season.

Page 12: 2015 College Football Preview

BY BEN [email protected]

HOOVER, Ala. — Alabama football coach Nick Saban brought in Lane Kiffin to lead his offense last season.

It turned out to be a good move.

The Crimson Tide av-eraged 36.9 points, 206.6

r u s h i n g yards, and 277.9 pass-ing yards per game en route to the South-e a s t e r n Conference Champion-ship and a spot in the i n a u g u r a l C o l l e g e F o o t b a l l Playoff.

K i f f i n arrived at Alabama af-ter having coached in the NFL with the J a c k s o n -ville Jag-uars (defen-sive quality control as-

sistant) and the Oakland Raiders (head coach) and at Tennessee (head coach) and Southern Cali-fornia (head coach).

Following a season in which Saban and Kif-fin had plenty of veteran playmakers, the Crimson Tide will have to replace their top passer (Blake Sims), their top three re-ceivers (Amari Cooper, DAndrew White, and Christion Jones), and their second-best running back (T.J. Yeldon).

“In college football,

you probably lose 25 per-cent of your team every year, which is what makes it great, makes it fun to re-build,” Saban said. “This year, especially on of-fense, we’re going to have a lot of new faces, and we have some talented play-ers. They don’t have a lot of experience, so how rapidly they develop is going to be a key to how well we come together on offense.”

Sims threw for 3,487 yards and 28 touchdowns, while Cooper had 124 catches for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns, all school records. Yeldon rushed for 979 yards and tied for the team-high with 11 touchdowns.

Sims and Florida State transfer Jake Coker split playing time early last season, but Sims earned most of the repetitions as the season wore on. Coker played in seven games and threw for 403 yards and four touchdowns.

Many expect Coker to be the starting quar-terback this season, but Saban said he didn’t have any idea as the team prepared for preseason camp.

“That’s going to be one of the keys to the drill in terms of somebody tak-ing the bull by the horns at that position, being assertive, playing with confidence, distributing the ball, and executing in a positive way, being a good decision-maker, and showing leadership at the same time,” Saban said. “I think we have sev-eral guys that are capable of it. I don’t think any-body’s come to the fore-front, and I don’t think it’s

alabama crimson tideAthletic Website: www.rolltide.com; Twitter: http://twitter.com/UA_Athletics

2015 ScheduleSept. 5 Vs. Wisconsin (Arlington, TX)Sept. 12 MIDDLE TENN. STATESept. 19 OLE MISSSept. 26 LOUISIANA- MONROEOct. 3 At GeorgiaOct. 10 ARKANSASOct. 17 At Texas A&MOct. 24 TENNESSEENov. 7 LSUNov. 14 At Mississippi StateNov. 28 At AuburnHOME GAMES IN CAPS

2014 ResultsAug. 30 W, 33-23 Vs. West Va. (Atlanta)Sept. 6 W, 41-0 FLORIDA ATLANTICSept. 13 W, 53-12 SO. MISSSept. 20 W, 42-21 FLORIDAOct. 4 L, 17-23 At Ole MissOct. 11 W, 14-13 At ArkansasOct. 18 W, 59-0 TEXAS A&MOct. 25 W, 34-20 At TennesseeNov. 8 W, 20-13 At LSUNov. 15 W, 25-20 MISS. STATENov. 22 W, 48-14 WESTERN CAROLINANov. 29 W, 55-44 AUBURNDec. 6 W, 42-13 Vs. Missouri

coaching staffHead CoachNick Saban

n Greg Brown — Secondary Coachn Burton Burns — Associate Head Coach /Running Backsn Mario Cristobal — Offensive Linen Bo Davis — Defensive Linen Lane Kiffin — Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacksn Tosh Lupol — Outside Linebackersn Billy Napier — Wide Receiversn Kirby Smart — Defensive Coordinator / Linebackersn Mel Tucker — Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Backsn Bobby Williams — Tight Ends / Special Teams Coordinatorn Scott Cochran — Director of Strength and Conditioningn Justin Dickens — Director of Football Operationsn Jody Wright — Director of Player Personnel

UA OPPSCORING 517 258 Points Per Game 36.9 18.4 Points Off Turnovers 77 67 FIRST DOWNS 340 234 Rushing 154 81 Passing 170 141 Penalty 16 12 RUSHING YARDAGE 2893 1433 Yards gained rushing 3161 1823 Yards lost rushing 268 390 Rushing Attempts 567 452 Average Per Rush 5.1 3.2 Average Per Game 206.6 102.4 TDs Rushing 35 5 PASSING YARDAGE 3890 3165 Comp-Att-Int 290-451-10 268-493-11 Average Per Pass 8.6 6.4 Average Per Catch 13.4 11.8 Average Per Game 277.9 226.1 TDs Passing 32 19 TOTAL OFFENSE 6783 4598 Total Plays 1018 945 Average Per Play 6.7 4.9 Average Per Game 484.5 328.4 KICK RETURNS: #-Yards 49-1006 60-1291 PUNT RETURNS: #-Yards 25-234 12-83 INT RETURNS: #-Yards 11-84 10-124 KICK RETURN AVERAGE 20.5 21.5 PUNT RETURN AVERAGE 9.4 6.9 INT RETURN AVERAGE 7.6 12.4 FUMBLES-LOST 18-12 20-9 PENALTIES-Yards 69-562 61-516 Average Per Game 40.1 36.9 PUNTS-Yards 55-2640 88-3790 Average Per Punt 48.0 43.1 Net punt average 44.7 38.4 KICKOFFS-Yards 93-5741 63-3685 Average Per Kick 61.7 58.5 Net kick average 40.3 37.8 TIME OF POSS/Game 31:45 27:41 3RD-DOWN Conversions 102/198 82/217 3rd-Down Pct 52% 38% 4TH-DOWN Conversions 10/13 7/18 4th-Down Pct 77% 39% SACKS BY-Yards 32-206 16-108 MISC YARDS 0 0 TOUCHDOWNS SCORED 68 27 FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS 14-22 23-25 ON-SIDE KICKS 0-1 0-0 RED-ZONE SCORES (55-64) 86% (37-44) 84% RED-ZONE TDs (45-64) 70% (17-44) 39% PAT-ATTEMPTS (63-65) 97% (23-25) 92% ATTENDANCE 785418 338939 Games/Avg Per Game 8/98177 4/84735 Neutral Site Games 2/72014 Neutral Site Games 3/82052

2014 statistics

City Station FrequencyAnniston WHMA 95.5Apalachicola, Fla. WFCT 105.5Arab WAFN 92.7Ashland WCKF 100.7Auburn WMXA 96.7Birmingham WJOX 690/94.5Brewton WKNU 106.3Centre WEIS 990/100.5Chattanooga, Tenn. WUUQ 97.3/99.3Clanton, Ala. WHPH 97.7Columbia, Tenn. WMRB 910Columbus, Ga. WIOL 1580/95.7Corinth, Miss. WADI 95.3Cullman WFMH 1340Decatur WWTM 1400Dothan WBBK 93.1Florence WYTK 93.9Fort Payne WFPA 1400Ft. Wltn. Beach, Fla. WTKE 98.1Gadsden WAAX 570Georgiana WFXX 107.7Haleyville WWWH 92.7Huntsville WUMP, WVNN 730, 92.5Jackson, Ala. WHOD-FM 94.5

Jackson, Miss. WJQS 1400Jasper WJLX 1240/101.5Lewisburg, Tenn. WAXO 1220Linden WINL 98.5McComb, Miss. WHNY 1250Meridian, Miss. WALT 910/102.1Mobile WZEW 92.1Monroeville WMFC 99.3Montgomery, Prattville, WDXX, WXFX, WLWI Selma (all 3 for these 3) 100.1, 95.1, 1440Nashville, Tenn. WPRT 102.5Opp WAMI 102.3Panama City, Fla. WBPC 95.1Pensacola, Fla. WBSR 1450Rome, Ga. WSRM 93.5Russellville WGOL 920Scottsboro WKEA, WWIC 98.3, 1050Spartanburg, S.C. WASC 1530Tallassee WTLS 1300/106.5Tupelo, Miss. WZLQ 98.5Tuscaloosa WFFN, WDGM, WTSK 95.3, 99.1, 790Vernon WJEC 106.5West Point, Ga. WCJM 100.9Winfield WKXM 1300/97.7

radio affiliates

Coker

Barnett

Cornwell

See OFFENSE, 13

Alabama Athletic Media RelationsJake Coker appeared in seven games last season as a backup for Blake Sims, and threw for 403 yards and four touchdown passes.

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n Alabama’s ranking in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll.

bY the nUmbers

3n Starters Alabama returns after last season’s 12-2 record.

12

9n Players Alabama has placed on 11 preseason watch lists. Senior linebacker Reggie Ragland and junior defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson received the most nominations, with four apiece.

12n Players Alabama had named to Southeastern Conference Media Days All-SEC Team. The list included six first-team members, two second-team honorees, and four third-team selections.

Saban will tRy to find Right option at Qbflorida State transfer Coker likely to be front-runner in five-man race to replace Sims

Alabama Athletic Media RelationsAlec Morris served as Alabama’s No. 3 quarterback last season. In 2014, he played in four games (Southern Mississippi, Florida, Texas A&M, and Western Carolina), but he didn’t attempt a pass. The junior from Allen, Texas, is expected to challenge for the quarterback job this season.

Page 13: 2015 College Football Preview

BY BEN [email protected]

HOOVER, Ala. — Nothing has been easy for Alabama run-ning back Kenyan Drake the past 10 months.

Drake suffered a broken left leg Oct. 4, 2014, when Alabama lost to Ole Miss in Oxford. The inju-ry ended his junior season and left him wondering if he would play foot-ball again.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder from Powder Springs, Georgia, said he is 100 percent as Alabama works through preseason camp in preparation for its season open-er against Wisconsin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, in Arlington, Texas. Drake said he is back at full strength thanks to the people who pushed him every day.

“It was definitely very dif-ficult,” Drake said. “It took a

lot eventually to overcome that because I was never injured to such an extent. We have the best coaching staff, the best rehab staff, the best players to help with that type of situation. They defi-nitely helped me get through the toughest time of my injury. Some-times when I didn’t feel like work-ing, they would push me.”

Prior to the injury, Drake was one of Alabama’s most explosive and versatile players. Through four games, he had five catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns and had rushed for 112 yards and four more scores.

But the promising start to the season ended on a third-and-8 conversion attempt in the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Drake caught a short pass from quarterback Blake Sims and looked toward the middle. He was ready to make a cut when two defenders hit him and put too much pressure on his foot. The gruesome sight brought tears to his eyes. As he

was being carted off the field, he had a million thoughts running through his mind.

“I had to really realize this wouldn’t be a two- or three-week injury,” Drake said. “It’s going to be a four- or five-month injury. I still kind of have aches and pains a little bit, but it’s all about your mind-set, and I’m ready to get back on the field with my team-mates.”

The injury might have set him back a year on the field, but it helped him gain perspective.

“The older you get, the more knowledge you’ll receive from older individuals who have been in similar situations,” Drake said, “especially in the situation where I’ve gotten hurt. I feel like there was nothing for me to do but grow physically and mentally. I’ve just being trying to continue to grow and improve as an individual on and off the field.”

Alabama hopes Drake can re-turn to form because it will have to replace several key skill play-

ers from last season.“I think Kenyan Drake has

tremendous diversity as a player,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “He has so many things he does well. He has great speed. He has very good running skills and run-ning instincts, but he’s a fantastic receiver.”

Lane Kiffin took over the of-fense last season and he imme-diately used Drake in a variety of options. Drake liked the new and different roles he played last season.

“I felt very comfortable,” Drake said. “I feel like I’m a very versatile player. Put me in a posi-tion to help the team in any way possible. Whether that’s me hav-ing the ball in my hand or not, I definitely accept those roles. I was very thankful for Kiffin put-ting the trust in me.”

Saban thinks Drake creates mismatches when he lines up at receiver and could be one of the team’s best wideouts, but he doesn’t want to use Drake exclu-

sively at wide receiver because his versatility sets him apart.

“I think this is one of the as-sets he’s going to possess mov-ing forward that’s going to make him a very, very effective player in the future for us, as well as probably being a really good professional player,” Saban said. “We need playmaker types like him, especially this year when we’ve lost so many players who were playmakers.”

Drake has worked hard to improve as a running back, wide receiver, and as a punt or kick returner. As a sophomore, he rushed for 694 yards and eight touchdowns and caught 12 pass-es for 135 yards. As a freshman, he rushed for 281 yards and five touchdowns.

“I try to give coaches the abil-ity to put myself in a position to really help my team in any way I can,” Drake said. “I try to pride myself on my ability to do so.”

Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait

him ready for the season opener against Tennes-see-Martin at 11 a.m. Sat-urday, Sept. 5, in Oxford.

“It’s good to play around talent and to have talent push you,” Johnson said. “When you have the qual-ity of talent, it also raises the level of play from the competitors and the guys who are out on the field. Because they have to com-pete at another higher lev-el than what they’ve been competing to beat out the guy behind them.”

In his first four years at Ole Miss, Johnson start-ed 29 games at defensive end and appeared in 41 games. He has 137 career tackles (24 for loss) and 11.5 sacks. Ankle surgery cut his 2013 campaign short.

Johnson plans to add to that total this season, even if switching positions has presented him with a new

set of circumstances. He plans to follow the lead of the defensive line and continue to be aggressive.

“(Middle lineback-er) requires a lot more patience, a lot more thought,” he said. “You have to read everything before the play even starts. I have learned to react instead of attack.”

In addition to learning to react to the football, Johnson said he is learn-ing how to balance that aggressiveness with pa-

tience at middle lineback-er. He feels he has a good understanding of the de-fense, and he is eager to show Freeze and the de-fensive coaches they made the right decision moving him to another position.

“I know he can run and tackle,” Freeze said. “I know he is smart and really understands the de-fense. It is a different role playing there.”

Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait

The DispaTch • www.cdispatch.com Sunday, auguSt 16, 2015 13college football preview

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Johnsoncontinued from Page 10

“(middle linebacker) requires a lot more patience, a lot more thought. You have to read everything before the play even starts. i have learned to react instead of attack.”

Ole Miss senior linebacker C.J. Johnson

alabama crimson tideAthletic Website: www.rolltide.com; Twitter: @UA_Athletics; Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlabamaAthletics

Drake

Alabama Athletic Media RelationsKenyan Drake, shown above against Florida Atlantic, had 22 carries for 112 yards and four touchdowns and five catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns in five games last season. He caught a 39-yard touchdown pass from Blake Sims and ran for a 3-yard touchdown against Florida Atlantic in a 41-0 victory on Sept. 6, 2014.

RetuRn to foRm foR veRSatile dRake will be key

Offensecontinued from Page 12

something we can force to happen. I think we’ve got to let it happen.”

The roster lists five quarterbacks, including Coker. Junior Alec Mor-ris, sophomore Cooper Bateman, redshirt fresh-man David Cornwell, and freshman Blake Barnett also will compete for the starting job.

Alabama will open the season against Wisconsin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, in Arlington, Texas. Senior offensive lineman Ryan Kelly is ready for Alabama to compete for

another national title re-gardless who leads it on the field for the first offen-sive series.

“There are five great candidates,” Kelly said. “They are great guys, great leaders in the lock-er room. We like to be around them. Regardless of who ends up starting when we are in Dallas, I know they are going to do a great job, be a great team leader, and have great energy.”

Coker is the only one to see playing time last season. He transferred to

Alabama before the start of last season and didn’t go through spring drills with the Crimson Tide. He spent this spring with Alabama.

“I think he’s made a tremendous amount of im-provement,” Saban said. “I think that a better under-standing, better knowl-edge of the system, better knowledge of what we ex-pect, what’s expected of him in our offense are all things that have contrib-uted to his confidence and his performance level.”

Cooper, who is a rookie

with the NFL’s Oakland Raiders, finished third in the Heisman Trophy race and won the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the nation’s most out-standing receiver.

Alabama’s top return-ing pass catcher is junior tight end O.J. Howard. The Prattville, Alabama, native caught 17 passes for 260 yards, but he didn’t have a touchdown.

This year’s group of wide receivers features only one senior: Park-er Barrineau. He didn’t have a catch last season.

Six wide receivers will be sophomores, and many think junior Chris Black and sophomore Robert Foster will emerge as the top options. They com-bined for 21 catches and 232 yards last season but failed to find the end zone.

“We have some talent-ed guys at the receiver po-sition,” Saban said. “They don’t have the experience some of our players have had in the past, including Amari Cooper. I think it’s an interesting chal-lenge to try to get those guys to develop the con-

fidence and the attention to detail that’s necessary to develop the chemistry and the passing between the quarterback, the pass protection, the receiver running the route, so that people can have the kind of success they’d like to have.”

Derrick Henry led the Crimson Tide with 990 rushing yards as a sopho-more last season. He and senior Kenyan Drake will lead the rushing attack.

Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait

Page 14: 2015 College Football Preview

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The DispaTch • www.cdispatch.com14 Sunday, auguSt 16, 2015 college football preview

2015 Preseason Media Days All-SEC team

(Total points earned in parenthesis)OFFENSEFirst-Team

QB Dak Prescott, Mississippi St. (170) RB Nick Chubb, Georgia (189) RB Leonard Fournette, LSU (180) WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss (169) WR D’haquille Williams, Auburn (154) TE Evan Engram, Ole Miss (128) OL Cam Robinson, Alabama (167) OL Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss (159) OL Vadal Alexander, LSU (131) OL John Theus, Georgia (129) C Ryan Kelly, Alabama (144)

Second-TeamQB Jeremy Johnson, Auburn (89) RB Derrick Henry, Alabama (151) RB Jonathan Williams, Arkansas (82) WR Pharoh Cooper, S. Carolina (147) WR De’Runnya Wilson, Miss. St. (59) TE Hunter Henry, Arkansas (97) OL Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M (124) OL Dan Skipper, Arkansas (95) OL Denver Kirkland, Arkansas (85) OL Greg Pyke, Georgia (83) C Mike Matthews, Texas A&M (108)

Third-TeamQB Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee (62) RB Alex Collins, Arkansas (80) RB Kenyan Drake, Alabama (34) WR Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia (50) WR Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M (39) TE O.J. Howard, Alabama (87) OL Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas (72) OL Alex Kozan, Auburn (69) OL Avery Young, Auburn (57) OL Brandon Shell, South Carolina (50) C Evan Boehm, Missouri (81)

DEFENSEFirst-Team

DL Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss (173) DL A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama (160) DL Myles Garrett, Texas A&M (155) DL Carl Lawson, Auburn (131) LB Reggie Ragland, Alabama (181) LB Jordan Jenkins, Georgia (121) LB Curt Maggitt, Tennessee (102) DB Vernon Hargreaves, Florida (186) DB Cyrus Jones, Alabama (126) DB Jonathan Jones, Auburn (122) DB Jalen Mills, LSU (118)

Second-TeamDL Jonathan Bullard, Florida (115) DL Derek Barnett, Tennessee (105) DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama (99) DL Chris Jones, Mississippi State (93) LB Kendell Beckwith, LSU (93) LB Leonard Floyd, Georgia (92) LB Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn (80) DB Tony Conner, Ole Miss (117) DB Cameron Sutton, Tennessee (115) DB Will Redmond, Mississippi St. (79) DB Tre’Davious White, LSU (61)

Third-TeamDL Montravius Adams, Auburn (90) DL Jarran Reed, Alabama (60) DL Davon Godchaux, LSU (40) DL Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss (34) LB Kris Frost, Auburn (77) LB Antonio Morrison, Florida (66) LB Kentrell Brothers, Missouri (61) DB A.J. Stamps, Kentucky (59) DB Eddie Jackson, Alabama (58) DB Jamal Adams, LSU (56) DB Johnathan Ford, Auburn (52)

SPECIALISTSFirst-Team

P JK Scott, Alabama (161) PK Marshall Morgan, Georgia (100) RS Speedy Noil, Texas A&M (117) AP Pharoh Cooper, S. Carolina (112)

Second-TeamP Drew Kaser, Texas A&M (92) PK Elliott Fry, South Carolina (87) RS Pharoh Cooper, S. Carolina (75) AP Leonard Fournette, LSU (85)

Third-TeamP Jamie Keehn, LSU (52) PK Austin MacGinnis, Kentucky (59) RS Leonard Fournette, LSU (66) AP Speedy Noil, Texas A&M (84)

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCEAthletic Website: www.secdigitalnetwork.com; Twitter: @SEC; Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheSECDN; Instagram: @secsports

2014 The Associated Press All-SEC teamThe 2014 Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference football team, with player’s position, name, school, height, weight and class (u-unanimous selection to first team; t-tied at a position):

FIRST TEAMOffense

WR—u-Amari Cooper, Alabama, 6-1, 210, Jr.WR—t-Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina, 5-11, 201, So.WR—t-Bud Sasser, Missouri, 6-2, 220, Sr.L—La’el Collins, LSU, 6-5, 321, Sr.L—Ben Beckwith, Mississippi State, 6-3, 306, Sr.L—Arie Kouandjio, Alabama, 6-5, 315, Sr.L—Laremy Tunsil, Mississippi, 6-5, 305, So.C—Reese Dismukes, Auburn, 6-3, 295, Sr.TE—Evan Engram, Mississippi, 6-3, 227, So.QB—Dak Prescott, Mississippi State, 6-2, 230, Jr.RB—Cameron Artis-Payne, Auburn, 5-11, 210, Sr.RB—Nick Chubb, Georgia, 5-10, 228, Fr.PK—Austin MacGinnis, Kentucky, 5-10, 168, Fr.All-Purpose—Marcus Murphy, Missouri, 5-9, 190, Sr.

DefenseE—Shane Ray, Missouri, 6-3, 245, Jr.E—Bud Dupree, Kentucky, 6-4, 264, Sr.

T—Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi, 6-4, 280, So.T—Johnathan Allen, Alabama, 6-3, 272, Sr.LB—Martrell Spaight, Arkansas, 6-2, 231, Sr.LB—Reggie Ragland, Alabama, 6-2, 254, Jr.LB—Amarlo Herrera, Georgia, 6-2, 231, Sr.CB—u-Senquez Golson, Mississippi, 5-9, 176, Sr.CB—Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida, 5-11, 195, So.S—u-Landon Collins, Alabama, 6-0, 222, Jr.S—Cody Prewitt, Mississippi, 6-2, 217, Sr.P—JK Scott, Alabama, 6-4, 185, Fr.

SECOND TEAMOffense

WR—Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M, 6-4, 190, So.WR—Sammie Coates, Auburn, 6-2, 201, Jr.L—Greg Pyke, Georgia, 6-6, 321, So.L—A.J. Cann, South Carolina, 6-4, 311, Sr.L—Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M, 6-5, 305, Sr.L—Austin Shepherd, Alabama, 6-5, 320, Sr.C—David Andrews, Georgia, 6-2, 294, Sr.TE—Steven Scheu, Vanderbilt, 6-5, 250, Jr.QB—Blake Sims, Alabama, 6-0, 208, Sr.RB—Josh Robinson, Mississippi State, 5-9, 215, Jr.RB—Jonathan Williams, Arkansas, 6-0, 223, Jr.

PK—Josh Lambo, Texas A&M, 6-0, 220, Sr.All-Purpose—Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina, 5-11, 201, So.

DefenseE—Preston Smith, Mississippi State, 6-6, 270, Sr.E—Derek Barnett, Tennessee, 6-3, 267, Fr.T—Myles Garrett, Texas A&M, 6-5, 255, Fr.T—Darius Philon, Arkansas, 6-2, 272, So.LB—Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State, 6-5, 249, Jr.LB—t-Kwon Alexander, LSU, 6-2, 227, Jr.LB—t-Kentrell Brothers, Missouri, 6-1, 240, Jr.LB—t-Antonio Morrison, Florida, 6-1, 225, Jr.LB—t-Curt Maggitt, Tennessee, 6-3, 251, Jr.LB—t-Ramik Wilson, Georgia, 6-2, 237, Sr.CB—t-Cyrus Jones, Alabama, 5-10, 194, Jr.CB—t-Damian Swann, Georgia, 5-11, 180, Sr.CB—t-Jonathan Jones, Auburn, 5-10, 182, Jr.S—Braylon Webb, Missouri, 6-0, 200, Sr.S—t-Ronald Martin, LSU, 6-2, 220, Sr.S—t-Tony Conner, Mississippi, 6-0, 217, So.P—Kyle Christy, Florida, 6-3, 198, Sr.

HONORABLE MENTIONOffense

Vadal Alexander, L, LSU, 6-6, 320, Jr.; Daniel Carlson, PK,

Auburn, 6-4, 215, Fr.; Andre Debose, All-Purpose, Florida, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas, 6-5, 250, So.; Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama, 6-5, 296, Jr.; Denver Kirkland, L, Arkansas, 6-5, 337, So.; Marshall Morgan, PK, Georgia, 6-3, 200, Jr.; Speedy Noil, All-Purpose, Texas A&M, 5-11, 185, Fr.; Dan Skipper, L, Arkansas, 6-10, 326, So.; John Theus, L, Georgia, 6-6, 313, Jr.

DefenseHarold Brantley, T, Missouri, 6-3, 290, So.; Trey DePriest, LB, Alabama, 6-2, 250, Sr.; Trey Flowers, E, Arkansas, 6-3, 270, Sr.; Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia, 6-4, 230, So.; Dante Fowler Jr., E, Florida, 6-3, 260, Jr.; Markus Golden, E, Missouri, 6-3, 260, Sr.; A.J. Johnson, LB, Tennessee, 6-2, 245, Sr.; Quincy Mauger, S, Georgia, 6-0, 199, So.; Jarran Reed, T, Alabama, 6-4, 315, Jr.; A’Shawn Robinson, NG, Alabama, 6-4, 320, So.; Gabe Wright, T, Auburn, 6-3, 284, Sr.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEARAmari Cooper, Alabama

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEARShane Ray, Missouri

COACH OF THE YEARDan Mullen, Mississippi State

FRESHMAN OF THE YEARNick Chubb, Georgia

ScheduleWEEK ONE

Thursday, Sept. 3North Carolina vs. South Carolina (Charlotte), 5 p.m. (ESPN)Western Kentucky at Vanderbilt, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)

Saturday, Sept. 5Louisiana-Monroe at Georgia, 11 a.m. (SEC Network)Tennessee-Martin at Ole Miss, 11 a.m. (SEC Network)UTEP at Arkansas, 2:30 p.m. (ESPNU)Louisville vs. Auburn (Atlanta), 2:30 p.m. (WCBI)SE Missouri State at Missouri, 3 p.m. (SEC Network)Bowling Green vs. Tennessee (Nashville), 3 p.m. (SEC Network)Arizona State vs. Texas A&M (Houston), 6 p.m. (ESPN)Louisiana-Lafayette at Kentucky, 6 p.m. (ESPNU)McNeese State at LSU, 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network)New Mexico State at Florida, 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network)Wisconsin vs. Alabama (Dallas), 7 p.m. (WTVA-ABC)Mississippi State at Southern Mississippi, 9 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)

WEEK TWOSaturday, Sept. 12

Missouri at Arkansas State, 11 a.m.Jacksonville State at Auburn, 11 a.m. (SEC Network)Fresno State at Ole Miss, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)Georgia at Vanderbilt, 2:30 p.m. (WCBI)Middle Tennessee at Alabama, 3 p.m. (SEC Network)Toledo vs. Arkansas (Little Rock), 3 p.m. (SEC Network)Oklahoma at Tennessee, 5 p.m. (ESPN)Ball State at Texas A&M, 6 p.m. (ESPNU)East Carolina at Florida, 6 p.m. (ESPN2)Kentucky at South Carolina, 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network)LSU at Mississippi State, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)

WEEK THREESaturday, Sept. 19

Connecticut at Missouri, 11 a.m. (ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU)Nevada at Texas A&M, 11 a.m. (SEC Network)Auburn at LSU, 2:30 p.m. (WCBI)Northwestern State at Mississippi State, 3 p.m. (SEC Network)Austin Peay at Vanderbilt, 3 p.m. (SEC Network)South Carolina at Georgia, 5 p.m. (ESPN)Texas Tech at Arkansas, 6 p.m. (ESPN2)Western Carolina at Tennessee, 6 p.m. (ESPNU)Florida at Kentucky, 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network)Ole Miss at Alabama, 8:15 p.m. ESPN

WEEK FOURSaturday, Sept. 26

Louisiana-Monroe at AlabamaTexas A&M vs. Arkansas (Arlington)Mississippi State at AuburnTennessee at FloridaSouthern University at GeorgiaMissouri at KentuckyVanderbilt at Ole MissCentral Florida at South CarolinaLSU at Syracuse

WEEK FIVESaturday, Oct. 3

San Jose State at AuburnOle Miss at FloridaAlabama at GeorgiaEastern Kentucky at KentuckyEastern Michigan at LSUSouth Carolina at MissouriArkansas at TennesseeMississippi State at Texas A&MVanderbilt at Middle Tennessee, 6 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

WEEK SIXSaturday, Oct. 10

Arkansas at AlabamaTroy at Mississippi StateFlorida at MissouriNew Mexico State at Ole MissLSU at South CarolinaGeorgia at Tennessee

WEEK SEVENThursday, Oct. 15

Auburn at Kentucky, 6 p.m. (ESPN)Saturday, Oct. 17

Missouri at GeorgiaFlorida at LSUOle Miss at MemphisLouisiana Tech at Mississippi StateVanderbilt at South CarolinaAlabama at Texas A&M

WEEK EIGHTSaturday, Oct. 24

Tennessee at AlabamaAuburn at ArkansasWestern Kentucky at LSUKentucky at Mississippi State Texas A&M at Ole MissMissouri at Vanderbilt

WEEK NINESaturday, Oct. 31

Tennessee-Martin at ArkansasOle Miss at AuburnVanderbilt at HoustonTennessee at KentuckySouth Carolina at Texas A&MFlorida at Georgia (Jacksonville), 2:30 p.m. (WCBI)

WEEK TENThursday, Nov. 5

Mississippi State at Missouri, 8 p.m. (ESPN)Saturday, Nov. 7

LSU at AlabamaVanderbilt at FloridaKentucky at GeorgiaArkansas at Ole MissSouth Carolina at TennesseeAuburn at Texas A&M

WEEK ELEVENSaturday, Nov. 14

Georgia at AuburnArkansas at LSUAlabama at Mississippi StateFlorida at South CarolinaNorth Texas at TennesseeWestern Carolina at Texas A&MKentucky at VanderbiltBYU vs. Missouri (Kansas City)

WEEK TWELVESaturday, Nov. 21

Charleston Southern at AlabamaMississippi State at ArkansasIdaho at AuburnFlorida Atlantic at FloridaGeorgia Southern at GeorgiaCharlotte at KentuckyTennessee at MissouriLSU at Ole MissThe Citadel at South CarolinaTexas A&M at Vanderbilt

WEEK THIRTEENFriday, Nov. 27

Missouri at Arkansas, 1:30 p.m. (WCBI)Saturday, Nov. 28

Alabama at AuburnFlorida State at FloridaGeorgia at Georgia TechLouisville at KentuckyTexas A&M at LSUOle Miss at Mississippi StateClemson at South CarolinaVanderbilt at Tennessee

By JOHN ZENORThe Associated Press

The Southeastern Conference is the unques-tioned king of college football leagues.

Maybe in some circles.That mind-set has be-

come practically a mantra for SEC coaches, fans, and media in the past decade, but other leagues have won the national crown the last two seasons.

As usual, this season the SEC has no shortage of solid candidates to crack the four-team Col-lege Football Playoffs, in-cluding Alabama despite an unsettled quarterback situation. That’s a familiar refrain for other would-be contenders like Georgia, Ole Miss, LSU and per-haps even Auburn, which doesn’t expect to miss a beat with Jeremy Johnson replacing Nick Marshall.

It’s still hard to argue against the top-to-bot-tom strength of a league where Mississippi State is picked to finish last in the SEC West a year af-ter spending five weeks ranked No. 1 in the land. And the Bulldogs’ Dak Prescott is the league’s only established standout quarterback.

“I feel like we weren’t satisfied with the No. 1 ranking because we want-ed to be No. 1 at the end of the year,” Mississippi State defensive back Tav-eze Calhoun said.

That sums up the am-bitions of the league’s top powers since Ohio State pounded away at Alabama’s defense in the Sugar Bowl, a semifinal game.

But the SEC has its work cut out.

The league didn’t even lead the way into the NFL draft either with the Atlan-tic Coast Conference and the Pacific-12 Conference having more first-round-ers if fewer overall picks.

If the case for No. 1 league isn’t quite so open and shut these days, there’s little question the SEC West stacks up as the most compelling, can-nibalistic division. All sev-en programs are led by

coaches making at least $4 million a year.

The league media picked Auburn to win the SEC, but Alabama re-ceived more points in the West voting, illustrating the lack of a consensus favorite even within that state.

Some things to watch in the SEC this season:

n UNPROVEN Q U A R T E R B A C K S : More than half of the teams still had open competition going into training camps, with two more graduate transfers joining the mix. Former Virginia starter Greyson Lambert is competing at Georgia and ex-Clemson quarterback Chad Kel-ly, who helped lead East Mississippi Community College to a National Ju-nior College Athletic As-sociation national title, is battling for the starting job at Ole Miss. South Carolina receiver Pharoh Cooper completed more passes (five) last season than any quarterback on the Gamecocks’ roster. Auburn’s Jeremy John-son and Tennessee’s Josh Dobbs could be rising stars, while Prescott and Arkansas’ Brandon Allen have the most experience.

n RUNNERS GALORE: The league’s

backfields still pack plen-ty of starpower despite the loss of Georgia’s Todd Gurley, Alabama’s T.J. Yel-don, and Auburn’s Camer-on Artis-Payne. The Bull-dogs return Nick Chubb, who had a huge freshman season. Alabama returns 240-pound back Derrick Henry. Arkansas has 1,000-yard rushers Jona-than Williams and Alex Collins, and Leonard Fournette returns at LSU after starring as a fresh-man.

n NEW C O O R D I N A T O R S : There are 14 in the league, counting Vander-bilt coach Derrick Mason, who has added running the defense to his du-ties. Auburn hired Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator, while Texas A&M lured John Chavis from LSU in an attempt to get those defenses up to speed with the offenses. Both are raking in at least $5 million for three years.

n ROAD TESTS: There are no easy roads to Atlanta or the College Football Playoffs, espe-cially in the loaded West-ern Division. Some paths are harder than others. Alabama not only opens in a neutral-site game with Wisconsin but visits East Division favorite Georgia,

Texas A&M, Mississippi State, and Auburn. May-be Arkansas is poised for a breakthrough season, but it has only three SEC home games and faces Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas. Arkansas also vis-its Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU, and Tennessee.

n AGING ICONS: You never know when a coach will decide to call it quits, and that includes South Carolina’s 70-year-old Steve Spurrier and Al-abama’s Nick Saban, who turns 64 on Oct. 31. That time might be years away since both appear to still be going strong. Spurrier draws plenty of attention for his workout regimen, and Saban still rounds up his assistants for hoops games. Missouri’s Gary Pinkel, who has won two straight SEC East titles, is 63. LSU’s Les Miles turns 62 in November.

Predicted order of finish:

EAST — Georgia, Ten-nessee, Missouri, South Carolina, Florida, Ken-tucky, Vanderbilt.

WEST — Auburn, Al-abama, Mississippi, LSU, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Mississippi State.

League wiLL try to regain top spotalabama one of many contenders that will try to survive seC west to play for national title

Alabama Athletic Media RelationsAlabama football coach Nick Saban has plenty of questions to answer about the 2015 team, but the Crimson Tide still are considered to be one of the favorites to win the Southeastern Conference’s Western Division and the overall league crown.

Page 15: 2015 College Football Preview

stop him or who can catch him. He fits the mold of what we look for in a run-ning back.

“With the offense put-ting up such high n u m b e r s , sometimes the run-ning game gets lost in the shuf-fle. From a kick-return standpoint, D.J. can change a game on one play.”

Fo r m e r L ou isv i l le High stand-out Wyatt Roberts is the most ex-p er ienced r e t u r n e e at quarter-back. Rob-erts threw for 317 yards and four touch-

downs last season as an understudy to current Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly.

EMCC also acquired the services of quarter-back James Franklin III, who has transferred from Florida State. At EMCC, Franklin will be tutored by first-year quarterbacks coach Clint Trickett. A former standout at West Virginia, Trickett is the son of current Florida State offensive line coach Rick Trickett.

At receiver, EMCC will look at several new faces after its top five pass-catchers from a year ago have moved on to se-nior colleges. The Lions should receive a big lift from former Aberdeen standout Sammie Bur-roughs, who was injured early last season.

On defense, the Lions will look to continue their

recent dominance. A year ago, EMCC allowed 6.7 points per game. The 24-game winning streak in-cludes 10 shutouts. A year ago, five of the shutouts came in succession.

“The mind-set is if 10 guys are flying to the ball, then something good is not happening for the of-fense,” Lipscomb said. “The defensive coaches preach that every day in practice. They preach be-ing physical and flying to the ball. It’s a lot of fun to play in this system. The main thing is everybody is good. You can’t let up for one play. You are be-ing pushed by teammates who are really good.”

Again the competition is strong on the defense. The top seven tacklers from last season are all gone.

“The main thing is ev-erybody is hungry on this level,” Lipscomb said. “Ev-erybody wants to play Di-vision I ball. Receivers are going to go just as hard as the defensive players. They want to make those catches that will get them noticed. You have to go 100 percent because they are. If you go 99 percent on one play that might be the play where the other guy beats you. He is try-ing to make his highlight reel, so you have to match that intensity.”

EMCC has had little trouble matching that in-tensity of late. Buddy Ste-phens begins his eighth season with six MACJC North Division champi-onships, four state titles, three national champion-ships, and a perfect bowl record.

EMCC could match the nation’s longest win-ning streak Sept. 3 with a victory at Copiah-Lincoln C.C. A year ago, EMCC won 54-15 at Co-Lin to win the state championship.

The Sporting News ranked EMCC No. 1 in its preseason poll. Rivals went the other way, giv-ing Copiah-Lincoln the nod. The official MACJC national rankings weren’t available at press time.

Regardless of which team gets the preseason nod at No. 1, there will be a lot of intrigue for that matchup at Stone Stadi-um. Success there could be a foreshadowing of the dynasty continuing its run.

Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott

The DispaTch • www.cdispatch.comCOLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015 15

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PositionContinued from Page 6

n The redshirt freshman could add depth at defensive tackle that the Bull-dogs need.

Best-case scenario: Jones has a monster year and others blossom around him.

LinebackersLeader: Beniquez Brownn The junior was the vocal leader

of the defense last season. He is the un-equivocal leader of the defense this sea-son. He was second on the team with 62 tackles in 2014.

Breakout candidate: Richie Brownn The junior will get his first shot at

being a regular starter. He has played alongside Beniquez Brown the past two seasons and could develop into his own player this fall.

Freshman to watch: Gerri Greenn The 6-4, 243-pound redshirt

freshman was physical in the spring, which could make it hard for the coaches to find him playing time.

Best-case scenario: Several guys emerge and give the Bulldogs depth to stay fresh and attack.

Defensive BacksLeaders: Taveze Calhoun and

Redmondn The seniors are considered the

nation’s best cornerback duo. They have a ton of experience and talent.

Breakout candidate: Cedric Jilesn The junior cornerback missed last

season after suffering a hamstring injury in preseason camp. He has three career starts.

Freshmen to watch: Jamal Peters and Mark McLaurin

n The safeties stand 6-2 and could see playing time immediately because the Bulldogs lack depth and experience at the position.

Best-case scenario: Calhoun and Redmond continue to play well and Peters and McLaurin adjust quickly.

Special TeamsLeader: Devon Belln The senior primarily has been a

punter the past two seasons, but he was a place kicker as a freshman. He could re-turn to field goal duty this season. He has the most experience of any of the kickers.

Breakout candidate: Logan Cooken The sophomore was supposed

to redshirt last season, but he was thrust into action after Bell suffered an injury. He has a big leg and will be a factor in kick-offs and punts.

Freshman to watch: Bryce Brownn He is battling with Bell and Westin

Graves for field goal duties.Best-case scenario: The Bulldogs

find a consistent field goal kicker.— Ben Wait

ScheduleContinued from Page 6

Oct. 17 — Louisiana Tech (9-5)All-time record: MSU 8-3Last meeting: MSU, 26-20 in

overtime (2011)n This is MSU’s last non-confer-

ence game. It also will be the Homecom-ing game.

MSU needed overtime the last time the teams met in Starkville. Before that, Louisiana Tech had won two in a row. MSU is 8-2 all-time against Louisiana Tech in Starkville.

Louisiana Tech finished strong last season, beating Illinois 35-18 in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

Former Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel will call the plays for Louisiana Tech this season. He transferred in as a graduate student and will have one year of eligibility.

Senior Kenneth Dixon led Louisiana Tech with 1,299 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns.

Oct. 24 — Kentucky (5-7)All-time record: Tied 21-21Last season: MSU, 45-31n The Bulldogs celebrated their

first No. 1 ranking with a road victory last season.

The Wildcats gave them a scare, but former linebacker Christian Holmes recovered an onside kick in the fourth quarter and returned it for a touchdown. Josh Robinson nearly rushed for 200 yards in the game.

MSU has won the past six meetings. Kentucky’s last win against MSU came in 2008 in Starkville.

Kentucky will lean on quarterback Patrick Towles, who threw for 2,718 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

The Wildcats started last season 5-1 and needed one win to become bowl eligible, but they lost the final six and missed the postseason.

Nov. 5 — at Missouri (11-3)All-time record: Missouri 2-0Last meeting: Missouri, 47-30

(1984)n The Bulldogs will travel to Colum-

bia, Missouri, for a Thursday night game.It will be the first time the teams will

meet as conference opponents. The Ti-gers beat the Bulldogs 47-30 in Columbia in 1984 and 14-3 in Jackson in 1981.

Missouri has won the SEC East the past two seasons, and is poised to do it again. However, many experts don’t be-lieve the Tigers will.

Missouri returns quarterback Maty Mauk, who threw for 2,648 yards and 25 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Russell Hansbrough rushed for 1,084 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior.

Many believe this is a toss-up game for the Bulldogs.

Nov. 14 — Alabama (12-2)All-time record: Alabama 78-18-3Last season: Alabama, 25-20n Alabama is the only SEC West

team Mullen hasn’t beaten. He came close last season in Tuscaloosa, Ala-bama, but a late comeback fell short. The loss was the Bulldogs’ first of the season.

MSU hasn’t beaten Alabama since winning back-to-back games in 2006 and 2007.

The Crimson Tide will replace sever-al pieces on offense, including All-Ameri-can Amari Cooper, who caught 124 pass-es for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Jake Coker is expected to be the starting quarterback, while tight O.J. Howard will be the top target in the passing game.

In the past three meetings in Starkville, MSU has only scored 17 points.

Nov. 21 — at Arkansas (7-6)All-time record: Arkansas 15-9-1Last season: MSU, 17-10n The Bulldogs have won the past

three meetings, including a 24-17 over-time game in 2013 in Little Rock, Arkan-sas. MSU’s win in 2013 was its first in the state of Arkansas.

This year’s game will be in Fayette-ville, Arkansas. MSU is 0-3 in Fayette-ville.

The Razorbacks were playing well when the teams met last season. A late interception by Redmond sealed MSU’s victory.

Arkansas is expected to make a big jump in Bret Bielema’s third season.

Nov. 28 — Ole Miss (9-4)All-time record: Ole Miss 62-43-6Last season: Ole Miss, 31-17n The home team has won the past

four meetings in the Battle for the Golden Egg.

The Bulldogs are the last team to win on the road. They beat the Rebels 31-23 in 2010 in Oxford. Ole Miss hasn’t won in Starkville since a 31-0 shutout in 2003.

MSU’s loss was part of a slide that saw it lose to Georgia Tech in the Or-ange Bowl and drop three of its final four games.

The Rebels will bring a new quarter-back to Starkville, as former East Missis-sippi C.C. standout Bo Wallace played his last season at Ole Miss in 2014.

Chad Kelly, Ryan Buchanan, and DeVante Kincade are in competition to be the team’s starting quarterback.

— Ben Wait

LOCAL FLAVORn As of Aug. 7, the 2015 East Mississippi Community College football team had a solid local presence on its roster. The final roster for the first game of the season wasn’t completed at press time. Joshua Hibbler and Alexander Lipscomb (Columbus High School), Jeremy Newton (New Hope High), Sammie Burroughs (Aberdeen High), Alonzo Flowers, Jacquez Horsley, and Jawon Johnson (Starkville High), Ronnie Gray Jr., Edrieon Hopkins, and Antraveon Jamison (Noxubee County High), and Dason Thomas (West Point High) will compete for spots on the final roster.

Burroughs

Roberts

Law

EMCCContinued from Page 7

“The main thing is everybody is good. You can’t let up for one play.”

East Mississippi Community College

freshman Alex Lipscomb,

a former standout at Columbus High School

Page 16: 2015 College Football Preview

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BrownContinued from Page 5

A four-star prospect by Scout.com, 247Sports, and ESPN.com, Brown redshirted as a fresh-man in 2012. He took advantage of that season by learning from jug-gernauts like Lawrence, Skinner, and McKinney.

“I had guys like Cam Lawrence and Deontae Skinner to lead the way,” Brown said. “It was a pro-cess knowing that when they left, the opportunity was going to be there for me to lead. I feel like it is my time now.”

Brown is MSU’s only returning starting line-backer this season, but he has several other vet-erans surrounding him. Junior Richie Brown and senior Zach Jackson have seen a lot of playing time. Jackson has lettered for the past three seasons, while Richie Brown has earned a letter in the past two seasons.

The Browns and Jack-son will be counted on to be leaders at a young posi-tion group, but Beniquez Brown expects to shoul-der most of that responsi-bility.

“He’s really developed

as a leader,” Richie Brown said. “He’s stepping it up and he really embraces that role, and I think ev-erybody on the team re-spects him a lot.”

Beniquez spent the past three seasons under defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Geoff Collins, but he will play for Manny Diaz this season. After Collins took the same position at Florida last De-cember, MSU seventh-year head coach Dan Mullen hired Diaz away from Lou-isiana Tech to lead his de-fense and to coach the line-backers. Diaz and Mullen worked together at MSU in 2010 before Diaz left to become defensive coordi-nator at Texas.

The transition for Brown has been fairly easy.

“Beniquez has picked up right where he left off,” said Diaz, who was hired Jan. 5, 2015, after spend-ing one season in Ruston, Louisiana. “His under-standing of the game has slowed the pace of the game down compared to what it is for other guys.”

Diaz spent the spring with the Bulldogs and installed his defensive

philosophies. Brown said Diaz’s concepts slowly have become second na-ture to him.

“At first I was kind of pushing myself kind of hard to hurry up and learn the defense so I could teach everybody else,” Brown said. “In the spring, it was kind of fast, trying to learn and get out of old habits in coach Collins’ way. Now I’ve got coach Diaz’s ways under my wing.”

A big season could help Brown improve his stock for the NFL draft, but he hopes to leave a lega-cy behind in Starkville. Just like the guys before him, Brown wants to be a positive influence on the younger linebackers so they can carry on the tra-dition of great linebackers at MSU.

“Our young guys are great listeners,” he said. “If the coach tells them to do something, they do it. It is great to have guys like that. They follow us, and when it is their time to lead, they will be ready.”

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PrescottContinued from Page 4

team before himself. That’s just the type of person he is. He’s just a hard-working leader.”

Prescott has graced the cover of three national sports magazines since last fall. It started with an Oct. 20, 2014, appear-ance on Sports Illustrated after the Bull-dogs moved to No. 1 in both major polls. He also was on the front of ESPN The Magazine on Nov. 10, 2014.

Most recently, Prescott made another appearance on the front of Sports Illus-trated. The cover photo shows Prescott holding MSU mascot Bully XXI “Jax.” It was one of four college football preview covers the publication released earlier this month.

“It’s humbling,” Prescott said of the newest magazine cover. “(As a child), you look at Sports Illustrated and imag-ine being on the cover. It was definitely a humbling experience.”

Prescott wasn’t a highly sought after recruit coming out of high school, but MSU football coach Dan Mullen and his coaches saw something in him, offered him a scholarship, and he committed.

LSU eventually came calling, but Prescott stuck with his commitment and came to MSU in the fall of 2011.

For Mullen, it’s a sense of pride to see everything Prescott has accomplished and for him to receive the national attention.

“It’s a huge honor for our university

and for an individual like Dak who chose Mississippi State because we believed in him,” Mullen said. “We saw what he could become, and to see him accom-plish those goals, well, that’s why you coach.”

Prescott hopes to stay in the nation-al spotlight. He has earned a spot on six preseason watch lists in the preseason. He is up for the Maxwell Award (national player of the year), the Wuerffel Trophy (community service), the Davey O’Brien Award (top quarterback), the Walter Camp Award (most outstanding player), the Manning Award (top quarterback with bowl stats included), and the John-ny Unitas Golden Arm Award (top quar-terback based on character).

With all of the national attention, Prescott said naturally it’s hard to go anywhere in Starkville without being no-ticed, but he takes his time with the fans to make sure he can autograph some-thing for them or he can take a picture with them.

That’s part of his humility.“It’s just a lot more pictures, a lot more

autographs, a lot more awkward stares,” Prescott said. “A year ago, I could go to a store and get out with no problem. It’s time consuming when I go out, but I try to be ready to smile.”

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MSUContinued from Page 3

Brown played in all 13 games last season (12 starts). The New Orleans native had 39 tackles, including seven for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 2014.

Mullen said MSU might have used the lack of recognition as a ral-lying cry this year if it wasn’t historically picked to finish at the bottom. Either way, Mullen knows players will use it as moti-vation.

“If you’re picked first, you get real motivation to stay there,” he said. “If you’re picked last, you’ve got motivation to prove ev-erybody wrong. If you’re picked fourth, you’re kind of like, ‘Well, they didn’t pick us last.’ ”

Many of MSU’s play-ers were passed over by other SEC schools, so they are used to the lack of recognition. For-mer Bulldog Benardrick McKinney, who is a rook-ie with the NFL’s Hous-ton Texans, had only one SEC offer and was rated a two-star prospect out of Rosa Fort High School in Tunica. The Texans se-lected him in the second round of the NFL draft in April.

Senior safety Kendrick Market heard numerous times he wouldn’t play football at this level, so MSU’s predicted finish isn’t new to him.

“I like it. I tweeted it. I like being last,” Market said. “I’m nothing but 5-9. Everybody said I couldn’t play in the SEC. We’re go-ing to prove them wrong

again.”Market suffered a rup-

tured Achilles tendon in last season’s regular-sea-son finale against Ole Miss, but he participated in the first day of practice earlier this month and is expected to play a major role in the secondary this season.

The SEC West is re-garded as one of the na-tion’s toughest divisions. Many believe this season that any team can win the division and any team can finish last.

Mullen agrees.“I don’t think there’s

any team in the West that

doesn’t think they can win it,” he said. “I know every school in the country has the coach talk, ‘Hey we feel great. We’re going to find a way to win.’ I bet if you took a poll in the Big Ten of people, do they think anyone could win the championship in that league? Probably, they’re not going to say that.

“When you look at the SEC West, you probably can make an argument of how every team could win.”

Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait

Mark Wilson/Dispatch StaffMississippi State football coach Dan Mullen talks to members of the media Aug. 7 at the team’s annual gathering at the Seal Complex.