Description of Mississippi State’s preseason has a lot to do with Nick Saban’s least favorite word- expectations.
“I want our team to be harder working, more disciplined- a tougher football team than we were last year,” Mullen said.
A lot of things have changed since Coach Mullen came to the school says MSU defensive lineman Fletcher Cox. “We are expected to execute on the highest level. This year we want to win the west.”
“Its about expectations. He tells us to reach our potential every day, to handle our business,” MSU running back Vick Ballard said. “We’re 18, 19, 20-year-olds, young men, and he expects us to act like it.”
During every preseason, teams must fill roster holes. Some have greater needs than others, but quarter back Chris Relf sees Mississippi State’s situation in a “glass half full” way.
“We’ve got more than just one guy coming back.”
Relf says their strengths this season are young players that are “going to be good.” But Mississippi State, like others in the conference are dealing with losses in the line backing core. Young players full of potential makes that scenario lose its sting, but there are still intangibles that have to be proven in order for that worry to go away completely.
“We have some talent,” Mullen said. “These guys need to step up. I know we have the talent but it is the mental strength. Are these guys mentally ready for the big stage?”
That’s a question going through EVERY college football coach’s mind right now. Are they ready? And, how do you transition from one season to the next?
“What I’ve learned is you don’t try to replace players, you build around their strengths,” Mullen said. “Put them in a position to be successful.”
Last season the Bulldogs saw glimpses of great success but in the end went no further than an 8-4 record and beating Michigan in the Gator bowl. It was a decisive 52-14 win to end their season but it certainly isn’t where their expectations lead today.
“The whole expectation is: We had a nine-win season last year, and we look at it as a motivator,” Ballard said. “You don’t want to get complacent.”
Now, spirits on the team are lifted, pugnacious and ready to learn from the past. For Vick Ballard, their toughest games last year were Auburn and Arkansas who served as big lessons to the competition in the SEC.
“They both came down to the wire, we didn’t finish,” Ballard said.
For the Bulldogs that is motivation in 2011.
“After every workout we do this thing called fourth quarter," Ballard. "After you think you’re tired, do something to make yourself even more tired- push that level.”
Quarter back Chris Relf will have to do just that in order to excel further in the quarter back position.
“I had a lot of concerns with [Relf] when he first got to Mississippi State with his commitment to being quarterback,” Mullen said. “But after the first year he started to understand it.”
Mullen was waiting for his quarterback to mature and anxiously waited for his responsibilities on and off the field to click. Thankfully it has.
“Now he’s taking it to a whole other level,” Mullen said. “He bought into the program, he understands the expectations for the leadership role and understands the work needed on and off the field to be a quarterback in the SEC.”
Relf says he is working on timing and quickness to increase his arsenal. Defensive lineman Fletcher Cox says he’s working on being a more dynamic pass rusher- both know everyone is expected to step up their game.
“Confidence is real high right now,” Cox said. “But we’re talking about execution now. Making those big plays.”
Despite the big plays and confidence, the Bulldogs still haven’t forgotten the unfulfilled season of 2010. When a reporter asks Relf if it helps playing with a chip on your shoulders- there is no hesitation when he answers, “yes it does.”
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