Ranking Miss. State’s 5 greatest impact players through its first four games

The Mississippi State Bulldogs have reached their first bye of the 2014 season with a 4-0 record, having most recently stunned LSU in Death Valley last weekend. The Bulldogs are ranked in the top 20 in the polls for the first time in two years, and, despite some controversy regarding Dillon Day’s suspension, have emerged as a true contender in the SEC West.

Here are Mississippi State’s five greatest impact players so far this season:

1. Dak Prescott: Prescott has been the Bulldogs’ greatest impact player through four weeks, proving himself to be one of the program’s most dynamic playmakers since head coach Dan Mullen took over in 2009. He’s already thrown for more than 950 yards and rushed for more than 350 yards this season, and he has scored touchdowns three different ways through four games. Most importantly, Prescott has taken the reins as the team’s unquestioned leader on the field, leading Mississippi State to big plays in critical moments time and time again, especially last week against LSU. As long as Prescott keeps up his stellar play, the Bulldogs should as well.
2. Preston Smith: It’s been said over and over, but Preston Smith may be the most impactful defensive player in the entire SEC through four weeks. He may not be a factor on as many as half of MSU’s defensive plays, but when he is a factor, he usually makes a game-changing play. He has multiple interceptions, multiple blocked kicks, a handful of sacks, a forced fumble and a return touchdown so far this season, and has forced at least one turnover in three of the Bulldogs’ first four games. The three-time SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honoree has out-performed star defensive tackle Chris Jones to this point, and has carried the Bulldogs’ defense in crucial moments during the team’s 4-0 start to the season. Smith is certainly making his senior season count, and the team is responding in a big way.
3. Josh Robinson: In a conference loaded with talented tailbacks, Robinson has elevated the Mississippi State rushing attack, helping balance one of the most explosive offenses in the SEC. Robinson is second in the conference with 485 yards on the ground this season, and is third in the SEC averaging 121.3 yards per game. And if you think his numbers are inflated because Mississippi State does not have an established No. 2 back, you’re wrong, as Prescott has also rushed for 100 yards in three straight weeks. Robinson is averaging nearly 8 yards per carry this year, making every touch an impactful one to extend Mississippi State’s drives. The offense has rarely faced long third downs, which is a huge credit to its stout rushing attack. Robinson is the glue that holds the offense together, and without him the balance and consistency flies right out the window. He may not be the most talented back in the SEC, but he’s made the greatest impact on his team of any tailback in the conference.
4. Ben Beckwith: At offensive guard, Beckwith plays one of the least recognized positions in football, but has still made a huge impact anchoring Mississippi State’s offensive line this season. He was named the SEC’s Offensive Lineman of the Week last week for his play against LSU, which included a fantastic block to create an avenue for Prescott to begin a 56-yard touchdown run, and Beckwith rarely been beaten by opposing defensive linemen this season. The Bulldogs’ have had one of the top rushing attacks in the SEC, thanks in large part to Beckwith and the rest of the offensive line. His impact will truly be put to the test in two weeks as Beckwith plays without starting center Dillon Day at his side while Day serves a one-game suspension. Beckwith may be the guy called upon to slide inside to the center position, and if he can make a seamless transition to center it would help Mississippi State tremendously against No. 6 Texas A&M.
5. Benardrick McKinney: McKinney is one of the most talented middle linebackers in the nation, and is considered among the top prospects at the position for next year’s NFL Draft. He leads Mississippi State with 27 tackles and 5 tackles for loss this season, and commands the defense from the middle of the field on every snap. McKinney is the glue that holds the defense together, and even on plays where he does not make a direct impact, he still makes an impact by calling out the defense and making sure everyone is lined up in the right place to make a play on the ball or ball-carrier. He is the quarterback of the defense, and Mississippi State would lose a lot more than 27 tackles if he were to miss significant time on the field.

Ethan Levine

A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.