SDS is looking in-depth at teams and their biggest subplots heading into 2015. Next up: The Mississippi State Bulldogs.

1. PROVE LAST YEAR WAS NO FLUKE

Mississippi State had one of its best seasons in program history last year, finishing with 10 wins. But much of that success was due to a lot of depth and continuity across the board on both sides of the ball.

This year is a different story. Many of the key reserves last year that played significant minutes now step into starting roles and their experience will be huge. But as for the players that will be backing them up and taking rotational snaps, there are a lot of unanswered questions for the Bulldogs.

Of the 15 starters that were lost, perhaps the biggest hurdle that Mississippi State will have to get over is replacing three starting offensive lineman — Blaine Clausell, Ben Beckwith and Dillon Day.

But having one of the nation’s best quarterbacks and most dynamic playmakers in Dak Prescott makes anything possible.

2. DON’T FINISH LAST IN THE SEC WEST

Many college football analysts are picking Mississippi State to finish last in the SEC West this year. Last year the Bulldogs finished second behind Alabama, and with all the players that were lost it would be unfair to expect the same finish. But second all the way to seventh?

Dan Mullen and his team will be playing with a chip on its shoulder to prove that they can overcome adversity and remain a force to be reckoned with in the West.

But in all fairness, going from first or second to sixth or seventh in the West doesn’t neccesarily mean a big drop off in talent has occurred. In a division that sports five top-25 teams, the last-place team could be better than most power-conference teams.

3. WHO WILL STEP UP ON THE FRONT SEVEN?

We’ve mentioned the turnover on the offensive line, but the defensive front seven is just as depleted.

Five of last year’s seven starting defensive linemen and linebackers are gone, including Preston Smith, Benardrick McKinney and Matt Wells, who are now playing in the NFL. Those starting on the front seven this year are all juniors and seniors, which is a better situation for the Bulldogs than having to throw in a bunch of underclassmen before they develop.

Junior defensive tackle and former five-star recruit Chris Jones will be the key to the success of the front seven this season and the Bulldogs are relying on him to emerge as an even bigger force than he has been.

After an impressive freshman year, Jones served as a key reserve last season but did not start any games. He and the defense’s leader, linebacker Beniquez Brown, will be looked upon to make it a painless transition from last year to this one.

4. THE BACKFIELD BATTLE

Junior running back Ashton Shumpert sits atop the depth chart now, but many think Dontavian Lee or Aeris Williams will eventually win starting job this season.

Both could up providing a great one-two punch that will also have some Brandon Holloway thrown in there. But Lee and Williams excited Bulldogs fans with impressive springs.

Shumpert is a good all-around back that isn’t great in one area but also isn’t bad in any. He won’t give up the starting job easy, but having multiple talented runners playing with something to prove isn’t necessarily bad to have.

SDS TAKEAWAY

The turnover won’t be easy to overcome and makes 10 wins sound steep. But after tasting the joys of a No. 1 ranking last year, fan expectations won’t be going anywhere.

How many deficiencies can Prescott — the Heisman Trophy hopeful — cover up? Can he take over a few games so that the Bulldogs pull off some SEC West upsets? Only time will tell, but a competitive team that is good enough to make a bowl game at the end of the season should be expected in Starkville.