If you’re looking to rev up some tailgate banter this fall, the Mount Rushmore discussion is a great place to start. Not only does it encompass the usual debate fodder, but there’s something about the larger-than-life specter of 60-foot faces carved in stone that seems to demand more from the conversation.

It’s not enough to lean on stats — we have to consider impact and influence. Simple excellence is not enough. We’re looking for legendary.

With that in mind, we present our list of Mississippi State’s most deserving candidates. Just missing the cut are former Bulldogs greats Anthony Dixon, Jackie Parker, Kent Hull and Fred Smoot, among many others.

Who’s in?

Dak Prescott, QB

It’s all but impossible to put current players in their proper historical context. Unless it’s Dak Prescott at Mississippi State. Then it’s a no-brainer.

With another year to play, Prescott is on the verge of re-writing the Bulldogs’ record books. With 700 passing yards and two passing scores, he’ll become the school’s all-time leader in both categories. Which, fine. Offenses are much more prolific through the air these days, making it kind of unfair to just compare stats across eras.

But with Prescott, we’re just getting started. He’s also 14th all-time in rushing yards, and with 625 more yards this season, he’ll finish his career in the school’s top five in that category, as well. He’s also second in rushing touchdowns with 31, and Anthony Dixon’s all-time mark of 42 is not out of reach.

On top of all the individual accolades, he also carried the Bulldogs to one of their best seasons last year, including a five-week stay at No. 1 and their highest finish in the AP poll since 1940.

Career numbers: 5,583 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns; 1,933 rushing yards, 31 rushing touchdowns

Individual superlatives: First team All SEC (2014), eighth in 2014 Heisman voting (highest ever for a Mississippi State player)

Allyn McKeen, coach

McKeen may not have the widespread name recognition of other all-time SEC greats, but his contributions to the foundations of the Mississippi State football program won’t be forgotten.

Leading the Bulldogs from 1939-1948, he’s responsible for the only SEC championship in school history (1941) and the highest finish in the AP poll in school history (No. 9, 1940).

He ranks second in school history in total wins, first all-time in winning percentage, and was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.

D.D. Lewis, Linebacker

Lewis never got to experience a winning season in Starkville, but that can’t be blamed on him. The standout linebacker was a two-time All-SEC pick and a first-team All-American in 1967.

After a 14-year career in the NFL as a stalwart member of the Dallas Cowboys’ Doomsday Defense, Lewis was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.

Individual superlatives: All SEC (1966-67), SEC Defensive Player of the Year, (1967), UPI first team All America (1967).

Johnie Cooks, linebacker

A hulking 6-foot-4, 250-pounder in an era when college linebackers often tipped the scales at an even 200, Cooks was a freakish athlete and fronted the defense for some of the Bulldogs’ best teams of the generation. Nearly 35 years later, he still ranks fifth all-time at the school in tackles, fourth in sacks and third in tackles for loss.

After three winning seasons in Starkville, including a Hall of Fame Bowl win in his finale, he was the No.2 overall pick in the 1982 NFL draft.

Career numbers: 392 tackles, 24 sacks, 35 tackles for loss

Individual superlatives: AP first team All America (1981); first team All SEC (1980-81)