Entering the 2014 season, Dan Mullen was at a bit of a crossroads in his Mississippi State tenure. The program had taken steps major steps since his predecessor Sylvester Croom was relieved of his duties in Starkville but, at the same time, MSU had never finished higher than fourth in the West under Mullen.

That changed in a big way when Hail State saw its name at the top of the first ever College Football Playoff ranking that season after beginning the season with a 9-0 record.

Now three years later, Mississippi State’s accomplishments on the field may be underrated by many heading into the 2017 campaign. In fact, since 2014, MSU has a better record than Ole Miss, Auburn, Texas A&M, Arkansas, South Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt. (While Tennessee is listed below, the Vols have the same amount of wins as MSU during the last three years — 25)

That’s a very impressive figure when you think about it. MSU also has an active seven-game bowl streak, the longest in school history. While the team took a step back on the field last season following the departure of arguably the best player in school history, Nick Fitzgerald is off to a great start in replacing Dak Prescott in the lineup.

If Fitzgerald continues his progression, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham lives up to his hype and the influx of junior college talent acquired this offseason is ready to play immediately, both of these stats should only continue to favor Hail State in the coming season.