It took coach Dan Mullen and the Mississippi State offense some time to adjust from Tyler Russell, a pocket passer, to the more mobile Dak Prescott in ’13 after the former got injured.

Though Prescott flashed good athletic ability and made some exciting plays, there was nothing to suggest he’d be one of the best quarterbacks in the nation for most of 2014.

RELATED: Best-case scenario — Prescott, Bulldogs compete for SEC West title

But Prescott inherited the offense just as Mullen figured it out, a fierce offensive line congealed and an experienced Bulldogs defense clobbered opponents up front. In just three weeks, an undefeated Mississippi State went from unranked to No. 1 in the country, eventually spending several weeks atop the initial College Football Playoff polls.

But a late-season collapse preceded a giant talent drain. Lucky for Mississippi State, Prescott decided to return to Starkville, Miss., for his senior season. Now he’ll try to duplicate his 42 touchdowns and 4,435 yards in 2015. Will Prescott’s return be enough to keep the Bulldogs near the Top 10 in the country?

WHAT THE MAGAZINES ARE SAYING

ESPN: “Last year the Bulldogs … were on the cusp of the College Football Playoff. This year Mississippi State has an uphill battle, with just seven returning starters and road trips to Auburn, Texas A&M, Missouri and Arkansas.”

Lindy’s Sports: “The Achilles’ heel for Mississippi State last year was its pass defense, as the Bulldogs allowed the most passing yards in the SEC. New coordinator Manny Diaz hopes to improve that area, but Mississippi State lost three starters from last year’s secondary, including both safeties.”

The Sporting News: “(Dak) Prescott coming back is huge, but even his enormous presence probably won’t keep the Bulldogs out of the SEC West cellar. A big part of MSU’s success last year was predicated on an offensive line that isn’t there anymore.”

Athlon Sports: “Mississippi State loses seven starters on offense and eight on defense. That much turnover won’t be easy to overcome. The expectations with the fans won’t change, though, after they tasted the promised land last year with a No. 1 ranking.”

Phil Steele: “(Mississippi State does) have Heisman contender QB Dak Prescott and a physical front 7 on D. MSU remains one of the top teams in the country but I don’t see them matching (last year’s) 10 win total.”

BEST PLAYERS

  • QB Dak Prescott
  • WR De’Runnya Wilson
  • DT Chris Jones
  • LB Beniquez Brown
  • DE Ryan Brown
  • LB Gerri Green

WHAT WE LEARNED

  • It never was going to be easy replacing four-year starter Dillon Day at center. But Mississippi State lost Day’s two backups as well. Jamaal Clayborn, a converted guard and the projected starter in ’15, hasn’t played center since youth football.
  • De’Runnya Wilson should be one of the SEC’s best receivers this year, if he can avoid further off-field trouble and continue to harness his NFL-caliber athleticism. Interestingly, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Wilson excelled in Mississippi State’s three toughest games last year. He caught a combined 25 passes for 313 yards and 3 touchdowns against Alabama, Ole Miss and Georgia Tech — all losses. Of course, the Bulldogs trailed in each of those games. Maybe the team should dial up downfield throws to Wilson earlier in games. (Stat courtesy of The Sporting News.)
  • Prescott appeared to make impressive strides as a passer this spring. But expect defenses to try to test him downfield rather than allow him and the running backs to storm to victories on the ground. Last season, MSU lost all three games in which Prescott threw at least 35 passes, according to ESPN.
  • Kicker Evan Sobiesk, 12-of-14 on field goal attempts last season, left the team to pursue a dental career. Mississippi State appears ready to hand placekicking duties to senior punter Devon Bell, who is just 6-of-14 kicking field goals at the college level. That could hamper MSU on the plus side of the field.
  • Yes, MSU must rack down on long pass plays after giving up an SEC-worst nine that went for at least 50 yards in ’14. The team also lost both starting safeties. But new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz must be careful not to overcorrect. The New England Patriots drafted Matt Wells, the team’s best coverage linebacker, in the sixth round. Pull the safeties deep all the time, send a bunch of blitzers, and opponents could take advantage in the slot.

BIGGEST AGREEMENT

The consensus among the publications is that the team’s offensive line is a huge question mark entering the fall. I agree, and think it will be the reason the team fails to repeat its ’14 magic.

Guard Ben Beckwith was an All-SEC guard. Dillon Day, a four-year starter at center, had a mean streak that sometimes raged across the wrong side of the line. But Day was a long-haired, physical tone-setter that epitomized the team’s grimy, hard-nosed attitude along the line of scrimmage. Blaine Clausell was a three-year starter at left tackle as well.

Those players weren’t touted out of high school, but developed a special cohesion and became functional assets even against strong SEC defensive lines. Josh Robinson, the bowling-ball back now in the NFL, was good, as is Dak Prescott. But the line turned them into superstars.

The defense must replace a ton of talent, and there aren’t many reasons to expect drastic improvement in the secondary. Translation: Mississippi State’s offense needs to score a lot to maintain 10-win potential. The Bulldogs are well off at every position on offense except the guys up front, and it may lead to a disappointing season.

BIGGEST DISAGREEMENT

According to The Sporting News, Ashton Shumpert and Brandon Holloway will lead a committee of ball-carriers.

While Shumpert may retain his post-spring starting role, replacing Josh Robinson, freshmen Dontavian Lee and Aeris Williams should push Shumpert hard this fall.

I expect Holloway, despite his experience, to be relegated to third or even fourth team. Lee put up the best numbers in the spring scrimmages, running through arm tackles for 53 yards on 11 carries during the spring game. His physicality and yards after contact could help mitigate the loss of three critical starters on the offensive line.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Biggest Remaining Question: How far will the play of the offensive line regress?
Consensus Projection: 7th place, SEC West
Impact Newcomers: S Jamal Peters, WR Donald Gray