Unlike a year ago, Mississippi State knows who the quarterback will be as the spring game approaches. Saturday’s Maroon and White game will be a chance for Nick Fitzgerald to show improvement in the passing game. He is also working with new centers and doesn’t have his best receiver back. Here are five things to look for in the scrimmage.

Someone will make their first snap

Mississippi State’s centers will be auditioning. Jamaal Clayborn was a staple at the position the past two seasons and made things a little easier during the transition from Dak Prescott to Nick Fitzgerald. Now a handful of players are vying for the opening. Coach Dan Mullen wants three centers, so Saturday’s rotation will be interesting to watch.

Fitzgerald’s decision making

Nick Fitzgerald is working this spring as the guy, as opposed to last spring as trying to be the guy. Fitzgerald had a record-breaking sophomore season – nine school records, including 1,375 rushing yards by a quarterback. He wasn’t terrible throwing the ball but left room for improvement. Fitzgerald was one of five SEC quarterbacks to throw 10 or more interceptions. Mullen talked early on in the spring about wanting to see better decision-making. Balancing that while working on the deep ball will be a challenge, especially with only one senior (Martinas Rankin) on the offensive line.

Fitzgerald’s targets

Fitzgerald used the word “phenomenal” when asked early in the spring about his receiving corps, saying the Bulldogs only lost one guy. That guy was a big loss in Fred Ross, the SEC’s sixth-leading receiver. Saturday, Fitzgerald will have to back up the phenomenal tag and make Donald Gray, Malik Dear and Keith Mixon look good against the first-team defense. Gray is the leading returning catcher with 709 yards and five touchdowns. Dear and Mixon combined for 42 catches, 492 yards and four touchdowns.

Let Simmons put the past behind him

Jeffery Simmons signed with Mississippi State as a heralded in-state 5-star defensive end. The attention turned to his off-the-field incident that involved striking a female while reportedly trying to break up a fight that involved his sister. It was an isolated incident for Simmons, who went on to have 40 tackles and four quarterback hurries. It was a transition moving from end to nose, but Simmons’ explosiveness was evident over the course of the season. He returns as part of a small group with experience and has the talent to not only lead a rebuilt line, but to be one of the SEC’s best. He of course was asked about the off-the-field incident when meeting the media for the first time the first week of March. He handled the questions with class and has earned the right to have all the questions be about his game. His game has unlimited potential. Look for some assertiveness Saturday.

Let’s see Aeris Williams be the man

Aeris Williams had 15 carries in the first five games of last season. He had 122 the rest of the way. Williams had to work his way through a crowded backfield to get his touches. When he did, they paid off. In his two highest totals of the season, the Bulldogs beat Texas A&M and Ole Miss. Williams had 24 carries and 124 yards against the Aggies and 25 carries for 191 yards against the Rebels. A spring game is a spring game, but to see Williams get the ball often would show confidence that he is now the guy in the backfield. Last season, fans wondered why he wasn’t given the nod sooner. If he isn’t given the bulk of the time Saturday, those questions still aren’t answered.