The Mississippi State Bulldogs will play host to the Southern Miss Golden Eagles for the first time in 24 years when the two teams begin their 2014 seasons on Saturday.

The Bulldogs are entering one of their most highly anticipated seasons ever. The Golden Eagles, however, are just looking to build upon last season’s 1-11 record, which was an improvement from their 0-12 mark in 2012.

Needless to say, Mississippi State is a heavy favorite in this one (by more than 30 points). Simply beating Southern Miss may help in-state bragging rights, but it will take more than a modest victory for MSU to consider the game a success.

Here is a guide for determining whether the Bulldogs showdown with the Golden Eagles can be considered a success:

  1. Dak Prescott throws for 200 yards and rushes for 50: Prescott is a dual-threat quarterback who is as dangerous in the ground game as he is through the air. A lot is expected of the junior signal caller this season, and it will be important he assert himself as both a runner and a passer in this game. Prescott cannot regularly abandon pass plays to run around on his own accord, but he would benefit from using his dynamic athleticism to his advantage from time to time. Prescott ran for a team-high 829 yards last season but threw for less than 2,000. If he can find a better balance between throwing and running against a USM defense lacking in playmakers, it will be a good sign in his development.
  2. Josh Robinson rushes for 100 yards: Dan Mullen’s offenses at MSU have worked best in years past when he’s had a talented tailback to feed the ball to regularly, whether it be Anthony Dixon, Vick Ballard or LaDarius Perkins. Robinson could be Mullen’s next 1,000 yard back, and a 100-yard day on Saturday would be an ideal way to start. Mississippi State still hasn’t said who will get the start at right tackle in place of the injured Damien Robinson, and if Josh Robinson can reach the century mark anyway, it would be a promising sign for both him and the offensive line.
  3. Jameon Lewis has at least five catches and at least one carry: The Bulldogs’ versatile jack-of-all-trades weapon scored touchdowns three different ways last seasons, and should be able to attack the Golden Eagles’ defense in a number of ways Saturday if all goes well. Catching at least five passes would show Lewis is more than just a gadget player, and instead is someone Prescott can rely on regularly in obvious passing situations. Getting at least one carry would show he can still be a versatile weapon defenses must keep an eye on wherever he is on the field. Expect Lewis to make a big impact on this game in any and every way imaginable.
  4. The Bulldogs defense holds Southern Miss to under 175 yards passing: Despite losing safety Nickoe Whitley to the NFL, Mississippi State returns both its starting corners in Jamerson Love and Taveze Calhoun on a veteran-laden Bulldogs defense. Nick Mullens was shaky in stints as the Golden Eagles’ quarterback last season, and if the MSU defense can hold him to under 175 yards passing it could be the result of solid secondary play and an above-average pass rush up front. Neither would be a bad thing for the Bulldogs this season.
  5. Chris Jones records at least two tackles for loss: Jones wasn’t listed with the first team on Dan Mullen’s depth chart this week, but he is sure to see the field plenty on Saturday. As a freshman in 2013, Jones proved to be one of the most powerful and overwhelming defensive linemen in the conference, and he is only bigger, stronger and more experienced as a new season begins. The Golden Eagles will likely throw consistent double-teams his way, maybe even a few triple-teams, but if Jones can get himself into the USM backfield a handful of times for the game it would be a good indicator of what this defensive line is capable of this season.