South Alabama @ Mississippi State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2014 ) Mississippi State 35, South Alabama 3

Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen joked with the media Monday when he announced "Nick Williams" as his starting quarterback, but replacing Dak Prescott will be no laughing matter as the Bulldogs prepare to open their season against visiting South Alabama on Saturday. Mullen actually has to choose between sophomore Nick Fitzgerald and junior Damian Williams, telling reporters: "It's sorting itself out. To this day, no one has jumped up and separated himself to be the guy.''

"The guy" will have a tough time filling the shoes of "the man" as Prescott prepares to start for the Dallas Cowboys in his rookie season in place of injured Tony Romo. Fitzgerald showed promise in a limited role last season, completing 11-of-14 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns, and added three rushing scores while Williams redshirted. Mississippi State was picked to finish last in the West Division in the SEC preseason media poll and has an opportunity to better its preseason rating for the fifth consecutive season. The Jaguars, who were picked to finish seventh out of 11 teams in the Sun Belt Conference preseason poll, lost to Nebraska and North Carolina State by a combined 111-22 last season.

TV: Noon ET, SEC Network. LINE: Mississippi State -28

ABOUT SOUTH ALABAMA (2015: 5-7): The Jaguars have a new starting quarterback for the fifth straight season as sophomore Dallas Davis (11-for-23, one touchdown, one interception in 2015) takes the reins. Davis's top two targets are expected to be senior wide receiver Josh Magee, an all-Sun Belt preseason second-team pick who averaged 21.9 yards on 23 receptions last season, and senior tight end Gerald Everett, an all-Sun Belt preseason first-team choice who tied a school record with eight TD catches in 2015. The defense is expected to be led by junior cornerback Jeremy Reaves, an all-Sun Belt preseason first-team selection who recorded a pair of interceptions last season as a safety.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (2015: 9-4): The Bulldogs also lost their top rusher (Prescott) as senior running back Brandon Holloway (413 yards, zero touchdowns) is the top returning ball carrier. Senior wide receiver Fred Ross (team bests of 88 catches and 1,007 yards last season with five TDs) is the active leader in receptions among SEC players with 127. Sophomore safety Brandon Bryant, a preseason all-SEC selection, recorded a team-high three interceptions last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mississippi State, which is one of five SEC teams to reach a bowl game in every season this decade (Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Texas A&M), has won 11 consecutive regular-season non-conference games.

2. Bulldogs senior DL Nick James was arrested for public intoxication early Sunday morning. James played in all 13 games last season (10 starts) and recorded 26 tackles - three for loss - and forced a fumble.

3. Mississippi State won both meetings by a combined 65-13, including 35-3 in the most recent encounter in 2014.

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 45, South Alabama 14