Note: This is part 4 of a 12-part series. Each day, we will take a look at an opponent for the upcoming 2010 football season.
After a few unexpected days off, we pick our 12 Teams series back up with Alcorn State. Alcorn State is another Mississippi member of the SWAC, and after last year's season opening matchup with Jackson State, this game should be no surprise on the schedule. It is great to see State reaching out to the other schools in Mississippi besides The School Up North.
Since Alcorn State is a smaller school, it was hard to find much information on them. Their head coach, Earnest Collins, is in his second year at the helm. They won only 3 games in their 2009 campaign, but they were quality wins over Mississippi Valley State, Alabama A & M, and arch-rival Jackson State. They return 8 starters on offense, but are still searching for a starting QB. They also return 9 starters on a defense that should keep them in most games, but the offense will be a big question for them this year.
This game will be a welcome break for the Bulldogs after a grueling 3-game SEC stint. It will also be the last home game before going on the road to Houston and Florida. Look for the Mississippi State to take this game as an opportunity to heal some players that will undoubtedly be dinged up and to work on fixing some issues that may arise during the first four games.