MSU Should Break the Record for Passing Yards in 2012

The most passing yards a Mississippi State team has ever had in one season is 2,637 (1978). Yes, that is embarrassing to have as your record. For those that dismiss Chris Relf as a quality QB for State, his 2010 team is tied for 4th all-time at 2,424 yards with Kevin Fant's 2003 team. Fant also led the 2002 team to the 2nd best season with 2,611 passing yards. 1999's weak link passing offense ranks 3rd all-time (2,433).

As I mentioned in our Quarterbacks and WR/TE Preview in April, MSU should break this record. With TE Marcus Green having been granted a 6th year of eligibility, I feel like this should be done relatively easily. The Dawgs now return 87% of their receiving yards from 2011.

With Tyler Russell taking the snaps, conventional wisdom from everyone who has ever watched a football game is that Mullen will throw the ball more. Considering that 2011's mediocre passing attack was less than 300 yards from breaking the all-time record, I think a full year with Russell throwing the ball will get it done.

At wide receiver, State brings in the highly-touted redshirt freshman Joe Morrow to add to that 87%. There are four senior WRs, a senior TE, three talented sophomore WRs and two sophomore TEs, plus Morrow. I'm not going to say these are the best weapons in the SEC, but with that many guys who have experience + talent, it should be enough to get the job done.

It's time to sling the pigskin and break some records.

I think MSU can hit the 2,900 mark this year....relatively speaking, obliterating the record - ha. That's 223 yards per game including a bowl game. Here are my projections for the passing game...

Passing
Russell - 2,600 yards
Prescott - 300

Receiving
Clark - 500 yards
Smith - 450
Morrow - 400
Bumphis - 350
M. Johnson - 250
Lewis - 250
Sanders - 200
Green - 150
Heavens - 100
Perkins - 100
Griffin - 100
R. Johnson - 50