E-mail Pete Fiutak 
Follow me … @PeteFiutak 

Every time any good player puts up huge numbers in a big game the inevitable “he’s in the Heisman chase” comments always follow no matter what. In this case, though, it truly applies to Dak Prescott. 

The spotlight was on after his tremendous performance in the win over LSU, and Prescott outplayed Kenny Hill – helped by the A&M receiving corps that seemingly dropped every other pass like it was a hot burrito – and now get ready for the media crush after the 48-31 win. 

Prescott is a good leader and a terrific story, acting and looking the Face of the Program part, but all this was is a chance to get in the discussion for both the Heisman and the SEC championship. That was great, Mississippi State. That was phenomenal, Dak. 

No get ready for Auburn next week. And Arkansas in a few weeks. And the trip to Alabama. And the trip to Ole Miss. 

But for now, for this week, for the next few days before the defending SEC champs make the trip to Cowbell Country, It’s all about Prescott as the Big New Thing in college football after a nearly-perfect day with big runs, bigger passes, and five total touchdowns with two through the air and three on the ground in a dominant day to make Mississippi State look like a real, live SEC title contender. 

Making it more impressive was that MSU did it without its top receiver – Jameon Lewis, who was out with a leg injury – and its mainstay leader on the offensive line – center Dillon Day, who was suspended for being too stompy. It didn’t matter for Prescott, who went about his business and did to A&M what A&M usually does to everyone else. 

So now, yeah, Prescott really and truly is in the Heisman chase, and if the world were to end right now, he’d probably deserve it. But again, both Prescott and MSU can’t rest for a second. From all indications, it doesn’t seem like either will. 

E-mail Rich Cirminiello 
Follow me … @RichCirminiello 

Good news, Bulldogs, you just might be this year’s Auburn. Bad news? Your coach is rapidly moving up the short list of ADs across the country. 

Mississippi State is for real. Like playoff contender for real. This is a complete team, physical on defense and diverse on offense. And with a resume that already includes wins at LSU and against Texas A&M, both worse than the score may have indicated, the sky is the limit in Starkville. Yeah, the schedule is brutal, with games still remaining versus Auburn, Alabama and Ole Miss, but the Bulldogs have the markings of a special collection of talent in 2014. 

Of course, coaches don’t typically view Starkville, one of the toughest places to recruit in the SEC, a destination spot. If you can survive the myriad challenges of this gig, it’s a stepping stone, ideally a bridge to a big promotion. And that’s the only sobering aspect of today’s blowout of the Aggies. It’s going to confirm in the minds many decision-makers that 42-year-old Dan Mullen, after five-plus years at Mississippi State, is ready for a big raise and the next chapter of his career. His stock has never been higher, and he knows how fleeting that can be in this profession. 

It’s a great day to be a Bulldog, the new darling of the SEC West. Start the backup plan, though, Mississippi State. A young coach as buzzy as Mullen is these days will be very difficult to keep in Starkville beyond the 2014 season.