While the glow of the Egg Bowl victory lingers for Mississippi State, I say it's time to take a very premature look at next season's lineup possibilities. So over the next couple of days, I'll examine each position, looking at who's back, who's gone, and what we might see on the field come the Sept. 4 season opener against Memphis.

Keep in mind, I'm not going to include 2010 commitments in this analysis, because they haven't signed yet, which means we don't know if they're actually coming (well, there is one notable exception I included). So, let's take a look first at the offense, which is losing four starters, and then we'll hit defense and special teams tomorrow.

Quarterback

-2009 starter: Tyson Lee, Sr.; 2009 backup: Chris Relf, So.

-2010 top candidates: Relf; Tyler Russell, Fr.

-Analysis: You can add Cameron Newton as a candidate – if the juco prospect signs with MSU, which seems highly probable. Otherwise, it's Russell's job to lose. The question is what to do with Relf, who proved himself an effective weapon, rushing for 500 yards. And he'll be the only QB with SEC experience.

-Likely Week 1 starter: Newton, if he comes; otherwise, Russell.

Tailback

-2009 starter: Anthony Dixon, Sr.; 2009 backups: Christian Ducré, Sr.; Arnil Stallworth, Sr.

-2010 top candidates: Robert Elliott, So.; Montrell Conner, Fr.; LaDarius Perkins, Fr.

-Analysis: MSU led the SEC in rushing this year, but don't expect that to happen in '10. It's a suddenly thin position, with Elliott (221 yards, 1 TD) the only returning runner with experience, but he doesn't have the makeup of an every-down back. Expect it to be a by-committee approach.

-Likely Week 1 starter: Tough to say, but we'll go with Elliott, mostly by default. I think Conner (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) can ultimately take over this job, though.

Fullback

-2009 starter: Patrick Hanrahan, Jr.; 2009 backup: Sylvester Hemphill, RFr.

-2010 top candidates: Hanrahan; Hemphill; William Shumpert, Fr.

-Analysis: Technically, Hanrahan only started one game – as did Hemphill – but that's because the fullback isn't utilized as much in Mullen's spread offense as in a pro style offense. But Hanrahan played a big role, and it's his job to lose.

-Likely Week 1 starter: Hanrahan

Wide Receivers

-2009 starters: Brandon McRae, Sr.; O'Neal Wilder, RFr.; Chad Bumphis, Fr.; 2009 backups: Leon Berry, Jr.; Tay Bowser, Sr.; Brandon Heavens, Fr.; Chris Smith, Fr.

-2010 top candidates: Wilder; Bumphis; Berry; Heavens; Smith; Dennis Thames, Fr.; Ricco Sanders, Fr.

-Analysis: Bumphis, who started six games, led the Bulldogs in receiving (375 yards, 4 TDs), which tells you two things: A) He's very talented; B) MSU was very thin at the position. And it will still be thin, but at least most of the guys return. Question is, can Bumphis take it to another level, and can Berry (170 yards, 0 TDs) become a go-to guy like he thought he could before the season?

-Likely Week 1 starters: Bumphis, Wilder, Berry.

Tight end

-2009 starter: Marcus Green, Jr.; 2009 backup: Kendrick Cook, So.

-2010 top candidate: Green

-Analysis: An injury-free Green has so far fulfilled his promise as a matchup nightmare and playmaker. He was second on the team with 27 catches for 306 yards and 3 TDs, and this job belongs to him. Cook is brought in to block.

-Likely Week 1 starter: Green.

Center

-2009 starter: J.C. Brignone, Jr.; 2009 backup: D.J. Looney, So.

-2010 top candidate: Brignone

-Analysis: Brignone was rock solid here, with Looney seeing action in only three games. Whichever QB takes over, Brignone will be a steadying presence for him.

-Likely Week 1 starter: Brignone.

Left tackle

-2009 starter: Derek Sherrod, Jr.; 2009 backup: Chris Spencer, Sr.

-2010 top candidate: Sherrod

-Analysis: Sherrod, a second-team All-SEC pick by the coaches, has this spot locked down. The 6-7, 300-pounder is the Bulldogs' best offensive lineman and was a big reason MSU gave up just 20 sacks, 16 fewer than last season.

-Likely Week 1 starter: Sherrod.

Left guard

-2009 starter: Quentin Saulsberry, So.; 2009 backup: Mark Melichar, Jr.

-2010 top candidates: Saulsberry; Melichar; Templeton Hardy, RFr.

-Analysis: Saulsberry had to switch from right tackle in 2008 to here this fall, and while he didn't seem as overwhelmed, he had too many false-start penalties and hasn't looked like a long-term solution yet (Melichar played every game). Hardy was expected to vie for the starters' job but hasn't been fully healthy.

-Likely Week 1 starter: Saulsberry, but it wouldn't stun me to see Hardy.

Right tackle

-2009 starter: Addison Lawrence, So.; 2009 backup: Phillip Freeman, Jr.

-2010 top candidates: Lawrence; Freeman; Gabriel Jackson, Fr.

-Analysis: Another position that seems wide open. Freeman played in 11 games, and both he and Lawrence should be pushed by Jackson, a highly rated prospect who played tackle all four years of high school.

-Likely Week 1 starter: Lawrence, but that's a shaky nod I give him.

Right guard

-2009 starter: Craig Jenkins, Sr.; 2009 backup: Tobias Smith, RFr.

-2010 top candidate: Smith

-Analysis: Smith was named the starter in August, but then he had to have ankle surgery, and he never fully recovered. The 6-3, 300-pounder should win this job – if he gets healthy and stays that way.

-Likely Week 1 starter: Smith.