J.C. Brignone couldn’t do so much as one pull-up when he came to Mississippi State as a freshman. Now he can rip off several at once, which speaks to the offensive line’s transformation since head coach Dan Mullen arrived in December of 2008.

Mullen brought in strength and conditioning coach Matt Balis, and the line’s improvement was immediate.

The season prior to Mullen’s arrival, the Bulldogs gave up 37 sacks – third-worst in the SEC – and averaged 100.6 rushing yards per game (11th). Last season, the sack total fell to 20 while the rushing average jumped to a league-leading 227.6.

Brignone (6-foot-1, 300 pounds), a senior center, said Balis has taught the players how to push past their limits.

“It’s just getting past that mental aspect of saying, ‘Oh my God, I’m getting tired,’” Brignone said.

While the departed Anthony Dixon, MSU’s all-time leading rusher, deserves much credit for the improved running game last year, he wouldn’t have gotten all those yards without the line play.

Four of the 2009 starters are back: Brignone, left tackle Derek Sherrod, left guard Quentin Saulsberry, and right tackle Addison Lawrence.

Tobias Smith, who was pegged to start last year before an injury sidelined him, will take over at right guard.

The line will need to take it up a notch as MSU seeks Dixon’s replacement.

“I think we have a chance to have one of the top offensive lines in the Southeastern Conference this year,” said Mullen.

Each week, we’ll look at a different position for Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Last week: Defensive line. Next week: Special teams. For more college football news read today's NEMS Daily Journal newspaper.