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STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State is out to prove its recent jump in Southeastern Conference status is no fluke.The Bulldogs program has enjoyed nearly unprecedented success over the past two years, largely thanks to star quarterback Dak Prescott. But Prescott is now in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, leaving Mississippi State to fend for itself in the difficult Western Division.Safety Brandon Bryant is among the young players who said Mississippi State will miss Prescott, but can be successful without him.There are new faces and new names on every team in the SEC, Bryant said. Everyone in the SEC has the talent, were just ready to go out there for everyone to display it and start playing.Preseason camp started with four quarterbacks -- Nick Fitzgerald, Damian Williams, Elijah Staley and Nick Tiano -- fighting for the job. That list dropped to three when Staley was granted his release and will transfer.Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen is confident all of them can run the teams offense, which has often been dependent on the quarterbacks ability to be a dual threat.There isnt a guy that isnt a good runner so were not limiting you, Mullen said before Staleys departure. None of the skill sets of any of the four quarterbacks is going to limit what we do.The Bulldogs do have some experience returning on defense. Linebacker Richie Brown should anchor the middle of the field after leading the team with 109 tackles last season, including 13 for a loss. Defensive end A.J. Jefferson had 13 1/2 tackles for a loss last season and veterans like Bryant and Kivon Coman will lead the secondary.Here are a few other things to know about Mississippi State:LISTEN TO THE SIRMON: Mississippi States defense will be led by new coordinator Peter Sirmon. The 39-year-old, who played seven seasons in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans from 2000-06, comes to the Bulldogs after two seasons at Southern California. Sirmon says hes pleased that his players have adapted to his coaching so quickly. Said Bryant: Its been demanding, but its been great. With all new coaches it is different, but they came in with the attitude of making us all better. We fixed what we needed to do in the spring, now were just ready to roll.ROSS, HOLLOWAY KEYS TO OFFENSE: Mississippi State might still be looking for a quarterback, but it already has some experienced playmakers. Senior receiver Fred Ross returns after catching 88 passes for 1,007 yards and five touchdowns last season. Brandon Holloway is probably the teams most versatile player -- he gained 413 yards rushing, 396 yards receiving and 567 yards on kick returns last season.KEY GAMES: The Bulldogs have four winnable SEC home games against Auburn, Arkansas, Texas A&M and South Carolina. If Mississippi State can take care of business at Davis Wade Stadium, any success on the road will be a bonus. Theres also an interesting non-conference game on the road against BYU on Oct. 14.PREDICTION: Mississippi State will miss Prescott, but should have enough talent to advance to a bowl game for a seventh straight season. The Bulldogs will be competitive in the West, though a lack of elite playmakers makes it difficult to see them near the top with programs like Alabama and LSU.SEASON OPENER: Mississippi State hosts South Alabama on Sept. 3.---Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP---AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org Russ Grimm Womens Jersey . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. Bryce Love Youth Jersey . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. https://www.redskinssportsgoods.com/Womens-Sean-Taylor-Inverted-Jersey/ . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Terry McLaurin Womens Jersey . The Redskins announced Monday that the quarterback who led the team to the Super Bowl championship in the 1987 season will serve as a personnel executive. Art Monk Redskins Jersey . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester City hired Manuel Pellegrini as the clubs new manager on Friday, entrusting a man nicknamed "The Engineer" with constructing a team to reclaim the Premier League title and become a force in the Champions League. The 59-year-old Chilean has been courted for months by City following impressive spells in Spain with Villarreal and Malaga, which he left this month. He also coached Real Madrid in his nine-year stint in Spain but was fired after one season despite guiding the team to its then-record points total in La Liga. Pellegrini was appointed exactly a month after Roberto Mancini was fired for failing to capture a trophy in his third full season in charge, an indication of the expectations loaded on Citys new manager by its mega-rich owners from Abu Dhabi. "I am delighted to accept this hugely exciting opportunity," Pellegrini said. "The club has a clear vision for success both on and off the pitch and I am committed to making a significant contribution." Pellegrini signed a three-year deal, having had to wait to complete the move while contractual issues with Malaga were sorted. British media is reporting his deal is worth 15 million pounds ($23.5 million). He will take up the role from June 24 and will be managing in his fifth country in 25 years, after previous stints in Chile, Ecuador, Argentina and Spain in which he won six major trophies in total. "Manuel is a hugely experienced and successful manager with a proven track record," City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said. "We have been greatly impressed throughout the selection process by his philosophy, his attitude and his commitment to the long-term development of Manchester City. I am delighted that he has joined us." In a way, though, City is taking a gamble. Pellegrini failed to win a major title during his time in Spain and will be coaching in England for the first time. Many will look at his short stint at Madrid and say he is yet to prove himself at the highest level, that he flopped despite having at his disposal the most expensively assembled squad in the history of the Spanish league. Look deeper, though, and it is easy to see why City executives Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain -- former Barcelona officials charged with developing Citys long-term strategy -- have turned to a laid-back coach known for his man-management skills and ability to get the best out of players. Pellegrini, who speaks English, overachieved at Villarreal and Malaga, leading the former to the Champions League semifinals in 2006 and an unprecedented second-place finish in La Liga and the latter to the quarterfinals of Europes top competition last season. He was also harshly dealt with by the powerbrokers at Madrid -- told which players to keep, whom to sell and with some bought without his consent. Madrid finished its one and only season under Pellegrini with 96 points, a club record at the time, despite being without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo for six weeks.dddddddddddd But the team finished second after coming up against the all-conquering Barcelona side of Pep Guardiola. Having also failed to get Madrid past the last 16 of the Champions League, he was fired and succeeded by Jose Mourinho. In firing Mancini, City said it wanted a coach who could "develop a holistic approach to all aspects of football at the club," and Pellegrini proved at Villarreal and Malaga that he could bring through youngsters as well as have an eye for talent in the transfer market. Soriano and Begiristain clearly want City to mimic the model followed so successfully by Barca, where all the teams -- from youth to senior level -- play with the same style and philosophy. This may be a three-year deal for Pellegrini but City is planning long-term. "Manuel is a very experienced coach with a recognized ability to get the most out of his players and build cohesive teams," Soriano said. "He shares the clubs approach to football and our ambition to achieve on-field success, co-ordinating with the wider football support teams to ensure natural progression from the academy to senior level." Pellegrini will have a star-studded squad at his disposal that has been supplemented during the past week by the signings of Brazil midfielder Fernandinho and Spain winger Jesus Navas for about 50 million pounds ($78 million), with City acting quickly this off-season after missing out on its main targets last off-season. That brings its own pressure, with Pellegrini knowing he is unlikely to last beyond next summer without winning the English title or going deep in the Champions League, the tournament in which City has failed to get out of its group in the past two years. Last month, Soriano set the club a target of five trophies in the next five seasons. Under Pellegrinis stewardship, there is unlikely to be any of the dressing-room bust-ups or training-pitch clashes that scarred Mancinis 3 1/2-year reign and led to increasing disharmony in the squad. A civil engineering graduate -- hence his moniker -- he is a placid character, typically popular among players and fans and respected in the media. Pellegrini will appreciate the opportunity he has been given at a time of flux at the top of the Premier League. With no more Alex Ferguson at United and Chelsea also changing managers this off-season, the former Chile defender has a chance to establish City as the leading force in England -- just as Mancini had before the Italian messed up. "Everything is in place for Manchester City to continue to be successful," Pellegrini said, "and I am excited to be able to work with such a talented squad, the executive team and the board to deliver for fans who are renowned for their steadfast support." ' ' '