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College football 2018: Biggest X-factor on every Top 25 team

By Derek Grochowski

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 30: Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts after a tackle for loss against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 30: Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts after a tackle for loss against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

19. Montez Sweat, Mississippi State

The Western division of the SEC is no place for weak teams. The Mississippi State Bulldogs are certainly not a weak team. They have held their own in the SEC for a long time, in 2018 they are ready to make a statement and beat some big teams.

A lot of that starts with getting Nick Fitzgerald back fully healthy. He was a difference maker for that team he will not win games with his arm but he will not put the ball into dangerous places. After breaking his leg against Ole Miss, Bulldog fans are hoping he will still have his mobility. He was one of the hard quarterbacks to track down and that made him a much better quarterback.

With all of that said Fitzgerald is not Mississippi State’s x-factor this season. The defense will be the story of this team moving forward. The front seven is elite and one of the best complete units in the country. The x-factor will be the senior defensive end, Montez Sweat. He had a strong year last year with 10.5 sacks. With a lot of the pieces on the defensive line returning similar production should be expected from Sweat.

Pressure off the edge will be important as the season goes on and the competition gets tougher. Early in the year, the Bulldogs do not have a lot of tough hurdles to clear. Once SEC play starts the schedule gets much tougher and the quality of quarterbacks also gets better. It will be crucial to get the quarterbacks off balance and uncomfortable.

Sweat will be in the backfield causing a lot of havoc. This year’s draft is full of top defensive linemen. If Sweat can have another strong season and the Bulldogs can pull off some upsets he can work his way to the top of the draft.