SURPRISE FACTOR: Mississippi State and Kamario Taylor Could STUN the SEC in 2026 Season

00:00 Discussing team performance and improvements 05:20 Evaluating team potential and challenges 06:33 Defining a surprise football season 12:06 Hiring diversity for coaching staff 13:32 Hiring strategy and coaching vision 17:16 SEC teams embracing NIL deals 21:37 College athletes eligibility discussion 23:19 Owen Heinecke's eligibility challenge   Mississippi State Bulldogs eye a breakout season as Paul Finebaum tips them to surprise the SEC. Can Kamario Taylor’s talent, Zach Arnett’s defensive influence, and a revamped offense flip last year’s close losses into wins? Jaron Spor and Landon McBride assess Finebaum’s optimism, spotlight offensive line concerns, and discuss key playmakers like Anthony Evans and Fluff Bothwell. The episode breaks down Mississippi State’s strategic off-field hire of Marshall Levenson as Assistant Director of Player Personnel, signaling the program's commitment to modern recruiting and roster building. Plus, the hosts debate the hot-button Owen Heinecke eligibility ruling and its potential to reshape NCAA fairness and player rights. Will Bulldogs fans witness the evolution they’ve been waiting for, and is a surprise eight-win season in reach?   Follow us on social media! X: @LockedOnMissSt IG: @LockedOnMississippiState TikTok: @LockedOnMississippiState   Everydayer Club   If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub     Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Rugiet Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men.   Rocket Money Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at https://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON.   Turbo Tax This year you’re getting a major upgrade — Intuit TurboTax now has in-person locations nationwide. Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today.   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.