It goes without saying that Mississippi State senior running back Anthony Dixon has had a stellar season, but I’m going to say it anyway.

He’s meant everything to the Bulldogs, and I’m not sure how many games over and above that Jackson State contest that they would have won without him. Remember, he was suspended for that game.

I still have a hard time believing he didn’t make the final 10 for the Doak Walker Award.

Just look at the Alabama game last week. Dixon’s 140 all-purpose yards in the 31-3 loss were the most an opposing running back has managed against the Crimson Tide this season, and they’ve faced some pretty good backs.

Among them: Virginia Tech’s Ryan Williams, Ole Miss’ Dexter McCluster, Arkansas’ Michael Smith, LSU’s Charles Scott and Tennessee’s Montario Hardesty.

Dixon has 1,082 rushing yards heading into these last two games and is second in the SEC behind Alabama’s Mark Ingram with an average of 120.2 yards per game.

But even more impressive than his numbers are the way he’s become a leader on this team. He’s challenging his teammates to believe this week. The Bulldogs (4-6, 2-4) still aren’t out of the bowl picture, but they need to win at Arkansas this week and then against Ole Miss at home in two weeks to get the required six wins.

If they do it, you can bet Dixon will be a big part of those wins. He’s been the heartbeat of this team all season.