So, is Chris Relf injured or not? Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen isn’t saying.

But according to a published report, a member of the Bulldogs noted that Relf has a finger injury. For what it’s worth, both Relf and redshirt freshman Tyler Russell are listed at the top of the depth chart entering the Bulldogs’ season-opening game on Saturday at home against Memphis.

Relf, a junior, missed the team’s fan day event on Saturday with what Mullen described as “family” issues.

Having Relf healthy is key for MSU’s hopes in the Southeastern Conference West Division. Relf came on strong at the end of last season, rushing for 68 yards against Arkansas, then followed that with 131 yards and a touchdown on the ground against Ole Miss.

Relf finished 22-for-41 passing on the season for 283 yards.

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Following last season’s 5-7 record, the Mississippi State Bulldogs are hoping for a move up in the SEC West standings in 2010.

That road to respectability and beyond will be navigated by three players selected to the second team of the All-Southeastern Conference Coaches’ Team. The team, picked by the conference’s coaches, was announced on Tuesday, in advance of SEC Media Days.

Landing on the second team for the Bulldogs were senior offensive lineman Derek Sherrod, senior defensive lineman Pernell McPhee and senior linebacker K.J. Wright.

The Bulldogs finished tied with Arkansas and Auburn for fourth in the SEC West at 3-5 in conference play last season. Playing better at home will be a must: the Bulldogs finished 2-5 in home games.

Defending SEC and national champion Alabama placed six players on the first team. Florida, which won the SEC East but lost to the Tide in the conference title game, put 10 players total on the first and second teams.

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Home games in four of its first five games in 2010 give the Mississippi State football team can hit the ground running in 2010.

The Bulldogs only leave Starkville once before Oct. 9, providing Mississippi State with a great chance to start fast in the new season. Taking advantage of all those home games in the early weeks of the season is critical to the Bulldogs’ hopes of improving on last season.

Mississippi State finished 2009 at the bottom of the Southeastern Conference’s Western Division. The Bulldogs ended last season dead last in the SEC West, tied with Arkansas and Auburn at 3-5 in conference play. Mississippi State’s 5-7 overall record was the second-worst in the SEC, ahead of Vanderbilt’s 2-10 showing.

The 2010 slate begins with back-to-back home games, Sept. 4 against Memphis and Sept. 9 against Auburn. Following a Sept. 18 trip to Baton Rouge to face LSU, the Bulldogs are back home the next two weeks, facing Georgia on Sept. 25 and playing host to Alcorn State on Oct. 2.

Of course, with so many home games early, the late-season schedule is tough. A two-game road trip to Houston and Florida follows the early-season home slate. Two home games then are next, against UAB on Oct. 23 and vs. Kentucky on Oct. 30. Following the bye week, Mississippi State travels to play defending national champion and SEC title holder Alabama, pops home for a game against Arkansas, and finishes the regular season at Ole Miss on Nov. 27.

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