Kellenberger: After national title game loss, Mississippi State has to wonder 'What if?'

COLUMBUS, Ohio — What if?

What if the official calls a foul as Morgan William loses the ball near midcourt? What if Victoria Vivians is able to deny the inbound pass? What if Notre Dame’s Arike Ogunbowale’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer doesn’t go down?

What if the game goes to overtime? What if Teaira McCowan is on the floor for it instead of watching from the bench, having fouled to stop the play post-William’s turnover? What if Mississippi State had been able to break down Notre Dame’s zone defense just a little bit more? What if McCowan’s shot in the final minute doesn’t roll off the rim but in? What if when Notre Dame came out in the third quarter and threw its best punch, Mississippi State had been able to jab back?

What if … what if … what if … What if for the second-straight season the losing locker room wasn’t Mississippi State’s, the Bulldogs kicking confetti and streamers away as they walked past the celebrating Fighting Irish after a national championship game that ended Notre Dame 61, Mississippi State 58?