What We Learned: Mississippi State Versus Texas A&M

Oct 3, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Tra Carson (5) is tackled by Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Richie Brown (39) during the first half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Biggest Problem on Defense

The defense got off to a really slow start. They gave up scoring drives on the first two drives of the game. It wasn’t pretty.

But after that, they buckled down. Yes, they gave up just over 500 yards, but that isn’t the biggest problem. In 2015, the Bulldogs have only forced 3 turnovers.

This has to change. The reason the defense employed by Manny Diaz worked in 2010 was because they created turnovers. While the defense improved as the game progressed and Manny Diaz made some nice adjustments, the Bulldogs aren’t making any game changing plays on the defensive side of the ball. At some point, the defense has to start creating turnovers and shorten the field and steal field position from the other team.

And that falls on the shoulders of Manny Diaz to put the players in a position to make the play.

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