Mississippi State Football: 18 Thoughts on 2018 season

STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 11: Aeris Williams #22 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs dives in for the touchdown as Keith Holcombe #42 and Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide try to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 11: Aeris Williams #22 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs dives in for the touchdown as Keith Holcombe #42 and Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide try to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
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STARKVILLE, MS – NOVEMBER 11: Mississippi State Bulldogs fans cheer during the second half of an NCAA football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Davis Wade Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS – NOVEMBER 11: Mississippi State Bulldogs fans cheer during the second half of an NCAA football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Davis Wade Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)

I Trust Bob Shoop’s Defense, Mostly Because Of How Talented And Loaded It Is

This isn’t a knock on Bob Shoop. But, well, I really think the biggest reason this defense will succeed in 2018 is because of how much experience is returning on this roster for him to utilize this season.

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Bob Shoop is the 5th defensive coordinator in Starkville in as many years. Mostly because during the end of the Dan Mullen era, Mullen couldn’t hold onto a defensive coordinator at all. In 2014, MSU had Geoff Collins. During 2015, Mississippi State had Manny Diaz (for the second time). In 2016, Peter Sirmon coached one of the worst defenses in the nation. And, in 2017, Todd Grantham arrived.

Now, it’s Bob Shoop’s turn.

I think there might be some unfair preconceptions of Shoop given how things played out at Tennessee when he was hired by the Volunteers. Also, given how good Todd Grantham’s defense was, some fans were possibly disappointed by this hire.

Still, Bob Shoop is a good defensive coordinator. Mississippi State football should still have a good defense in 2018. And, with a team that is returning 17 full-time starters from last season as well as several other huge contributors off the bench, fans have to be excited about the potential of this team.