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: Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS – NOVEMBER 11: Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)

Mississippi State’s Secondary Should Be Improved In 2018

Mississippi State football has struggled at time to defend the pass over the past few years. Back in 2013, Mississippi State gave up 205.2 yards through the air per game. That number spiked in 2014 when MSU allowed 272.8 passing yards per game.

In 2015, things got better as Mississippi State’s secondary, when coached by Manny Diaz, held opponents to 216.5 passing yards per game. But, in 2016, with Peter Sirmon leading things, the Mississippi State Bulldogs gave up 281.5 passing yards per game.

For the record, that’s really, really bad.

Things improved quite a bit in 2017 as Mississippi State held opponents to 174.7 passing yards per game, but things can still be better. And a lot of that will have to do with how quickly the Bulldogs can get to the quarterback next year.