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What Are Reasonable Expectations For Mississippi State Football In 2018?

By Ethan Lee

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 30: Defensive back Johnathan Abram #38 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs attempts to tackle wide receiver Ryan Davis #23 of the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 30: Defensive back Johnathan Abram #38 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs attempts to tackle wide receiver Ryan Davis #23 of the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 30: Mark McLaurin #41 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs returns the second of his three interceptions in the game in the fourth quarter of the TaxSlayer Bowl against the Louisville Cardinals at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 30: Mark McLaurin #41 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs returns the second of his three interceptions in the game in the fourth quarter of the TaxSlayer Bowl against the Louisville Cardinals at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Mississippi State Fans Should Expect the Bulldogs To Have A Top Five Defense In The SEC

Last season, the Mississippi State football team experienced a rejuvenated defense. Todd Grantham came down from Louisville and repaired a defense left in shambles after Peter Sirmons’s stint in Starkville.

Enter Bob Shoop.

Shoop came down from Tennessee after answering Joe Moorhead’s call. And now, Shoop is the man tasked with taking the Bulldogs’ defense forward. He won’t have it easy as he tries to maintain the success from Grantham’s time at MSU.

But, there’s plenty of talent around for Shoop to utilize and have success with.

On the defensive front, Montez Sweat and Jeffery Simmons headline things while being supported by Chauncey Rivers and Gerri Green. And there’s plenty of depth right there ready to help when called upon.

At linebacker, MSU has Leo Lewis, Erroll Thompson, Willie Gay, and more ready to step in and play this year. There’s a few questions remaining in the secondary after some departures, but not too many to derail this defense.

Shoop is inheriting a powerful squad. A season ago it was the SEC’s 6th best defense. It’s not a stretch to expect it to be a top 5 defense in the SEC this year.

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