Mississippi State football: 3 areas to improve vs. Western Michigan

Mississippi State football’s defense needs to get off the field on third down

This is an area that the Bulldogs actually did a decent job with (for the most part) on Saturday against an Alabama offense that was explosive but relatively inconsistent. But if the Bulldogs are going to get some wins down the stretch of this season, they’ll need to continue to improve on third downs.

Against Alabama, the Bulldogs were able to hold the Crimson Tide to five for 12 on converting third downs.

That’s not great, but it’s not awful. On the season, Mississippi State is allowing teams to convert on over 40 percent of their third downs.

Again, that’s not great, but it’s not awful. It’s something the Bulldogs could theoretically improve upon as the season goes on. For what it’s worth, last year’s MSU defense allowed opponents to convert on 34 percent of third downs.

Given the depth issues and injury problems and so on and so forth that the Bulldogs are experiencing, shortening opposing drives would be great to see. But that likely involves the Bulldogs experimenting and finding some ways to change coverage and pressure quarterbacks on passing downs.

And that’s almost certainly easier blogged about than it is done.