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Mississippi State football: 3 big overreactions from Bulldogs’ win vs. Arkansas

By Ethan Lee

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - OCTOBER 21: Mike Wright #14 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs throws a pass in the second half of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Bulldogs defeated the Razorbacks 7-3. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - OCTOBER 21: Mike Wright #14 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs throws a pass in the second half of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Bulldogs defeated the Razorbacks 7-3. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Mike Wright #14 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs runs the ball
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – OCTOBER 21: Mike Wright #14 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs runs the ball in the first half during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Overreaction No. 3: A bowl game is still out of reach for Arnett and the Bulldogs

On the opposite side of overreaction No. 1 sits this one.

This might be a bit positive and it’s weird to feel optimistic after that disaster of a game, but it wouldn’t be fair to say that the Bulldogs can’t make it to a bowl game. Mathematically speaking, there’s a really good chance the Mississippi State Bulldogs end up in a bowl this year.

ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Arnett a really good chance of coaching in a bowl game. Which, if you’re measuring how successful Arnett can be based off of his ability to take a 9-win team and make it back to a bowl game, then this is going to be important for you to consider.

Because ESPN’s FPI now has State with a 78.7 percent chance of making it to six wins this regular season.

Six wins isn’t great because the Bulldogs weren’t exactly in a  position to be rebuilt. There was a strong foundation that had previously been established by Mike Leach’s coaching staff. But Arnett, formerly Leach’s defensive coordinator, has the Bulldogs in a weirdly good position to make a bowl appearance.

FPI is projecting the Bulldogs to end the season at 6.3-5.7, which is a decent spot to be in. There are some winnable games up ahead for MSU, such as MSU’s home matchup with the Kentucky Wildcats and a home game against Southern Miss. Win two of those three and a bowl game is set for MSU.

Find a way to pull off a road win vs. the Auburn Tigers this week or an unlikely upset over Texas A&M and/or Ole Miss and suddenly what has been a dreadful season up to this point might end on a high note.

But the Bulldogs absolutely have to figure out what’s going on with the offense for this to happen.

dark. Next. Reliving every single Mississippi State bowl game

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