Mississippi State football begins the 2024 season in just one month, and we're getting acclimated with their competition. On September 14 at 6:30 pm CT, the Bulldogs will host the Toledo Rockets.
The Rockets won 11 games a year ago and were one of the nation's best G5 teams. Here's what to know about Toledo going into '24...
Toledo has come up just short at pulling off big upsets in recent years.
Toledo has had some opportunities at program-shaping wins in the last few seasons, but just haven't quite managed to pull off those upsets. The Rockets opened last season at Illinois and grabbed a lead over the Illini with under three minutes to go. But Illinois pulled off a game-winning drive to survive 30-28.
Three years ago, Toledo made an early trip to South Bend against the 8th-ranked Irish. This time, the Rockets grabbed a lead with just 1:35 remaining! But Notre Dame needed just three plays to get the winning score, 32-29.
Mississippi State doesn't want to be the team to reverse Toledo's bad fortunes in these big moments.
Toledo will be a new look team in 2024.
While this is clearly a team not to overlook, the Rockets are unlikely to be as strong this year as they were in '23. They lose to dynamic rushing duo of QB Dequan Finn and RB Peny Boone. All five starters from a dominant OL must be replaced. They also lose leading tackler Dallas Grant at LB, top pass rushers Judge Culpepper and Terrance Taylor, and a 1st Round pick at CB in Quinyon Mitchell plus three other starters at DB.
This was a loaded roster that takes a big hit going into this season.
Toledo will still be one of the MAC's best.
Despite all their losses, this will still be a good G5 team in '24. The Toledo defense in particular remains strong. DE D'Andre Ragin and DT Darius Alexander are a strong DL combo. Daniel Bolden is a very good middle LB, and safety duo Maxen Hook and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren anchor the secondary. QB and OL are major question marks, but a ton of skill talent remains, especially at WR. And HC Jason Candle is an outstanding offensive mind.
Mississippi State can't overlook this game. Toledo's WR and DL talent could potentially take advantage of some of State's own question marks. The Bulldogs will have to come out firing to avoid a letdown.