This bye week could not have come at a better time for Mississippi State football. In their first season under Jeff Lebby, the team is 1-4, having lost four straight games. Is it ideal for the Bulldogs to be in this position? Of course not. It's concerning to see the Bulldogs struggling as we near the halfway point of the season. Their opponents have dominated on both sides of the ball, and State has made critical mistakes. And in the simplest of terms, it’s not at all ideal to have a losing record.
Mississippi State didn’t hire Jeff Lebby to stay in the same muck they were in last year. If that were the plan, then Zach Arnett would have kept his job. But while some games that were expected to be wins for State entering the year have been painful losses, Jeff Lebby still knows how to win games and run a program. And though the Bulldogs likely won’t make a bowl game this season, turning this season into a positive step forward is still possible.
Here are a few things Jeff Lebby and his team can address during the bye week.
Clean up the penalties
In every game I’ve watched, the referees have thrown too many flags. It’s frustrating because Mississippi State is battling two opponents: the team across the field and their own mistakes. On offense, penalties kill momentum and give the opposing defense time to regroup. On defense, unnecessary penalties keep players on the field longer than needed. This season, Mississippi State is averaging 7.5 penalties for 71 yards per game, with each penalty averaging about 9.5 yards. Key players are already unavailable on both sides of the ball, so it’s critical that Lebby addresses this issue. If the penalties aren’t cleaned up, upcoming opponents will capitalize on these costly mistakes.
Build the identity around the run game
With Blake Shapen's injury, the passing game has become a liability. Shapen completed 74 of 108 passes for 974 yards and threw eight touchdowns with just one interception. However, with Michael Van Buren. at quarterback, he has only completed 19 of 36 passes for 244 yards. It would be wise for Jeff Lebby to shift the offensive scheme toward a run-heavy attack. Using Johnnie Daniels, Davon Booth, and Keyvone Lee once he's healthy as a three-headed rushing threat would take pressure off Van Buren. A strong running game would also open up opportunities in the passing game by diverting the defense’s focus. State's found much more success on the ground the last two games. They need to embrace that after the bye.
Find literally any way to improve the defense
Mississippi State’s opponents have had their way on offense this season. The Bulldog defense is allowing 37.8 points and 473.5 yards per game. Their pass defense has been nonexistent, giving up a 79.44% completion rate and 238.8 passing yards per game. The rushing defense isn’t faring any better, as 60.57% of opponents’ plays are runs, averaging 5.6 yards per play and 234.8 rushing yards per game. Defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler needs to regroup with his position coaches and implement changes. Whether that's schematic, philosophical, personnel-based or some combination, they've got to find ways to improve. If they don’t make adjustments, the defense will continue to struggle as it has all season.
I believe Mississippi State can still salvage their season. But without serious self-reflection and a complete overhaul, this season will soon be behind them, and all focus will shift to next year.