A look at Mississippi State.
Tennessee will jump back into SEC play this weekend and they’ll be heading into a tricky spot. The Volunteers will make the trip down to Starkville for the first time since 2012, set to take on a suddenly interesting Mississippi State team.
Jeff Lebby has his Bulldogs 4-0 in year two, trying to follow a similar path of success to his old boss Josh Heupel. The two came up the coaching ranks together, starting back at Oklahoma. Lebby worked with Heupel during his stint at UCF as each worked their way to head coaching jobs in the SEC.
Now for the second time they’ll face each other on the field.
An improved Mississippi State squad
Mississippi State went just 2-10 last season, struggling to find any footing in Lebby’s first season. They’ve already doubled that win total through four weeks this season.
“I think their entire roster, they’re deeper than they were a year ago,” Josh Heupel said this week of Mississippi State. “Their young guys that they had a year ago have continued to develop. They’re playing extremely well. They obviously added some bodies through the portal as well, and I think collectively their personnel is much further developed than it was a year ago. The understanding of their systems is much better and that’s why they’re playing the way that they are.”
Mississippi State took out Arizona State back in week two, making a statement to the rest of the college football world. That ranked win was a big deal for the Bulldogs, who were picked at or near the bottom of the league by most entering the season. It’s a testament to the depth of this league as a whole and a very sharp reminder that you won’t be able to take any weeks off in conference play.
Tennessee found that out the hard way this time last year, going down to Arkansas and letting one slip away in the fourth quarter. Fans from both sides have had this one circled all offseason long — a massive opportunity for Mississippi State and a ‘be careful’ moment for Tennessee.
A capable offense
“We went against them a year ago — schematically, not entirely different,” Heupel said. “They’ve continued to add things to it. Their personnel is playing extremely well. There’s nothing tricky about going down there and playing this football team. It’s a really good football team. You can see that on the tape in all three phases of the game. You look at the quality of the wins that they’ve had, beating Arizona State. It’s the next test.
“In this league, you better show up every Saturday ready to play.”
Mississippi State is led by quarterback Blake Shapen, who is off to a hot start through the air. You saw that on display against Arizona State as he found Brenen Thompson to topple the Sun Devils late. Shapen is completing 67 percent of his passes, tossing seven touchdowns against two interceptions.
Fluff Bothwell, a South Alabama transfer, leads the Mississippi State backfield. The 5-10, 230 pound back is averaging close to six yards per carry on the year.
Brenen Thompson and Anthony Evans each have nearly 300 yards receiving on the year and could cause a struggling Tennessee secondary some issues.
“First of all, they do a really good job up front,” Heupel said. “They’re well coached. They’re physical. I think their running backs do a really good job of pressing and hitting the holes, playing with great pad level and being physical at the end of the run. Their quarterback has the ability to be a part of the run game, and that changes the numbers, changes the angles.
“We’ve got to do a great job of getting off blocks and penetrating and making things bounce.”
Can Mississippi State slow down the Tennessee passing attack?
Mississippi State ranks 26th in total defense so far, although this will be their first SEC test. The Bulldogs held Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt to just 82 yards passing a few weeks ago, but also gave up over 250 yards on the ground.
They’ll have a much stiffer test this week with Joey Aguilar, Chris Brazzell, Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley coming to town.
“I think what they’re doing offensively, they’ve helped (Aguilar) in a great way, putting him in positions of success,” Jeff Lebby said of the Tennessee passing game. “And then he’s done a nice job of just taking what the defense gives him. We’re going to have to find ways to create pressure at the right times and at other times, find a way to go play coverage. We got to change that up, but feel good about where we’re at defensively.”
Tennessee’s passing game has completely return to form after a couple of down years. Aguilar ranks 15th nationally in yards pass attempt with a 9.6 mark. That’s up from 7.8 one season ago with Nico Iamaleava.
Mississippi State will counter with senior cornerback DeAgo Brumfield and 6-4 sophomore Kelley Jones, who could provide the Bulldogs with an answer for the 6-5 Chris Brazzell downfield.
Tennessee remains the favorite by more than a touchdown, but the line is moving in Mississippi State’s direction. After opening at 9.5, the spread is down to 7.5 as of Wednesday night.
Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. ET on Saturday. SEC Network will have the coverage.
Category: General Sports
