LSU Football: Why the Mississippi State defense is of concern

LSU Football has their first SEC test of the season on Saturday vs. Mississippi State. As such, we expect another fight with an improved Bulldogs’ defense.

LSU Football and Mississippi State are no strangers on the football field. The Tigers handed the Bulldogs their first loss a year ago and will look to do the same this Saturday afternoon on ESPN. However, LSU fans must not expect a lopsided victory because the Bulldogs can play ball.

In fact, we think the Mississippi State defense will give LSU a tough time in Starkville.

Zach Arnett was promoted to the Mississippi State head coach position after the tragic death of Mike Leach. Arnett joined Leach’s staff as defensive coordinator in 2020. In three seasons, the former New Mexico linebacker improved the Bulldogs’ defense from 73rd to 40th in college football.

LSU Football fans might recall Mississippi State’s defense gave the Tigers fits through a majority of three quarters in 2022. That was a game in which LSU struggled to run the ball until the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs finally broke in the fourth quarter and allowed the Tigers to score three touchdowns.

Nevertheless, Mississippi State’s defense looks better than 40th this season and might not break in the final quarter vs. LSU this time around.

One of Arnett’s first moves as head coach was ordering a change from the Air Raid to a pro-style offense. When executed correctly, the pro-style offense is more run-heavy and clock-gobbling, giving a team’s defense more rest time between drives. The extended time on the sideline has helped Arnett’s defensive production through two games.

Mississippi State’s opponents are 9-for-28 on third down plays in 2023. That results from big boys up front and ball-hawking, middle zone coverage. Also, the Bulldogs have not allowed opponents to rush for over 100 yards in a game this season.

We must also mention that Mississippi State has six interceptions through their first two games.

We expect Mississippi State to stick with playing a lot of zone coverage against LSU to limit Jayden Daniels from getting into the open field. As such, the onus is on the Tigers’ quarterback to pick apart the Bulldogs’ defense through the air.

Better yet, the onus is on offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock to dial up plays that involve routes in which receivers exploit coverage cushions and gaps. If LSU can force Mississippi State into playing man coverage, then we do not doubt that the Tigers will beat the Bulldogs.