LSU Football: What concerns Mississippi State Bulldogs writer ahead of Week 3 game

LSU Football heads to Mississippi State for their SEC opener. We asked our counterparts at Maroon and White Nation for their perspective on the Week 3 game.

We’re an LSU Football fan-driven site that prides itself on using the FanSided platform to solicit and spread the fans’ opinions. Thus, we couldn’t wait to ask our counterparts at Maroon and White (M&W) Nation for their thoughts on LSU Football and their Week 3 game against Mississippi State.

M&W Nation is FanSided’s home of fan-driven Mississippi State Bulldogs coverage. We asked some asked the questions and they gave us some interesting insight into the fans’ perspective in Starkville.

What’s different about Mississippi State under Zach Arnett?

Death Valley Voice (DVV): What are some of the notable differences with the Mississippi State football program under Zach Arnett’s leadership? What else has changed other than the offensive scheme?

M&W Nation: We all knew Mike Leach and the attitude he brought to every program he led, but Leach and Arnett could not be more different in their demeanors. There has been a lot of discourse amongst fans on whether this is an identity that should be leaned into, “Blue Collar” is a theme that seems to be repeatedly boosted within the program. Arnett makes a point to wear boots and jeans on recruiting trips and at booster events, and his talk backs up the image. The man is a DC to his core, and that is a bit of what worries me about him long-term. Being “hard-nosed” and “physical” are objectively good football things to be, but how sellable is that image/attitude in todays college football that is built around roster turnover and transfers? We shall see.

Mississippi State’s strengths and weaknesses

DVV: Describe the most significant strengths of the Mississippi State football program though the first two weeks of the season. We’re curious about what has enabled the Bulldogs’ 2-0 start.

M&W Nation: Running the ball. That is clearly going to be a focal point of the offense moving forward, but the offensive line seems to be struggling to carry this load. We have taken advantage of lesser rosters on the defensive side of the ball, and that has allowed the offense to sort of glaze over some of the holes that are showing themselves. I am very much worried that as MSU makes its way through the SEC slate, those weaknesses are going to be exposed and the offense won’t be able to adjust. It is going to fall on the coaches to move some hats around on the line and concoct a scheme that moves the pressure to areas that are less vulnerable.

DVV: Describe the most significant weaknesses of the Mississippi State football program through the first two weeks of the season. What would Zach Arnett not want LSU to know before kick-off?

M&W Nation: As I already mentioned, I think our offensive line is suspect at best, and Will Rogers is not a guy to beat a quick defense. He is not mobile, and like they mentioned on the broadcast Saturday, Mike Leach’s coaching was not to emphasize recognition of the defense pre-snap. It was simply to make your reads and find the open space. He spent more time fighting three-man rushes with eight in coverage than anything over the past couple of seasons. With the emphasis on the run and teams defending accordingly, Rogers has to be able to take advantage over the top, and that is not an area I have confidence in.

What do Bulldogs fans think about LSU Football and Saturday’s game?

DVV: What are Mississippi State football fans saying about the LSU Tigers ahead of their Week 3 trip to Starkville? What’s the overall vibe among Bulldogs’ faithful?

M&W Nation: Honestly, I think most MSU fans are more concerned with the perceived “problems” within our own program than anyone else. You’d have thought we lost the game Saturday by 21 from the reactions I saw after the game. Wins are hard to come by and I’ll take 2-0. That was a tough Arizona team with a very good, experienced QB. Playcalling is the focus of just about every discussion amongst Bulldogs fans, so I am very interested to see the run/pass splits by the end of the game. Fans are itching for the more mobile option in Mike Wright at QB, so that continues to be a storyline as well. His ability on his feet definitely makes me more comfortable behind a line I don’t fully trust.

DVV: Hit us your final score prediction and why you think such.

M&W Nation: The line at the moment is LSU -9.5 and the O/U is at 45.5. It’s not quite that think that LSU’s offense is that good, but I do not have confidence in the Bulldogs ability to defend against a good, mobile QB with talent around him. State spent the better part of their time on defense chasing Jayden de Laura around, and I don’t think a week of practice/film is enough to correct everything. I am taking LSU and the under; Tigers win in Starkville 31-13.

We thank M&W Nation’s Ethan Lee for taking the time to give us some Mississippi State football fan insight ahead of the clash with LSU Football. Give Ethan a follow on X @ByEthanLee.