By Bill Burrus
Abysmal. Embarrassing. Frustrating.
All words, that so many used to describe Mississippi State football team in 2024, Jeff Lebby’s first season after he took over a program in shambles. His team was blown out at home against Toledo in a game where the Bulldogs were simply dominated. That’s when you could see the writing on the wall — the Bulldogs were likely going winless in the SEC.
Lebby stepped into a tough situation. There was simply little SEC talent on the roster. And that led to a train-wreck of a season for the new head man. So entering this season, the biggest question for me was: What does real improvement look like in Year 2 for Lebby?
I have seen enough at the midway point to declare real progress. State is 4-2 and has already doubled last year’s win total. But the disappointing part is the team didn’t capitalize on Lebby’s first big win, a wild one over Arizona State, a playoff team from a year ago.
Two weeks later, at home in front of a jam-packed, electric crowd, the Bulldogs let Tennessee out of town with a 41-34 overtime victory. It was a total meltdown in OT; Tennessee scored a touchdown on the first play where the defense had a guy in position to make the stop near the line of scrimmage. And then, Lebby bungled the play-calling on the goal line as the Bulldogs failed to find the end zone.
It was a blown opportunity to really build on a big win, which eventually becomes not big at all, if you can’t build on it. MSU is 0-2 vs. SEC foes since.
A lot more will be revealed about this team in the second half of the season, which at first glance, is a beast.
This is what I do know: the team is much better in the defensive trenches, but the offensive line is still a little thin, especially after a couple of key injuries. That was never more evident than in the loss to the Aggies.
The Bulldogs, who are off this week, have lost 13 straight in the SEC. If they’re going to end that streak, the Bulldogs have got to get more out of the offense. That’s Lebby’s baby, and it’s on him to get things going again. But early-down negative plays are killing them. On third down vs. Texas A&M, State averaged 11 yards to go.
The major concern moving forward, even with Albert Reese back in there, is protecting the quarterback. After this week’s bye, the schedule only gets tougher in the second half of the season. MSU has the second-toughest schedule down the stretch.
Last year, MSU ranked 122nd nationally in sacks allowed. Six games into 2025, the Bulldogs are 15th in the SEC in that same category, allowing 16 sacks so far for a minus-99 yards. With defenses like Missouri, Texas and Georgia ahead down the road, the Bulldogs have to find a way to shore things up at the tackle spots and get more consistency at quarterback.
The Bulldogs are just two wins short of bowl eligibility. If they get there, it will be considered an amazing season, but just where will those two victories come from.
State goes to Florida, fresh off a huge win over Texas, next week. After a home game with Texas and a trip to Arkansas, MSU faces three straight ranked foes to end the season — No. 10 Georgia, No. 14 Missouri and No. 4 Ole Miss.
Lebby said the goal for this week is to rest and get healthy for what he knows is a brutal home stretch,
“We understand the back half of our schedule, and what that looks like. And we are working on those situational parts of the game where we’ve got to be able to stay on the field, offensively. A lot of that is first and second down. Then protectionally, being able to do what we need to do on third down to stay on the field. Making great strides in those situations is important, as well.”
The pressure is on for Lebby. Can he do enough with the offense to find two more wins?
