Deep in the heart of Mississippi, the Bulldogs of Mississippi State are ready to open their season against a pesky Southeastern Louisiana team at Davis Wade Stadium. Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium on the campus of Mississippi State will mark the first regular season game of the Zach Arnett era as Head Coach of the Bulldogs. All around Starkville, people are excited for Saturday as they will have their first chance to see what the Mississippi State Bulldogs will look like under the leadership of Coach Arnett and his staff.

Seeing many familiar faces from last season on the sidelines will provide a warm feeling that will cope with the positive changes in store for the Bulldogs starting on Saturday. Guys like Will Rodgers, Jo’Quavious Marks, Zavion Thomas, Nathan Pickering, Nathaniel Watson, and Jett Johnson are a few names familiar to Mississippi State fans to start the 2023 seasons.

As far as the action on the field goes, defensively, Mississippi State will look about the same as last season. With Nathan Pickering, Nathaniel Watson, and Jett Johnson leading the charge for the Bulldogs during the 2023 campaign, Coach Arnett expects those three to be the leaders of the 2023 Mississippi State defensive unit. Coach Arnett and his staff expect the Mississippi State defensive unit to be challenging to opposing offensive in the Southeastern Conference. Playing to the Bulldog mentality will be pivotal in earning Mississippi State crucial wins during the season.

On the offensive side of the ball, Mississippi State fans will see a different style as Air Raid is gone and more of a spread offensive scheme is in place under Offensive Coordinator Kevin Barbay. Mississippi State will run more sets with tight-end usage than in years past. Mississippi State fans will see a combination of Ryland Goede, Geor’quarius Spivey, and Malik Ellis running the tight-end position for the Bulldogs on Saturday. On top of that, the Mississippi State coaching staff expects the Bulldogs to see the vast improvements made to Will Rogers this off-season.

Overall, Saturday will be the first showcase for Mississippi State to show the Bulldog faithful what to expect during the 2023 season. Southeastern Louisiana will likely give the Bulldogs a fight in the first quarter. However, the Bulldogs should open the 2023 season with a massive win over the Lions before returning home next Saturday as they welcome the Arizona Wildcats to Davis Wade Stadium.