A new dawn is rising on the Mississippi State front as Coach Lebby and his Bulldogs turn the corner to fall camp and kick off the 2024 season under the lights against Eastern Kentucky on August 31st. On Wednesday, Coach Lebby preached to the media contingent in Dallas about the importance of his team having mental toughness and embracing a new era of Mississippi State Football.

In the fall of 2024, Mississippi State has much to prove. The Bulldogs will open the season picked 15th out of 16 teams in the Southeastern Conference. The underdogs have just twelve returning starters from last season: five on offense, five on defense, punter Zach Haynes, and the ever-so-powerful kicker Kyle Ferrie. Yet, the Mississippi State spirit of toughness and resilience is alive and well with this team as they have embraced the Mississippi State way and are fully prepared to take the role as underdogs into the fall, proving to the rest of the conference that Mississippi State Football is alive and well under the watchful leadership of Coach Lebby.

Playing as the underdog with house money can suit teams with a rabid fan base, a talent to reach the postseason, and a hungry first-year Head Coach. This season for the Bulldogs has the potential to set the tone for years to come. Many people around the sport have compared Coach Lebby to his former boss at Ole Miss in year one under the respective coaches. In year one under Lane Kiffin, there was a certain level of excitement despite the overwhelming lack of respect.

According to reports from spring camp, Coach Lebby and his staff are turning to mental toughness and the ability to adapt to a new system as fall camp rolls around. In football, they’ll be days where you get knocked on your ass, yet, when you’re trying to build a new culture of winning, having that mental toughness to flush the bad and focus on the end goal is what separates the professionals from the amateurs.

Mississippi State will open the season on August 31st against Eastern Kentucky.