Mississippi State wrapped up its non-conference slate on Saturday with a 38-10 victory over NIU to double last season’s win total at four wins through four games, while maintaining an unblemished record heading into Southeastern Conference play. Not only has Mississippi State remained unbeaten and avoided any upsets this season, but the Bulldogs have a really good win over Arizona State, combined with a massive home win over a team that beat Notre Dame last season in South Bend, and a win over a rising power at the Group of Six stage of college football. Not to mention a beatdown of a traditional power out of the SWAC in Alcorn State. 

Not only has Mississippi State remained undefeated through the first four weeks of the season, but the Bulldogs look the part of a Southeastern Conference team. They’re bigger, they’re faster, and all around they look like a team that Bulldogs nation has every right in the world to be proud of. With the Southeastern Conference schedule looming on the horizon, this team has already exceeded expectations for year two set by the oddsmakers in Vegas, who had the Bulldogs projected at 3.5 wins on the season, but now Mississippi State has the potential to reach the postseason for the first time since the tragic passing of former Head Coach Mike Leach. 

So let’s talk about it. What are the takeaways from the non-conference slate for the Bulldogs of Mississippi State?

First and foremost, you have an offensive unit that has the ability to score from anywhere on the field. It’s safe to say that, through four games, the Mississippi State offensive unit has showcased the system that Coach Lebby has tried to implement in Starkville for two seasons. You have Blake Shapen, the gun slinger, Fluff Bothwell, the overwhelming force of nature at running back, and then Brenen Thompson to close out the three-headed attack that Mississippi State has as a part of their offensive arsenal that also includes the likeness of Davon Booth and Anthony Evans. In the first four games of the season, Mississippi State has scored 159 points, including a game-winning touchdown pass over Arizona State a couple of weeks ago. In comparison, the Bulldogs look like a completely different team on offense from last season. You can see the improvement in a healthy Blake Shapen while observing the difference that a guy like Fluff Bothwell has on the program. 

Second, the development of Kyle Ferrie is night and day compared to his first two seasons. There has never been a player who loves Mississippi State the way he does. Then, you add in the fact that he has drastically improved his game as a kicker, and it allows for Coach Lebby and his staff to have another reliable source for points on the scoreboard to help Mississippi State in close games. Ferrie did, in fact, kick a career-high 55 yards against Southern Miss. 

Third, the defense. Although not perfect, the defense has also shown signs of improvement from last season. Like their counterparts on the offensive side of the ball, the Mississippi State defense appears bigger and has more speed at every position. Depth might become an issue for the Bulldogs on the defensive side of the ball as the season progresses, but they at least look the part of an SEC defense while holding each of the four teams to their season lows so far. As a unit, Mississippi State has given up 47 points, while the offense complements the defensive unit. 

Lastly, the fan excitement for Mississippi State is back like never before. It was announced on Tuesday morning that the upcoming Tennessee game on Saturday was a hard sellout for the first time since Mississippi State welcomed the Florida Gators and Former Coach Dan Mullen to Davis Wade Stadium back in 2018. It might not have been a sellout, but the Arizona State game during week two was one of the loudest environments that Davis Wade Stadium has seen in recent memory, with the place rocking as the Bulldogs stunned the 12th-ranked Sun Devils. If Mississippi State can manage to hang with the high-powered Tennessee offensive juggernaut on Saturday, then the cowbells will likely make a difference in the outcome of the game. A win over Tennessee and the reality of a College Gameday could be coming to Starkville in the near future, giving the Bulldogs faithful even more to be excited about as they continue to believe in Coach Lebby and his staff as they return Mississippi State back to the conversation. 

Photo Credits- Mississippi State Football on X