Mississippi State has reached the first bye week of the season, and the Bulldogs have already doubled their win total from last season, including a massive top-15 win over a playoff team from last season in Arizona State. Despite losing two straight to Tennessee and Texas A&M, the Bulldogs have a lot of mometum heading into the second half of the season with the potential of reaching the magical sixth win to return to the postseason in just year two of the Coach Jeff Lebby era in Starkville. 

Despite the back-to-back conference losses for Mississippi State, the first bye week of the season comes at the perfect time as they prepare for the second part of the season, surge towards the postseason, and maybe even an Egg Bowl victory to get the fan base back into the feeling of pride in Mississippi State football. Through six games, two of which have shown a renewed Davis Wade Stadium revamped with maroon and white clad fans ringing the cowbells as they do their part in creating an unbeatable homefield advantage for Coach Lebby and the boys. 

Outside of a few injuries to key players, Mississippi State has looked the part of a Southeastern Conference football team outside of the Texas A&M game on Saturday. Even then, the Bulldogs came into College Station without a few key players and hung around with the Aggies for the first half before the dam broke, but once again, not before the Bulldogs showed improvement from last season. 

So, what are three takeaways from the first half of the season for Mississippi State? 

First, it has been discussed, but there is a significant difference in the perception of the teams from last season. For the first time in a few years, when the Bulldogs get off the bus, they look like a Southeastern Conference football team. They might not have the depth, but the first two lines on the depth chart are bigger, faster, and more talented than last season, and in conference play, that’s half the battle. They went toe-to-toe with Tennessee and played Texas A&M close in the first half. Now the Bulldogs have hope they can find two SEC wins to reach bowl eligibility. The win over Arizona State was not only a program changer, but it gave Coach Lebby and his boys the confidence needed to play with anyone in the country. 

Second, even though Fluff Bothwell might miss a week or two due to an injury suffered against Texas A&M, the rushing attack for Mississippi State, featuring Davon Booth and Fluff Bothwell, has serious potential to complement the passing attack. Different styles of backs, but Bothwell and Booth, with the help of the offensive line, have given Mississippi State an unexpected weapon that has the potential to break out the big run while luring defenses in to give up the potential deep ball for a touchdown. 

Third, outside of Texas A&M, the defense has shown improvements from last season. Often not getting help from the offense, the defense picks up big stop after big stop, including on the goal line of the Arizona State victory that set up the Blake Shapen to Brenen Thompson 50-yard touchdown pass that gave the Bulldogs the victory over the Sun Devils. Last season, the Bulldogs struggled to get stops, gave up big plays, and didn’t get the offense the rest it needed to set up for success. This season, the defense has positioned itself to give Mississippi State a better chance at reaching the postseason. 

Overall, a 4-2 record after the first six weeks of the season is something to celebrate if you’re Mississippi State. You have a lot to build off of for the second half of the season. As far as how the rest of the way will go for the Bulldogs? Who knows, but the pathway to six wins is there with games against Texas, Florida, Arkansas, Missouri, and even Ole Miss on the horizon. 5-7 would be considered a success, but six would set the program up for next season to take that next step towards winning eight games, five of which would have to come inside of Southeastern Conference play. 

Mississippi State will return to action next Saturday, the 18th, as they travel to the Swamp to take on the Florida Gators. 

Photo Credits- Mississippi State Football on X