Tennessee football hosts a struggling Mississippi State team on Saturday night in its final SEC home game of the season.
Here’s a look at the Mississippi State Bulldogs ahead of the homecoming matchup in Knoxville.
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How The Bulldogs Got Here
To truly tell the whole story we have to go back to the tragic passing of Mike Leach. The Bulldogs promoted his defensive coordinator Zach Arnett as their full-time head coach but made the move away from him after just one year.
Mississippi State pegged Oklahoma offensive coordinator and former Josh Heupel assistant Jeff Lebby as its head coach and the 40-year old inherited a roster in a bleak spot.
Things have largely gone poorly for Mississippi State this season. The Bulldogs come to Knoxville 2-7 (0-5 SEC) with wins over Eastern Kentucky and UMass. They’ve lost to everyone else including a blowout defeat against Toledo.
Mississippi State was truly horrific for the first month and a half of the season but has played better as of late, most notably on the offense end.
Mississippi State’s Strengths
Mississippi State’s strengths and weaknesses are pretty dramatically divided between offense and defense. The strengths lie with an offense that’s been good over the last month of the season, lining up with when Michael Van Buren took over at quarterback.
The Bulldogs ranks sixth in the SEC with 255 passing yards per game and they’ve thrown for 270 yards per game over their last five games.
Unlike many of Tennessee’s recent opponents, Mississippi State’s offense has been good in the red zone. They have 21 touchdowns in 33 trips to the red zone and have a really good balance there between passing and rushing touchdowns. In fact, the Bulldogs boast the best red zone passing attack that Tennessee’s season to this point in the season.
Turnovers also haven’t been a huge problem for the Bulldogs offense. Their 12 turnovers so far this season is the sixth fewest in the SEC.
Mississippi State’s Weaknesses
As you’d expect for a two-win team, there’s been more bad than good for Mississippi State this season. And the defense is simply putrid.
They have the worst scoring defense in the SEC by eight points per game. The worst total defense in the SEC by 74 yards per game and the worst rush defense in the SEC by 49 yards per game. Not only are they the worst in the SEC in a number of areas, they’re the worst by a wide margin.
Mississippi State having the second worst pass defense in the conference feels like a strength. Which says a lot about just how bad this unit has been.
As you’d expect, they’ve been pretty brutal situationally this season. Giving up first downs on 47% of third downs, Mississippi State ranks 125th nationally. They’ve also allowed 31 touchdowns and 40 total scores in 44 red zone trips for opponents this season.
One area that has been a weakness for the offense is pass protection. The Bulldogs have allowed 29 sacks this season, only 11 teams nationally have allowed more.
Bulldogs To Know
QB Michael Van Buren
Ever since Jeff Lebby handed the reigns of his offense to one of the infamous Van Buren Boys, Mississippi State has had a real shot in the arm offensively.
In five starts and some limited mop-up duty, Van Buren is completing 57% of his passes for 1,323 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions. The freshman quarterback isn’t a true runner but he uses his legs in the red zone where he’s added four more touchdowns on the ground.
Mississippi State is averaging 27 points per game since Van Buren became its starting quarterback. He presents a real challenge for the Vols.
WR Kevin Coleman
Junior slot receiver Kevin Coleman is Van Buren’s go-to guy and has quietly been one of the top receivers in the SEC. His 57 receptions are second in the conference, his 688 yards are fifth and his five touchdowns are tied for sixth.
Four of his five best games of the season have come since Van Buren became the Bulldogs starting quarterback
CB Brice Pollack
Pollack is Mississippi State’s highest graded defender this season according to PFF. He has five pass breakups and one interception.
The 6-foot-1 sophomore has also been good in the run game as he’s totaled 36 tackles and forced one interception so far this season.
S Isaac Smith
Smith is second in the SEC with 81 tackle this season to go along with two pass breakups and one forced fumble from his safety spot.
What Josh Heupel Said About The Bulldogs
Opening Statement
“Last SEC home game for us. Another pivotal game on the schedule (against a) Mississippi State team that is continuing to get better throughout the course of the season, really in every phase. It will be another great environment. Look forward to seeing our fans. They’ve been awesome here during this run of of home games. Hopefully, they rest up and are ready to roll this Saturday, too. Looking forward to this week’s preparation and get ready to go play.”
On what he’s seen from Mississippi State freshman QB Michael Van Buren
“I just think he continues to get better in what they’re doing. Young player that is continuing to get better. Has a good future in front of them. And they have some dynamic playmakers out on the outside. And he’s done good job decision making and continuing to become more and more accurate and decisive with the football. He’s playing really well.”
On how unique Saturday’s game will be, facing Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby, one of his former assistant coaches
“Yeah, I’ve known known Jeff for a long time, dating all the way back to Oklahoma when he was still a student there. And great respect for him, his staff. It’s not just Jeff that I know. I know a bunch of their guys and good people, good coaches and doing a good job down there. So it’ll be unique in that I’ve sat in the staff room with those guys before.”
