STARKVILLE — The defensive struggles of Mississippi State football are undeniable after their recent performance. The Bulldogs (1-6, 0-4 SEC) suffered a 34-24 defeat to No. 14 Texas A&M (6-1, 4-0) on Saturday, marking the sixth consecutive game in which they have allowed at least 30 points. With an average of 33.3 points allowed per game, they rank among the worst in the power conferences.
Coach Jeff Lebby expressed pride in the team’s toughness and effort, despite the disappointing outcome. He acknowledged the need for improvement both in play and coaching moving forward.
Several concerning statistics highlight the difficulties facing Mississippi State’s defense.
Firstly, the Bulldogs are tied for the fewest sacks in the nation, having recorded no sacks in four of their games this season. With only five sacks overall, and just two in their last five contests, they are equal with Oregon State and Air Force for the lowest sack total. Their sack yardage, amounting to just 16 yards lost for opponents, is also the least in the country.
Secondly, Mississippi State is allowing the highest completion percentage nationally, currently sitting at 72.5%. This figure has not improved from last season, even with a new defensive coordinator. Texas A&M’s quarterback completed 60% of his passes against them, which is indicative of ongoing coverage issues and a lack of effective pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Additionally, the Bulldogs struggle to stop opponents on third down. Texas A&M converted 9 of 14 attempts in their game, bringing Mississippi State’s opponents’ third-down conversion rate to 49.5%, ranking them fourth worst in the nation.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of improvement. The Bulldogs have forced multiple turnovers in the last three games, which has helped them compete against ranked teams. They also managed to hold both Georgia and Texas A&M to under 150 rushing yards. While they still allow an average of 192.3 rushing yards per game, which is the second most among power conference teams, there is a glimmer of progress, particularly in run defense.
Lebby expressed pride in the team’s performance against the run, noting that it kept them competitive against tough opponents.