News Summary
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are predicted to finish last in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) based on a recent preseason media poll. Texas leads as the frontrunner for the title while junior safety Isaac Smith makes the Preseason All-SEC Third Team. The Bulldogs face challenges ahead with the aim to improve their disappointing defense and overall performance from the previous season. With new strategies in place, they hope to exceed low expectations set by preseason predictions.
Starkville, Mississippi — The Mississippi State Bulldogs have been projected to finish last in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) standings based on a preseason media poll released on Friday. This places the Bulldogs behind Kentucky, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt, indicating a challenging season ahead for the team.
Texas has been named the frontrunner for the SEC title, receiving 96 votes, while Georgia closely follows with 44 votes. Vanderbilt, which is predicted to finish ahead of Mississippi State, received two votes in the forecast.
Adding a bit of optimism for Mississippi State, junior safety Isaac Smith has earned a spot on the Preseason All-SEC Third Team. Smith’s selection is notable as he is the only Bulldog to receive this honor, highlighting his standout performance amid the team’s struggles.
In the previous season, Smith was a leading force on the team, recording 127 tackles, which not only made him the leader in the SEC but also placed him seventh nationally in that category. During his freshman year, he managed 15 tackles across 12 games while primarily contributing on special teams. In his second season, Smith improved his game significantly with three pass deflections, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
For the upcoming season, Smith is anticipated to take on a larger role, potentially operating as a linebacker alongside his primary responsibilities as a safety. This adjustment comes as the Bulldogs’ defense seeks to improve upon their disappointing performance in 2024, where they ranked last in various statistical categories and conceded an average of 34.1 points per game.
The Bulldogs concluded the season with a disheartening record of 2-10 and were unable to secure a conference victory during head coach Jeff Lebby‘s inaugural season. In response to this lackluster performance, Lebby has retained all of his defensive assistant coaches, including coordinator Coleman Hutzler. To bolster the defense, the team has introduced new staff members, notably Vincent Dancy and former head coaches Paul Rhoads and Mike MacIntyre.
Efforts to enhance the defensive unit have also seen the Bulldogs leverage the transfer portal effectively, with 10 out of 31 transfers focusing on positions within the defensive line and linebacker corps. Last season, Mississippi State recorded just 10 sacks, ranking as the second fewest in the nation. They also struggled against the run, allowing an average of 216.9 rushing yards per game, placing them fifth worst nationally.
Isaac Smith has expressed positivity regarding the improvements made to the defensive line and the overall performance of the defensive unit as the new season approaches. However, the Bulldogs’ representation on the Preseason All-SEC list is limited compared to other teams in the league, mirroring the situation of Vanderbilt and Kentucky, both of which also had one player named to the preseason honors.
In related developments, former Mississippi State wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. has been honored on the Preseason All-SEC Third Team while playing for Missouri, indicative of the continued talent emerging from Mississippi State’s football program despite its current difficulties.
As the Mississippi State Bulldogs prepare for the upcoming season with new strategies and a renewed focus on building their defense, the challenges will be significant as they strive to improve upon their previous performance and exceed the expectations set by the preseason predictions.
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Additional Resources
- Hail State: Isaac Smith Earns Media Preseason All-SEC Honors
- Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State Football Defense
- On3: Mississippi State SEC Preseason Polls
- Wikipedia: Mississippi State Bulldogs Football
- Sports Illustrated: One Player on Media Preseason All-SEC Teams
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
