Mississippi State Football: Are the Bulldog’s Struggles Fixable This Season?

Mississippi State has several issues to fix through the first three games, but are they fixable?

Sep 7, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Mississippi State football is only three games into its season, but many issues need fixing. Diagnosing what is not an issue would be quicker, but let’s try to get the three biggest ones and see if they’re fixable.

No better way to tailgate‼️#HailState🐶 x @CountryPleasin pic.twitter.com/OqZXBj4Xj0

— Mississippi State Athletics (@HailState) September 14, 2024

Three Issues for Mississippi State Football

Mississippi State Line of Scrimmage

Mississippi State has always prided itself on having a formidable offensive and defensive line. That is not the case this season, as the Bulldogs have been pushed around against Toledo and Arizona State.

The offensive line may have continuity issues since there are five new starters, but it is an uphill climb. The unit may improve in time, but it will not be easy.

For starters, finding the right five guys and sticking with them could help the unit gel better. The defensive line is slightly different from their offensive counterparts because the group is inexperienced.

The group will gain valuable experience, but the talent may not be high enough to make any difference. The Mississippi State defensive line has also struggled with injuries.

The issue is fixable, but the talent may hinder the offensive and defensive lines.

Slow Starts for Mississippi State

The entire Mississippi State team has performed poorly over the past two weeks and paid the price. Arizona State had a 27-3 lead heading into halftime, and Toledo led Mississippi State 28-3 at the half.

This issue is fixable because it is not a matter of players or talent. Mississippi State must come out of the locker room and click on all cylinders, and the issue will be fixed.

Mississippi State Makes Constant Mistakes

Mississippi State makes far too many mistakes, whether mental errors like missing an assignment or physical ones like having an illegal man downfield. On the first three drives against Toledo, Mississippi State made a mistake on the first play: holding, giving up a sack, and an offensive pass interference.

Those three mistakes put Mississippi State behind the chains and ultimately led to a three-and-out. Mississippi State is not talented enough to constantly make mistakes.

These issues are all fixable, but if progress is not shown soon, they may linger with this Mississippi State team all season.

Read More Mississippi State Bulldogs on SI:

Mississippi State Football Must Embrace the Future as Season Progresses

Mississippi State Suffers Worst Defeat in 20 Years Against Toledo

Toledo Upsets Mississippi State: Five Stats That Tell the Story