The Mississippi State Defense Has A Point To Prove

The Bulldogs are gearing up on the defensive side of the ball as spring practice is well underway.

Sep 10, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Hunter Washington (21) against / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

STARKVILLE, Miss – The Mississippi State Bulldogs have turned a new leaf whether it be on the offensive side of the ball or even on defense.

With another week of spring practice flying by, the Bulldogs have goals in place to show that they are no pushovers now that the SEC has expanded.

Last season, the Bulldogs had two of the country's best linebackers, with Nathaniel Watson and Jett Johnson dominating the middle. However, the surrounding talent was not up to par with the previous talent that had come through Starkville. Last season the Bulldogs allowed 350 yards a game and the majority of them were in the secondary.

Junior cornerback Hunter Washinton knows that the defense from last season can’t be the same. Now that the offense of the Bulldogs will have more of a tempo, the defense has had the chance to improve their conditioning, and Washington believes that it will help them in the long run.

“Conditioning, I feel like they are getting us right just in case we go against a team that is not so up-tempo, it will be easier for us because we’ll be used to it. We will be a lot more conditioned than other teams,” Washinton said.

Washinton isn’t the only person who believes that these teams will take those strides on the defensive end.

Junior linebacker Ty Cooper also knows that last season was an anomaly when it comes to defense and he shares the same sentiment as the team when it comes to that side of the ball. He knows that a lot went wrong, but there is a goal in mind.

“We got a point to prove,” Cooper said. “Week by week we have a point to prove to show everyone that we are going to be the number one defense in the SEC.”

Knowing that the only way is up compared to last season, Mississippi State looks to have an ideal system in place for how they want their defense to play, and it will be fun to watch with new faces taking control.