STARKVILLE — Change can be difficult.
It hasn’t seemed to bother Dan Mullen.
With former defensive coordinator Geoff Collins leaving the Mississippi State football program for the same position at Florida, it would seem conditions are perfect for a disruption in MSU’s preparations — particularly on defense — for the game against No. 12 Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl.
After all, how can a defense prepare for an offense as unique as Georgia Tech’s triple option without a leader?
Mullen said don’t worry.
“This is a program,” Mullen said. “It’s not about a person. The system hasn’t changed since I’ve been the head coach, really. We run the same defense since I’ve been the head coach. That’s the scheme we’re going to run and that we run, so I think our guys, having some older players, they’re very confident in what we do, and it doesn’t matter who is out there calling it.”
With that, No. 7 MSU (10-2) has continued to prepare for the school’s first Orange Bowl since 1941. Collins left MSU early Tuesday morning. The Bulldogs closed their first full week of bowl practice Saturday. After departing for Christmas break Saturday afternoon, the Bulldogs’ next practice be Friday in Miami.
The adjustment of losing Collins has been the biggest development in the team’s bowl preparations. For Mullen and other members of the staff, moving on has been easy.
For players, like linebacker Beniquez Brown, the change has been a little harder to swallow.
“I try not to think about it and work at the task at hand,” said Brown, MSU’s second-leading tackler. “He was a big part of what we do. You can’t really do nothing but wish him the best. He did the best thing for him and his family.”
Without Collins, Mullen promoted graduate assistant John Haneline to interim linebackers coach. Mullen also has spent more time this week working with the defense than in past weeks.
“Normally it’s slightly tilted because I go to the offensive side, but then it gets heavier with one missing over there (on defense), so I tried to balance that out this week,” Mullen said.
‘We have to be disciplined’
MSU’s defense is preparing for Georgia Tech’s ground-and-pound philosophy. The Yellow Jackets, who have eight running backs with at least 200 yards this season, attack defenses at all angles and use their triple option to create confusion and running lanes. The Yellow Jackets (10-3) rank third in the country in rushing yards this season, and topped the 200-yard mark in all 13 games.
The challenge of playing Georgia Tech has put added emphasis on film study.
“Watching film is everything,” MSU safety Deontay Evans said. “You have to put in the work to know what to look for. Because they’ve got so many options on every single play, you have to be ready to do your job. If you don’t, they’ll hit a big play.”
Preston Smith, MSU’s All-Southeastern Conference defensive end, agreed.
“When you see somebody with the ball, you automatically want to make a play and want to take him,” Smith said. “He might end up pitching it. You’ve got to play your keys, so it’s going to be kind of hard because we’re really an aggressive defense, up front especially. Our front seven is very aggressive, and we want to try to make plays and be physical with the other team, so we have just got to be disciplined. Not too conservative, but a little conservative.”
Sophomore quarterback Justin Thomas led the Yellow Jackets with 965 rushing yards, while running backs Zach Laskey and Synjyn Days added 788 and 753 yards, respectively.
While Georgia Tech’s regular season numbers have been impressive, the Yellow Jackets have struggled in bowl games under coach Paul Johnson. The prevailing theory dictates that a defense has a much easier time dealing with Georgia Tech’s triple option with at least a month to prepare.
But the question remains: How will MSU prepare for a sophisticated, disciplined offense without a defensive coordinator?
Mullen isn’t worried.
“When we get down there we’ll get all that figured out,” Mullen said. “We’ve got a great program. We’ve got good coaches who are going to get everybody in position.”
As for the future, Mullen was asked if he will have a new defensive coordinator in place for the Orange Bowl on Dec. 31.
“I don’t plan on making any decision yet,” Mullen said. “We’re going to research it and we’re going to get somebody who is how we’re going to do it, and get the staff organized to continue to have a great staff. I don’t expect to (have a new defensive coordinator for the bowl game). We’re not going to have anybody in place before the bowl game.”
Prescott weighs options
Earlier this week, MSU quarterback Dak Prescott submitted NFL draft paperwork to request a draft grade from the league’s scouts. This process, available to all draft-eligible underclassmen, is aimed at providing each player with the necessary information needed to make a decision on turning pro or stay in college.
If Prescott’s answer from the scouts forced him to lean one way or the other, he wasn’t showing it.
“I’ll make a decision after the bowl game,” said Prescott, who accounted for a SEC-leading 38 touchdowns.
Mullen said he and Prescott have talked briefly about the quarterback’s decision.
“I haven’t heard a final decision,” Mullen said. “We just had a quick discussion of it all. But that’s something I’m sure he’ll come a very educated, good decision.”
Smart dogs
MSU already has enjoyed a landmark season, winning 10 regular-season games for the first time in school history. The Bulldogs have been just as successful off the field.
On Thursday, MSU announced the football team had a 2.76 grade-point average, the second-highest mark in program history.
On Friday, Mullen spoke about his team’s academic abilities.
“I’ve noticed that success on the field correlates with our grade-point average. I mean when you look, 2.76 GPA is pretty special,” Mullen said. “That is guys taking care of business, doing what they’re supposed to do. I’m as proud of that as our team going to the Orange Bowl. I mean, our guys were champions off the field, and that is really special.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brandon Walker on Twitter @BWonStateBeat
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