Mississippi State is back on the road for football this week, traveling to take on Arkansas in a battle of SEC teams without a conference win this year.
The Bulldogs (4-4, 0-4 SEC) have not won a conference game since 2023 in Fayetteville, and face a team that is equally hungry to turn things around after four close calls.
Here are three keys to victory for MSU to end its 16-game SEC losing streak.
Find the push
The Bulldogs will still be on the lookout for the return of running back Fluff Bothwell, but have managed without him thanks to senior Davon Booth and his ability to take over on the ground. Booth accounted for 99 yards on the ground against Texas, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, and added 85 yards receiving out of the backfield, including a 62-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The all-purpose threat for MSU was an X-factor, and yet the Bulldogs struggled in short yardage.
MSU was 6-19 converting on third downs, 3-9 in short yardage situations, and 1-4 on fourth downs.
There was a notable turnover on downs in the first half where MSU ran twice with just one yard to gain and came up short, handing it to Booth both times. Later in the game, on a fourth-and-two, Lebby opted for a passing play instead, which was immediately blown up for a loss of 10 on a sack.
The offensive line has improved with the return of Albert Reese IV, but there is still room to grow. With the aggressive nature of the offense, the willingness to go on fourth downs, there has to be more push up front to help establish the run and wear the defense down throughout the contest.
Sling it
The offense has had its role in the late-game collapses in SEC play, but the reignition of the passing game has been a positive to build on.
Quarterback Blake Shapen has posted back-to-back games of more than 300 yards through the air, and his 381 yards against Texas was a career best. He added four touchdowns as well, finding Brenen Thompson and Sam West to capitalize on red zone opportunities through the air.
The passing game wasn’t as explosive downfield as it was against Florida, but the receivers made do with opportunities over the middle to catch the ball in space and find yards after the catch.
The Bulldogs have to continue to build off of those performances. Scoring quickly and gaining chunk yardage is big for any offense, but with how prolific Taylen Green and the Razorbacks have been through the air, it’s important to keep pace as well.
Finish
Through four SEC games, MSU has had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter in three of those. In all three contests, the moment was too big.
Defensive lapses, turnovers, and negative plays have all contributed to the team finding new and painful ways to lose
In all facets of the game, on both sides of the ball, the Bulldogs simply have to finish.
On Monday, Lebby highlighted some of the moments and decisions that weighed heavily on him, and his tone remained the same as it has been since the Tennessee loss. He sees a team that does so many things right, that puts itself in positions to win, but just hasn’t followed that up with the right execution.
“There are so many moments in the game that give us a chance to have a different outcome,” Lebby said on Monday. “Those I’m pointing to right now weigh heavily on you because they are chances to win the game and leave no doubt. That’s something we’ll continue to talk about: leaving no doubt. And find ways to strain and fight like hell to be plus one at the end of the day.”
In Arkansas, the Bulldogs may have found their match. The Razorbacks are also winless in SEC play this season and have found themselves asking the same question: What if?
A late fumble against Ole Miss, leaving it late against Texas A&M and Tennessee, and three interceptions against Auburn have led to four painful conference losses.
These are two programs that have demonstrated the kind of offensive firepower necessary to compete, but neither has held its nerve. If it comes down to the final possessions, the Bulldogs have to be the team capable of shedding their reputation and finishing the job.
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