Mississippi State travels Saturday to Hattiesburg to take on Southern Miss to begin the 2025 season. Here’s a look at who has the edge at each position.
Quarterback
Blake Shapen returns as the leader of the offense, and there are big expectations in year two. Head coach Jeff Lebby continues to bring up the jump he sees in quarterbacks entering year two in his system.
That being said, Southern Miss has quite a talent on their hands in Braylon Braxton. The redshirt senior won the starting job midseason at Marshall and led the Thundering Herd on a seven-game winning streak to claim the Sun Belt championship.
Going by depth, Mississippi State has the more obvious talent behind their starter, but head-to-head, it’s difficult to separate the QB1s.
Edge: Even
Running back
Southern Miss features a few talented players at running back, including former Bulldog Jeffery Pittman and Ole Miss transfer Matt Jones.
However, the Bulldogs boast as good a running back room as they’ve had in recent years, returning Davon Booth and Johnnie Daniels alongside sophomore transfer Fluff Bothwell, who dominated the Golden Eagles with 104 carries a year ago in Hattiesburg.
This one, in terms of both depth and starting options, goes to the Bulldogs.
Edge: Mississippi State
Wide receiver/tight end
MSU had turnover, but it also brought in plenty of experience. There is a lot of faith placed in a unit that hasn’t produced much, but the athleticism and versatility in the room is clear to see.
USM is in a similar situation. There are several juniors and seniors in the unit, but no consistent production at previous stops.
It’ll be the first chance for both units to make their mark, but Southern Miss has the luxury of familiarity with five receivers following Braxton and Huff to Hattiesburg.
Edge: Southern Miss
Offensive line
MSU and USM both looked to the portal to address the offensive line, but the Bulldogs have Albert Reese and Jacoby Jackson back along with a few young players who got key development opportunities last year.
Southern Miss on the other hand, has a lot of unknown with their group assembled from more than 10 different programs.
Edge: Mississippi State
Defensive line
MSU is looking to rebound here the most, and that was reflected in the offseason approach. Expect to see improvement on the defensive line based on the added depth and better health, but the aggressive approach to revamping the front seven began last December. Malick Sylla, Jaray Bledsoe, DJ Reed and Will Whitson are all new arrivals expected to be big contributors early after showing out in the offseason.
The Golden Eagles also restocked the unit along with most of the defense, and return Brodarius Lewis after an impressive JUCO career. Marshall transfer Isaiah Gibson is another projected key member of the unit.
While there are unknowns for both sides, the depth and production is with the Bulldogs.
Edge: Mississippi State
Linebackers
Southern Miss has a good returning young talent in Chris Jones, a Hartfield Academy product, but many players are stepping up after not playing much, if at all, in their careers.
The Bulldogs, like at defensive line, loaded up in the transfer portal both on the outside and in the middle behind returners Nic Mitchell and Zakari Tillman. With Issac Smith moving between the LBs and secondary, there is much more run-stopping ability at the position this year.
Edge: Mississippi State
Secondary
Isaac Smith emerged as the leader of the defense for the Bulldogs a year ago, and he returns with plenty of talent behind him. There is a lot of excitement from the coaching staff around Old Dominion transfer Jahron Manning as well as returning corner Kelley Jones.
The Golden Eagles have talent in their room as well, notably Josh Moten coming in from Marshall, but the Bulldogs are deeper on paper.
Edge: Mississippi State
Special teams
MSU returns a strong leg in Kyle Ferrie, who is reportedly hitting field goals from 50-plus yards in camp and scrimmages. Ethan Pulliam switched full-time to football after playing baseball for a year, and was a solid punter in high school at Starkville.
There is not much information on USM’s kicker room, with a true freshman and two upperclassmen who have yet to see action.
Edge: Mississippi State
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