Four Reasons for Concern About Mississippi State After the Oklahoma Loss

Mississippi State’s 4-0 start supplied factors to think the Bulldogs were turning a corner throughout an important 3rd season for Jeff Lebby.After being shut out by LSU, routing Oklahoma 10-0 at halftime and stopping working to score up until midway through the 3rd quarter, there are now reasons to be worried for fans in Starkville.Losses to the Crimson Tide and the Tigers exposed the range in between the Bulldogs and 2 of the conference’s more powerful programs, however Oklahoma offered a significant chance to react in the house.Here are 4 factors for issue as the 4-3 (2-3, SEC) Bulldogs go into the last stretch of the routine season.1. Passing Defense, Passing Defense, Passing Defense- and the Pass Rush Versus Alabama and LSU, Mississippi State permitted opposing quarterbacks to finish 49 of 62 passes for 593 backyards without a single interception.The Sooners entered this video game ranking amongst college football’s worst in a number of analytical classifications on the offending side of the ball.Rather, State’s pass defense stayed an issue, threatening the Bulldogs’ fading hopes of a Top 25 surface or a season with 7 or 8 wins.Versus LSU, protective backs kept an eye out of position on much deeper tosses, having a hard time to preserve take advantage of and remain in stage with receivers. On brief passes and screens, they took bad pursuit angles, stopping working to stop plays that need to have never ever made it much even more past the line of skirmish. Mississippi State permitted unneeded momentum and quit additional backyards after the catch.On John Mateer’s goal pass to Isaiah Sategna with 39 seconds staying in the 2nd quarter, State’s protectors appeared to lose their placing as Mateer extended the play. A blown protection by cornerback Kelley Jones and bad pursuit angle by security Dre Riley assisted Sategna beat the staying protectors to the end zone.Jones continued to pull away rather of closing on the reciever’s break, leaving area to perform the resurgence path.

— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) October 24, 2026

And State’s secondary was just beaten vertically for a simple 32-yard rating by tight end Rocky Beers. State had a hard time to match Oklahoma’s size and athleticism downfield.

Score quickly @John_Mateer4 x @beersboy_1 pic.twitter.com/WTkshs0BIt– Oklahoma Football( @OU_Football )October 24, 2026

After offending momentum from technique plays prepared by Lebby, consisting of an 18-yard goal pass from tight end Sam West to Camden Capehart, momentum was still in the structure at Davis-Wade Stadium regardless of all that had actually failed for State. The Bulldogs as soon as again stopped working versus the deep pass, with a John Mateer bomb to Sategna for a 54-yard gain.

SATEGNA DOWN THERE pic.twitter.com/ThJpaQaC5J– Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) October 24, 2026

If Rocky Beers had not dropped the pass, maybe the Sooners would have increased 24-7 at this moment, however they went for a basket to increase 20-7 with 3:33 staying in the 3rd quarter.To be reasonable, Jett Jefferson did have an outstanding pass separation on a deep toss at the start of the 4th quarter, assisting require a basket effort that Oklahoma missed out on. Mississippi State might not capitalize.Mississippi State has actually had a hard time to create constant pressure from the protective line.The defense looked sluggish and tired when pursuing John Mateer sometimes, and LSU and Oklahoma showed physical benefits in advance versus the Bulldogs.2. Missed Out On Scoring Opportunities Fluff Bothwell put a shot of electrical power into fans at Davis-Wade Stadium when he took an added the middle for a 37-yard gain to Oklahoma’s 46-yard line in the very first quarter, offering the Bulldogs a chance to rating.Kamario Taylor was hurt, and the drive failed. Mississippi State’s defense held strong throughout the rest of the quarter, with Oklahoma missing out on a basket early in the 2nd quarter.On another drive in the very first quarter, Billy Puckett revealed the very best variation of himself, performing an outstanding pump phony, breaking away from numerous protectors, and duping an unbelievable run inside the Sooners’ 10-yard line. Puckett fumbled away a quarterback draw the extremely next play.As soon as once again, with 8:49 staying in the 4th quarter, the Bulldogs still had life and were inside the Sooners’ 30-yard line. Puckett provided a pass to Zion Ragins, and the pass receiver flaunted his excellent athleticism and speed, almost getting to the objective line and putting State back into this ballgame.A holding call removed the gain, and Puckett tossed an interception on the really next play.Those were chances to alter the video game. Rather, State left possible points on the field through a turnover and a pricey charge.3. Quarterback Health Remains a Concern It was Kamario Taylor who as soon as again went down with an injury late in the very first quarter.As he attempted to leave pressure, Taylor appeared to prefer his ideal leg. He did not return for the rest of the video game.State had actually currently experienced how various its offense might look without Taylor. His newest exit raises another concern about whether the Bulldogs can keep their beginning quarterback healthy down the stretch.Puckett has a likewise interesting capability to Kamario Taylor, with excellent arm strength and the capability to run. His flashes versus Oklahoma revealed why State can still develop chances with him at quarterback.The Bulldogs require stability at the position, along with adequate security to offer either quarterback an opportunity to run.4. Complex Issues on a Skilled Yet Inconsistent OffenseEven with injuries making complex the image, Mississippi State has actually revealed enough offending skill to make its disparity irritating.Anthony Evans had an exceptionally athletic catch in the very first quarter, and receivers flaunted their speed and athleticism throughout. A lot of State’s a lot of amazing plays put the Bulldogs in position to rating. Turnovers and errors eliminated momentum.The failure to complete drives and secure the football has actually afflicted this group considering that the Alabama video game. Those issues have actually continued despite who has actually been at quarterback.State likewise transformed simply among 11 3rd downs versus Oklahoma, making it hard to sustain drives.The Bulldogs outscored the Sooners 15-13 in the 2nd half, however that action followed another scoreless very first half. Following the LSU nothing, that extended offending dry spell ought to function as a significant issue for State.

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