Reality setting in for Bulldogs
Mississippi State was expected to have a strong season in 2018 with the amount of experience and talent the Bulldogs returned on both sides of the ball.
But 10 games in, No. 21 MSU sits at 6-4 overall and a 2-4 mark in Southeastern Conference play under first-year head coach Joe Moorhead.
“I know there was an elevated level of expectation heading into the season for a myriad of reasons,” Moorhead said.
“From a historical context, we’re battling to get to where we haven’t been since 1941. I understand the disappointment because of the expectation level but reality is reality.”
The reality is that the Bulldogs have only scored 16 points and netted one touchdown in their four losses. State lost back-to-back games to Kentucky (28-7) and Florida (13-6) to close out September and lost 19-3 at LSU (19-3) last month before being shut out at Alabama (24-0) last weekend.
“Certainly, with the type of defense that we’re playing, I would’ve obviously been best to perform better and put more points up offensively in those games,” Moorhead said. “Part of it is being a first year, new offensive system that probably contributed to that.”
Although the season may not be going the way that many fans anticipated, Mississippi State did not meet their overall team goals either. But the Bulldogs still have a shot to match last year’s win total if they can win out regular season games against Arkansas and at Ole Miss and claim another bowl victory.
“Our ceiling of success is winning the SEC, getting into the playoffs and competing for a national championship,” Moorhead said.
“Our floor for success is six wins and qualifying for a bowl game. Obviously we didn’t achieve the former but we’ve already achieved the latter. The last two games with determine if we’ll be able to get to a good bowl game and nine wins.”
