At a high level, Dan Mullen’s offense is a spread-to-run scheme. He wants to run the ball, and he spreads out the defense to facilitate that running. Here are a couple of plays from Mississippi State’s game against Alabama from last year that illustrate the basic, bread-and-butter aspects of Mullen’s run game.
On this first play, there is no score late in the first quarter. It’s 2nd & 5 inside the opponent’s territory. In short, the offense can basically do whatever it wants. What it wants to do is run.
The Bulldogs start with three wide receivers, one on the short side and two on the field side, with a running back and a tight end with his hand in the dirt.