Mississippi State’s defense could charitably be called “poor” last season. It allowed 32 points and 459 yards per game. There were five games when the Bulldogs allowed 500 yards and three in which they surrendered 600 yards. They gave up 33 TD passes.
It was a symptom of a bigger problem: For all the goodwill — and success — Dan Mullen has brought to Starkville, he never truly had a stifling defense. Yes, coordinators Manny Diaz and Geoff Collins had their moments, but they were among six different DCs Mullen had before he turned to Todd Grantham this season.