Mississippi State’s Jeff Lebby met with local media on Monday and had plenty to say about his Bulldogs and this weekend’s matchup with Arkansas in Starkville. Here are the highlights:
Bulldogs close to getting over the hump
Mississippi State is on a six-game losing streak, but not all losses are created equal. The Bulldogs have shown fight and noticeable improvement in three straight games against the gauntlet of Texas, Georgia and Texas A&M.
“I feel it. Our guys inside the building feel it every single day. It is an incredibly fine line where we have a chance to have a happy locker room if two things are different inside the game. It’s that close. Us understanding that with our preparation, dialing in to that piece of that and out-preparing our opponent starting today and finding a way to make that jump. There has been great improvement. We’ve gotten better but we need to get better and need to win. That’s what were striving to go do.”
RELATED: Sam Pittman meets with media ahead of Mississippi State
Will last weekend’s performances carry over into Saturday?
Mississippi State has gotten a little better each week with its most recent performance coming in an admirable 34-24 loss to a Texas A&M squad that is unbeaten in SEC play and holds a win over Arkansas.
The Razorbacks, of course, suffered a 34-10 setback at home against LSU over the weekend. While recent trends have the two teams trending in opposite directions, although Arkansas has had a far better season overall, none of that matters come kickoff Saturday.
“There is a little bit of carryover. When you watch Arkansas, Pittman has done an unbelievable job of getting those guys to find a way to win the close games. As he’s been there, that’s what they’re doing right now. Last week for them didn’t go, obviously, the same as it had the weeks before. But finding a way to beat Tennessee at home, finding a way to beat Auburn in a really close game. To me, that’s where they’ve made really big strides.
“You see a physical football team that plays with a ton of effort. It’s all over the tape and it’s in all three phases. Another really good SEC opponent that has won two SEC games. They’ll be coming in here Saturday morning and we’ll have to go play for victory.”
More Cowbell in the Morning at Mississippi State?
It will be a bright and early 11:45 a.m. (CT) kickoff between Arkansas and Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville (Miss.) Saturday. The Bulldog’ faithful have remained exactly that as Lebby works to build his program in Year 1, and he hopes the early start doesn’t make for a sleepy home crowd.
“It is a huge deal for us. I talked a little bit about it after the game and can’t say it enough. My appreciation for our fanbase and for that stadium to be the way it was on Saturday with us going through the things we’re going through right now, it was incredibly special.
“It was special for our recruits to see our fanbase create so much noise and show support for us in a time where things haven’t been perfect by any stretch. That will be a big thing for us Saturday. We will have a beautiful day for it and have a great SEC opponent coming to town and we need a great environment.”
Turnovers A Major Key For Both Teams
When Arkansas turns the ball over or loses the turnover battle, it typically loses games. When the Razorbacks play clean, they are typically right in the mix to earn a victory.
Mississippi State’s defense has essentially either given up points or come up with takeaways with very little middle ground. The Bulldogs came up with two interceptions against Texas A&M that kept them in striking distance on Saturday.
“That’s been a huge deal. We’ve got to continue to play complimentary football. The first pick we get, we get great field position and we’re not able to score a touchdown. That has to happen for us and we did take advantage of it in the second half.
“We did have a couple of opportunities to make huge plays on that first drive of the second half and you got a chance to change momentum and swing the game. Got to continue to do that and play with great eyes and great discipline to give us a chance. When we have a chance to go make it, go make it.”