How will the bulldogs do with Coach Zach Arnett?
Mississippi State comes into the 2023 season looking to build off of Mike Leach’s final team. Zach Arnett has the impossible job of replacing one of the top College Football minds in the last two decades.
Mississippi State has bolstered their program level with Leach and former coach Dan Mullen. Will Rogers who really came along with Leach will return as one of the top signal callers in all of the league. The question is whether Arnett and staff can continue to put him in the best position to succeed.
A Look at the 2022 Mississippi State Football Team
Let’s take a quick look at the Bulldog’s 2022 Season results. State started off at 5 -1 and then stumbled to 8 – 4 down the stretch. An emotional bowl victory over the Illini ended the season with a solid 9 – 4 record.
After a 2-10 first season, Clark Lea improved his team by 3 wins in year 2. That’s actually impressive for anyone but especially Vanderbilt. Huge wins in November against Kentucky and Florida had this team dreaming about bowling until the cross state big brother rivals showed up.
How will the Bulldogs fair in 2023?
The bulldogs enter unknown territory with a new head coach. Arnett will be learning on the job but doesn’t mean he can’t have immediate success
SE Louisiana at Mississippi State
This is a great starter game for the Bulldogs to get out as many kinks in the system as they can. Bulldogs will win this one big.
W SE LA 7 – Mississippi St. 28
Arizona at Mississippi State
This game may be the biggest gauge game there is this season. The bulldogs should have the horses to drive the Wildcats back to what’s left of the PAC-4ish. Will Rogers has big game and State starts to look like a bowl team.
W Arizona 21 – Mississippi State 31
LSU at Mississippi State
Brian Kelly brings his defending SEC West Champions to Starkville. LSU will likely be firing on all cylinders once this game hits. Mississippi State will need to have a stout defense against the Tigers to be able to keep up. The Bulldogs will look to their leader Rogers to keep them in this battle. Arnett likely suffers his first loss.
L LSU 38 – Mississippi State 21
Mississippi State at South Carolina
Beamer ball welcomes the bulldogs to town on September 23. Mississippi State will bring their team on the road for the first time looking to bounce back from tough loss at home to the Tigers from Louisiana. State fights hard but Spencer Rattler and crew should handle this one in a close one.
L Mississippi State 28 – South Carolina 31
Alabama at Mississippi State
Alabama comes to town on the last day of September. Unfortunately for State, the tide will roll through Starkville on this Saturday. Mississippi State will drop three in a row here.
L Alabama 37 – Mississippi State 17
Western Michigan at Mississippi State
Western Michigan comes through town on October 7th. The bulldogs will have an opportunity to get a lot of things fixed. Will Rogers throws for 300+ yards and gets an early exit.
W Western Michigan 6 – Mississippi State 42
Mississippi State Projected Record through October 7 (3 - 3)
Mississippi State at Arkansas
The Mississippi State Bulldogs will be off on the October 14th week. This should give them plenty of time to prepare for the Razorbacks. The hogs should be hungry and may be fighting for their coaches job at this point. Mississippi State will bring the fight to Arkansas and should be in the game late in the fourth.
L Mississippi State 34 – Arkansas 35
Mississippi State at Auburn Tigers
Coach Arnett brings his team on their second straight road game. New Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze should have the tigers improving by this point. The talent disparity here will be too much. State again fights hard but the results do not come.
L Mississippi State 24 – Auburn 34
Kentucky at Mississippi State
November brings urgency to the teams with 3 or less wins in a push for a bowl game. Kentucky brings back former offensive coordinator Liam Coen. Coen was much more dynamic in play calling than the 2022 Wildcats. Kentucky should be rolling with a much improved offense. The bulldogs will need to bring the fight to have success today.
L Kentucky 37 – Mississippi State 21
MS State at Texas A&M
If you believe what some other people are saying, A&M should be in the playoff hunt at this point in the season. If the Aggies are undefeated or a 1 loss team, then the Bulldogs don’t stand much of a chance in this one. We however don’t buy the A&M hype
W Mississippi State 27 – Texas A&M 24
Southern Miss at Mississippi State
The Golden Eagles come to Mississippi State on the 18th of November. This should give Arnett’s team a chance to get that all important 5th win.
W Southern Mississippi 13 – Mississippi State 44
The Egg Bowl
In his last victory Mike Leach defeated the Rebels 24-22. While the Rebels should have a significant talent advantage, this one will be up for grabs.
L Ole Miss 23 – Mississippi State 14
Mississippi State Football Record Prediction 2023 5 - 7
Mississippi State and new head coach Zach Arnett are in tough situation. Arnett will have several opportunities to improve his team on the field. The Bulldogs will have an opportunity to go bowling but will need to continue the fire power of seasons’ past.