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Mississippi State football: Can Mike Leach fix Bulldogs in 2020?

By Michael Hanich

STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 21: Members of the Mississippi State Bulldogs run on to the field prior to their game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Davis Wade Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 21: Members of the Mississippi State Bulldogs run on to the field prior to their game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Davis Wade Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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Kylin Hill, Mississippi State football (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /

Mike Leach will need time to develop air-raid

Much like every team under Mike Leach, the Bulldogs will Leach be their offensive coordinator. He will once again take control of the offense and build a system that he is most familiar with, the air-raid.

The Bulldogs are committed to the process of building the system as there has been some success with the offensive play style at Texas Tech and Washington State. Leach brought four of his coaches in Eric Mele (running backs), Mason Miller (offensive line), Dave Nichol (inside receivers) and Steve Spurrier Jr. (outside receivers) from Washington State to Starkville.

The Bulldogs are willing to try a new offensive scheme to create some offensive consistency against the tough defenses of the SEC. Last season, the Bulldogs were 74th in the nation (seventh in the SEC) in points per game (27.6) and 70th in the nation (seventh in the SEC) in total yards per game (400.1). The Bulldogs only converted 38 percent (58-of-149) on third downs overall.

Mississippi State acknowledges they need to get better in every major phase on the offensive side of the ball. This season is the start to get themselves to that measure.

The Bulldogs found themselves juggling which quarterback they felt more comfortable with running their offense. Joe Moorhead thought the connection that previously experienced with Penn State transfer Tommy Stevens would be sufficient. He played well in certain circumstances but was often injured as he played in nine games in 2019. This left true freshman quarterback Garrett Shrader to take on the role prematurely but did well in multiple games. He was ninth in the SEC in passing efficiency (132.5).

The Bulldogs caught a huge break with Stanford transfer K.J. Costello as he looks to make the start this season. His best season was in 2018 where he passed for 3,540 yards, 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

While the Bulldogs are looking to transition to an air-raid offense, they are bound to still utilize their star senior running back in Kylin Hill. Last season, he rushed for 1,350 yards and 10 touchdowns on 242 carries as well as catching 18 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown. Hill has rushed for 2,477 yards and 16 touchdowns on 437 carries in his three years at Mississippi State. If he can replicate another 1,000-yard rushing season, he will able to be listed third all-time in program history in total rushing yards accounted for.

Leach is no stranger to utilizing running backs as flex rushers/receivers as the Bulldogs look for Hill to be the same player.

Mississippi State needs more wide receivers to turn into consistent playmakers. It does not need one dominant receiver to take the load of the throws from Costello, but it will need multiple.

Leading wide receiver Osirus Mitchell returns after catching 29 passes for 430 yards and six touchdowns. JaVonta Parker and Austin Williams are projected to start after they combined for 20 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns in 2019. They do have some key transfers they could potentially rely on this upcoming season in Tyrell Shavers (Alabama) and Jay Banks Jr. (Louisville).

The offensive line for the Bulldogs will need patience while developing the air-raid offense. Miller has experience developing offensive lines to adapt to the speed of the air raid. The Bulldogs return two offensive linemen. Left guard Dareuan Parker and right tackle Greg Eiland return as starters and seniors on a line that gave up 31 sacks this past season.

Mississippi State can rely on former Alabama Crimson Tide transfer in tackle Scott Lashley to compete for a starting spot. They have been highly efficient in creating push at the line of scrimmage when it comes to the run game but they will need more consistency in protecting the pocket.

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