Arnett & Barbay tasked with keeping Bulldogs on upward trajectory

College football prognosticators are likely befuddled by Mississippi State.

The shocking death of coach Mike Leach last December leaves a glut of uncertainty.

Former defensive coordinator Zach Arnett, who has never previously been a head coach, was chosen as Leach’s successor.

The offense is now led by Kevin Barbay, who previously supervised high-scoring offensive units at Appalachian State and Central Michigan.

The onus is on Arnett and Barbay to keep a rising program on an upward trajectory.

Last year, the Bulldogs posted nine victories, finished tied for third in the Southeastern Conference West Division standings and were No. 20 in the final rankings.

This season, third-year starting quarterback Will Rogers — who has led the SEC in passing in each of the past two years — heads a group of 10 offensive players who started at least six games in 2022.

And although only four starters return on defense, the Bulldogs are typically solid on that side of the line of scrimmage. Mississippi State has ranked fifth or better in SEC total defense in five of the last six seasons.

That all would hint to another impending good year in Starkville if Leach was still on the sidelines to direct his “Air Raid” offense.

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Last year, Jo’quayvious Marks rushed for 582 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

Maybe another good year awaits, anyway.

There is certainly material with which to work.

Along with Rogers, four starters return in the offensive line. Running backs Jo’quavious Marks and Penn State transfer Keyvone Lee are capable. Receivers Rufus Harvey, Lideatrick Griffin and Jaden Walley all had at least 34 catches last season.

Arnett fielded stout defenses in three seasons as Mississippi State’s defensive coordinator. Last year, the Bulldogs held eight opponents to 24 points or less.

With the return of linebackers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson, the top tacklers in 2022, Arnett figures to again field a solid defensive unit.

Is that enough for Mississippi State to be a contender in the SEC West? Perplexed prognosticators are trying to figure that out.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

2022 record: 9-4, 4-4

Returning starters

• Offense (10): OL Cole Smith, OL Kameron Jones, OL Nick Jones, OL Kwatrivous Johnson, OL Steven Lasoya III, QB Will Rogers, WR Rufus Harvey, WR Jaden Walley, WR Lideatrick Griffin, RB Jo’quavious Marks
• Defense (4): CB Decamerion Richardson, LB Nathaniel Watson, LB Jett Johnson, DL Nathan Pickering

Primary Area of Strength: Quarterback play is obvious. Will Rogers has started for 2 1/2 seasons and has led the Southeastern Conference in passing for the last two. Also, Mississippi State was sound on defense and leading tacklers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson return at linebacker.

Primary Area of Concern: Cornerback Decamerion Richardson is the only returning starter in the secondary. The greatest loss is cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, who had 14 interceptions in three seasons. The Bulldogs are counting heavily on transfer portal additions to shore up the secondary.

Significant additions

• TE Ryland Goede: Once a four-star recruit, he was stuck behind Brock Bowers on the Georgia depth chart. No shame in that, but he gets a chance to show his ability in a new system.
• RB Keyvone Lee: Appeared in only five games for Penn State in 2022 but rushed for a respectable 530 yards in 2021.

Significant losses

• CB Emmanuel Forbes: The first-round draft choice of the Washington Commanders had a knack for creating turnovers.
• WR Rara Thomas: Transferred to Georgia after averaging 14.2 yards on 44 catches and scoring seven touchdowns.
• WR Caleb Ducking: Had 46 catches and a team-high eight touchdown grabs last season. Entered the transfer portal but hasn’t seemed to surface anywhere.
• DT Cameron Young: A fourth-round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks.

Top Players

• QB Will Rogers: Third-year starter has thrown 71 touchdown passes this last two seasons combined.
• LB Jett Johnson: Led the Southeastern Conference with 116 tackles last season.
• LB Nathaniel Watson: Emerged as a force on the defense last season with 114 tackles, 12 for losses, six sacks and a forced fumble.

2023 Mississippi State Schedule

• Sept. 2 vs. Southeast Louisiana
• Sept. 9 vs. Arizona
• Sept. 16 vs. LSU
• Sept. 23 at South Carolina
• Sept. 30 vs. Alabama
• Oct. 7 vs. Western Michigan
• Oct. 14 at Arkansas
• Oct. 28 at Auburn
• Oct. 4 vs. Kentucky
• Nov. 11 at Texas A&M
• Nov. 18 vs. Southern Miss
• Nov. 23 vs. Ole Miss