Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby is confident in roster upgrades, but the SEC schedule is tough

Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby remains confident in his roster upgrades, despite the challenging SEC schedule. The Bulldogs have only won two games against conference opponents in the past three seasons, but Lebby believes his roster is in a much better position than in recent years. Sophomore quarterback Kamario Taylor, who served as a backup last season, is now seen as a potential star in Lebby's offensive system, which will feature an up-tempo blend of QB runs and passes.

The team also relies on receivers Anthony Evans III and Marquis Johnson, who could help the Bulldogs wear down opposing defenses. However, the Bulldogs' offensive and defensive lines still have concerns, as they struggled with allowing 45 sacks last season. Running back Fluff Bothwell and defensive standout Kelly Jones, a Jim Thorpe Award candidate, will help bolster the team's conventional running game and defense.

As for the schedule, MSU will face tough opponents like No. 13 Alabama, No. 11 LSU, No. 10 Oklahoma, and No. 5 Texas. Despite these challenges, Lebby asserts that Mississippi State is in a "much better spot than we were a year ago today."