Jeff Lebby wasn’t anticipated to set the world on fireplace in his first season at Mississippi State, however he was at the very least anticipated to not be run out of his dwelling stadium by Toledo.
That is precisely what occurred on Saturday evening, because the Rockets had their approach with the Bulldogs in a dominant 41-17 victory. Mississippi State by no means led in Saturday’s contest and solely scored three factors in a primary half that noticed Toledo take a 28-3 lead into the locker room.
Not even a halftime break might key the Bulldogs again in, as Toledo scored inside the first 5 minutes of the third quarter to take a 35-3 lead. A 41-17 closing rating burned into the scoreboard at Davis-Wade Stadium when the clock hit zeros, leaving many Mississippi State followers questioning how the Bulldogs acquired right here.
After the premature passing of legendary coach Mike Leach, Zach Arnett was tapped to be the top coach of the Bulldogs in 2023. Mississippi State’s 2023 marketing campaign was abysmal — a 5-7 season led to Arnett’s firing after simply 10 video games as head coach.
To be truthful, no person anticipated a lot from the Bulldogs in 2023. In spite of everything, Arnett was largely seen as a placeholder till the Bulldogs discovered their subsequent everlasting possibility at head coach.
Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby was chosen to fill that position, however by way of three video games, the on-field product has arguably gotten worse than it was at any level final fall.
A 30-23 loss in opposition to Arizona State in Week 2 could have put the writing on the wall, as late scores made the Bulldogs loss look a lot nearer than it really was, however Saturday’s defeat was the type that might activate the burner beneath Lebby’s seat.
Firing a first-time head coach in his maiden season — or after three video games, as some followers have known as for — could be absurd, however Mississippi State followers are rightfully annoyed.
Saturday’s sport wasn’t even remotely aggressive and if the Bulldogs cannot sustain with a MAC workforce, how dangerous will issues get once they play the likes of Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Missouri?
All 5 of these groups are on Mississippi State’s schedule in an eight-game span, with extra SEC matchups in opposition to Florida, Texas A&M and Arkansas on faucet.
Solely a Nov. 2 matchup in opposition to Massachusetts looks as if a positive victory for Lebby, however after Saturday’s loss, not even that is a assure.
If Lebby needs to into 12 months 2 with out feeling like his job is on the road each week, he should discover a approach to string collectively wins. A winnable dwelling matchup with Florida looms on Sept. 21, however it’ll take a fair proportion of miracles for the Bulldogs to succeed in a bowl sport.