Mississippi State was 10th in the SEC and 70th in the country in stopping the run last season. The Bulldogs gave up 174.6 yards per game, one of only six SEC teams to give up more than 150 yards on the ground per game.

Only Texas A&M saw opponents run the ball more against its defense – 555 attempts against the Aggies to 531 attempts against the Bulldogs.

Better or worse in 2016 will get an early judgment when LSU welcomes Mississippi State on Sept. 17. The Tigers ran for 266 yards last season in Starkville.

2015 STATS

Rushing yards allowed per game: 174.6 (10th in SEC, 70th in the nation)
Most rushing yards allowed in 2015: 266 (LSU, Sept. 12)
Rushing TDs allowed: 16 (9th in SEC)
100-yard rushers allowed: 4, Leonard Fournette (LSU), Peyton Barber (Auburn), Tra Carson (Texas A&M), Derrick Henry (Alabama)

FRONT SEVEN

New defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon isn’t running a 3-4, and he isn’t running a 4-3. As the previous two coordinators have done, Sirmon — coming from Southern Cal as the Bulldogs’ third DC in three years — will run a multiple front.

Losing Chris Jones to the Kansas City Chiefs is a blow but a sustainable one when looking at the talent across the defensive board: A.J. Jefferson, Jonathan Calvin and freshman Jeffery Simmons at end. An end will drop back to linebacker under Sirmon’s “Viper” designation, joining last season’s leading tackler, linebacker Richie Brown.

Mississippi State’s defensive thought has been to get the best players on the field at the same time, including the young ones like sophomore DBs Jamal Peters and Mark McLaurin.

WHO IS THE SECONDARY ENFORCER?

Head coach Dan Mullen reeled in a big fish with new cornerbacks coach Terrell Buckley. And Buckley has plenty to work with.

Sophomores in Brandon Bryant (3 INTs last season) and Jamal Peters (a hard-hitting ballhawk) are two of the biggest defensive back threats alongside a senior in Kivon Coman, who was third on the team with 76 tackles last season.

GREATEST CONCERN

That said, losing Taveze Calhoun and Will Redmond is a big deal.

The young DBs will have to fill those rolls. Guys like Bryant, Peters and McLaurin know how to get to the line to stop the run, but with Jones gone, teams will test Calvin, Jefferson, Torrey Dale and Will Coleman up front early on.

ONE STAT THAT MUST IMPROVE

The Bulldogs need to do a better job stopping the run on third down. In 2015, opponents picked up 23 first downs on 47 rushing attempts on third down with 3 or fewer yards to gain. On third down with 4-6 yards to gain for the first down, teams picked up first downs five times on eight runs, averaged 6.25 yards per carry and had three plays of 10 or more yards.

Even on 3rd-and-long (7-9 yards from a first down), Mississippi State allowed more than six yards per carry.

BETTER/WORSE IN 2016

Mississippi State didn’t get off the bus looking like a team that could be run on last season. But 10th in the conference and 70th in the nation isn’t going to cut it.

The Bulldogs again look pretty formidable when looking at the talent across the defensive line and secondary. A new coach in Sirmon brought a new-but-similar approach and inherited a lot of guys to fill his multiple slots.

There is a good mix of veterans along the line and young guys at linebacker and defensive back. While a new-look offense works itself out, the defense should be much better against the run.