Film Study: Why Miss. State matches up with LSU very well

For the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the chance to prove they belong among the elite of the Southeastern Conference begins in earnest with a Week 4 matchup against the extremely formidable LSU Tigers.

State rides the most talented team of head coach Dan Mullen’s tenure with bona fide stars on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Dak Prescott has, thus far, lived up to the praise that was bestowed upon him this past offseason.

His ability as an athlete was apparent, but now he’s starting to transform into a complete QB who is able to control the game from the pocket.

Defensively, coordinator Geoff Collins is rounding into his own, schematically speaking, and unleashing a ferocious attack on opposing offenses.

While LSU represents a clear step up in competition — no disrespect to South Alabama, University of Alabama-Birmingham or Southern Mississippi — the task remains simple for State: take care of the ball; run the ball; stop the run.

If MSU can be proficient in these three areas, a win should be theirs for the taking.

Background/Philosophy 

State’s spread-based offensive attack essentially works right into LSU’s hands. LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis owns the title for dissecting spread offenses with recent destructions of Auburn, Texas A&M and even State the past few seasons.

But this year’s LSU defense doesn’t possess the type of talent — along the front seven — as past incarnations of the unit. However, it must be highlighted that the secondary is every bit as talented as we’re used to seeing from the Tigers.

Chavis’ 4-2-5-based defense is meant to get its best athletes on the field at the same time. Despite the overabundance of defensive backs, the scheme is usually as physical as it gets due to the presence of flourishing NFL-type talent along the defensive line.

While there’s still some talent there — defensive end Danielle Hunter immediately comes to mind — this version has been apt to struggling against the run. Specifically with between-the-tackles rushes.

Here’s an example of LSU’s line being dominated between the tackles. Against the Wisconsin Badgers, who may have the very best line in the nation, the lack of push was very evident on a few of the Badgers’ explosive runs.

Superstar Badger tailback Melvin Gordon was able to get skinny through a perfectly formed hole and is able to generate 63 yards on a between-the-tackles run.

While it must be noted that State doesn’t have a tailback with the type of talent Gordon has, it does have a very effective between-the-tackles runner in Prescott.

That’s right; the QB may be the best inside runner on the team, and he’s one of the best in the conference.

At 6’2″, 230 pounds, Prescott is built similarly to University of Georgia star running back Todd Gurley. And that’s not the only characteristic the two share.

Here’s Prescott showing off his ability to improvise. He’s great at designed runs, but his ability to make something out of nothing is a scary proposition for anyone State plays. His short-area agility is something to behold, and he possess some serious breakaway speed.

Additionally, the 5’9″, 215-pound Josh Robinson packs a bit of a punch at the running back position. It will be imperative for State to establish the run game if it wants to come away with a victory.

While MSU has improved in the passing department, thanks to Prescott’s improved mechanics, yards may be hard to come by on a snap-by-snap basis.

Corners Jalen Collins, Tre’Davious White, Dwayne Thomas and Rashard Robinson make up the best quartet in the conference. And when you factor in the skill sets of safeties Jalen Mills and Ronald Martin, you can see how it’s arguably the best in the nation.

State wide receiver Jameon Lewis is a very talented player and should not be ignored in the game plan, but Prescott shouldn’t try to force anything that’s not there against the Tigers secondary.

The Tigers’ secondary loves to support the run which may eventually open up explosive downfield opportunities for Prescott and company.

State Better Bring Its Big Boy Pants In Run Defense

One of the best kept secrets in the SEC revolves around the proficiency of MSU’s defensive unit. Led by rising star coordinator Collins, and his “Psycho” 4-3-based outfit, State’s physical brand of defense is enough to give any offense cause for pause.

But it’s a great matchup for pro-style offenses — which is exactly what the Tigers will be bringing to the table.

What makes LSU’s offense difficult to conquer is its ability to use the threat of the vertical pass to open up its smashmouth run game. Coordinator Cam Cameron will virtually take a shot downfield each series.

And quiet as kept, QB Anthony Jennings may be the best deep-ball thrower in the conference and receiver Travin Dural has generated 370 yards on only 12 catches (30.8 yards per catch)!

But the ability to stretch defenses is primarily centered on a strong rushing attack. And between Kenny Hilliard, Terrence Magee and Leonard Fournette, the Tigers have one of the most ferocious ground games around.

However, State will counter with one of the nastiest defensive lines around.

Here we see how Collins puts his line in position to make plays. He employs a pseudo nose tackle (2-technique) which occupies a couple of blockers. This also allows the 6- and 9-techniques to receive solo blocking as well.

As it pertains to this sequence, the line stonewalls the trap-blocking scheme, and the “Will” linebacker (Beniquez Brown) shoots the A-gap and makes the play behind the line of scrimmage.

Defensive end Preston Smith (6’6″, 270 lbs) is a force to be reckoned with having generated two sacks and two interceptions during this brief part of the season. He’s a powerful player but has good off-the-snap quickness.

Hybrid end/tackle Chris Jones (6’5″, 300 lbs) is a future top-10 selection in the NFL draft who can singlehandedly wreck an offensive backfield.

The rest of the line is filled with very capable players who are typically larger in size. To put it simply, this is a grown man’s line.

And when the Tigers do make it to the second level of the defense, they have to deal with perhaps the premier linebacker in the country, Benardrick McKinney (6’5″, 245 lbs) — in addition to the aforementioned Brown.

If State can continue its dominance against the run, it will force the Tigers to complete more than deep passes to win. As great as the Tigers have been in the vertical department, they have yet to establish a rhythm in the short-to-intermediate passing game.

Furthermore, if State can continue its own rushing dominance — as it has the third-highest total in the SEC with 781 yards —  it may be able to loosen up the Vise-Grip-like hold the Tigers secondary will have on its receivers.

We’ve been hearing how close Mississippi State is to vaulting into the elite of the SEC.

Now’s the time, State… On Saturday night… In “Death Valley.”

Gulp.