The established culture in the SEC is that the Florida Gators are a power program and the Mississippi State Bulldogs are perennial bottom-feeders who make the most of their limited resources.

Even after Mississippi State’s first 10-win season in 74 years and back to back disappointing campaigns in Gainesville, that perception hasn’t changed. But as far as MSU coach Dan Mullen is concerned, there’s not much separating the two programs.

He admitted as much when asked about defensive coordinator Geoff Collins’ move from MSU to Jim McElwain’s new staff at Florida on Tuesday.

Mullen is hinting that serving as the defensive coordinator of the Gators is no more glamorous than serving as the D.C. at Mississippi State. And that’s saying a lot considering Mullen’s former ties to the Gators as their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2005-08.

The head coach’s comments do fall in line with his recent declarations that he’ll remain at Mississippi State, even after his name was heavily associated with Florida’s former head coaching vacancy, at least in the media.

McElwain reportedly reached out to Mullen to ask about talking to Collins regarding the defensive coordinator vacancy, which Mullen found to be a classy move.

So it seems Mullen does not have any disdain for McElwain, at least not publicly, after UF poached his defensive coordinator.

Nevertheless, he still found an opportunity to throw shade on an SEC rival, something Mississippi State is normally unable to do with its lack of football tradition.