Editor’s note: SDS’ annual preview of every SEC team’s defense continues with Mississippi State. Coming Friday: Ole Miss.

In what seemed like a bizarro college football world last season, it was the Mississippi State defense, not Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense, that kept the Bulldogs in some games.

In 4 of their losses, the Bulldogs allowed 14 points or less in the first half before wearing out in the second. The result? A defense that didn’t live up to its potential.

The good news for State is that, much like the offense, the defense was a “learning on the job” process with new defensive coordinator in Zach Arnett, who didn’t get a full spring practice to install his system.

Now, the bad news: Gone are stalwarts in the trenches Marquiss Spencer and Kobe Jones. So, too, are do-it-all team captain Erroll Thompson at linebacker and safety Marcus Murphy.

So how will this State defense turn out in 2021? Let’s play better or worse.

Pressuring the QB: Worse

Losing Spencer and Jones along the line will hurt as both disruptors liked to live in opposing backfields. Spencer finished 2020 with 3 sacks, 8 tackles for a loss and 1 quarterback hurry while Jones added 2 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. They were key to a unit that registered 25.0 sacks — good for 6th in the SEC. One caveat: 5 of those sacks came in the bowl win over Tulsa.

This doesn’t mean the cupboard is bare. Aaron Odom (2 sacks, 4 TFL) returns and gives MSU some stability while Jaden Crumedy (2 sacks, 3.5 TFL, 2 QB hurries) is back at nose tackle. Both are capable of producing much more.

State averaged 2 sacks per game last year in SEC play. Expect that number to drop some this season with the 2 big losses.

Run defense: Same

The Bulldogs return 2 starting linebackers in Tyrus Wheat and Aaron Brule. They combined for 107 tackles (Brule had 77), and Wheat was a ball magnet, intercepting a pass while forcing 2 fumbles and recovering 1. Wheat also posted 5 sacks and 6 tackles for loss and Brule added an eye-popping 8.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks.

Their impact helped State limit opponents to 126.3 yards per game last season — 4th-best in the SEC. Equally important, State only allowed 11 rushing TDs — 3rd-best in the SEC.

Still, losing Thompson will hurt. Beyond the leadership and experience, he made plays: 96 tackles (37 solo), 4 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, an interception and 3 quarterback hurries.

Except Nathaniel Watson to fill Thompson’s role this season. The redshirt junior played well as a backup last season and should be ready for a bigger role.

State was excellent against the rush last season. That should continue in 2021, especially considering their first 3 opponents — Louisiana Tech, NC State and Memphis — all finished 80th or worse in rushing offense last season with the Wolfpack at No. 107 and Bulldogs at 119.

Pass defense: Better

While the rush defense excelled, the pass defense did not. Opponents averaged 263.4 passing yards per game last year. State landed near the bottom of all the FBS at No. 105.

State also gave up 23 TDs through the air; only 3 SEC teams allowed more.

The biggest culprit? Explosive plays.

Only 1 SEC team allowed more 30-yard completions (24), 40-yard completions (12) and 50-yard completions (6) than State.

Simply put, the pass defense has to be better in 2021.

Safety Fred Peters returns and he should help in that effort. He got off to a strong start last season before suffering a season-ending injury in the 4th game. C.J. Morgan, who missed all of last season after a serious injury in 2019, also returns and gives the Bulldogs some quality depth in the secondary.

The most important piece might be Martin Emerson, who comes back at cornerback after a breakout sophomore season in which he broke up 11 passes and posted 72 tackles (45 solo), including 1.5 for loss.

Add in Shawn Preston Jr. and Jalen Green, a transfer from Texas, and the Bulldogs have a veteran group that, along with the skills of Wheat and Brule, should provide problems for passing games.

Overall: Slightly better

When Mike Leach is the coach, the defense can get overlooked. That wasn’t the case last season as the Bulldogs’ defense stayed solid as long as it could in almost every game.

Arnett’s unit is full of veterans who have been in the middle of an SEC schedule before so there are no excuses for them.

A couple of incoming freshmen could also make an immediate impact, including 4-star linebacker John Lewis and 3-star edge rusher Deonte Anderson.

Most analysts expect the Bulldogs’ offense to be markedly better in 2021. If the defense can take a step forward as well, it might also be a successful season as well.