Mississippi State holds a 2-6 record as the Bulldogs prepare to play Auburn this week.

Because bowl invitations this season are open to all teams, regardless of record, coach Mike Leach was asked how the Bulldogs would handle such a possibility.

“I certainly would be in favor of it, I want to play as many games as we can,” Leach said at his Monday press conference. “We’ve got a young team and the more practice, the more work we get the better, the way I look at it.”

About next year, and the announcement that QB KJ Costello would play in the East-West Shrine Bowl news, Leach said Costello coming back is still in the works and he’s not sure yet.

The Bulldogs are again facing thin numbers with regard to players being available, but Leach said the Georgia game was a good example of getting better even though they took the field with less than 50 players.

“I think whatever time we do have we have to utilize to get better in the time we have,” he said.

While the Missouri game is also still pending on Dec. 19, Leach spoke of a couple of seniors, Kobe Jones and Erroll Thompson, who stood out to him this season as he’s made the transition to being a first-year coach. State will honor its seniors on Saturday against Auburn.

“They’ve done a great job, Kobe and Erroll are guys that really jump to mind,” Leach said. “I’ve really felt the presence of Kobe in particular and then also Erroll with regard to energy and focus on our team, just being really committed to task and what we’re doing is who I’ve felt the most influence from.”