Mississippi State is 3-2 after a home upset win over Texas A&M. It will turn its eyes toward Oct. 16 as it welcomes Alabama into Davis Wade Stadium.

First, though, is the open week. And as the Bulldogs resume practicing in preparation for the Crimson Tide, one player that will be in focus is Will Rogers. The sophomore has thrown for 1,862 yards, 14 touchdowns, and just 2 interceptions through 5 games in Mike Leach’s “Air Raid” offense while completing over 75 percent of his passes.

For Leach, who’s had more than a few talented quarterbacks develop under his tutelage, much of the credit belongs to the Bulldogs’ receiving corps and offensive line, with Rogers being able to benefit from improved play from both units.

“I think the people around him have gotten better,” Leach said, according to 247Sports. “Some of what he’s been able to do is a byproduct of the receivers being in the spot more precisely and the offensive line protecting better. That type of thing. Him becoming familiar with that. It’s a lot more precise when he knows where they’re going to be and they know where he is going to throw it.”

But it’s not been perfect — at least, not yet.

“It’s still a work in progress,” Leach said. “We still have to get a lot better at it, but we’re a lot better at it than when we started.”