Mississippi State must be the hardest team to figure out through 4 games in the SEC.

One could argue that they could/should be 1-3. Somebody else could just as passionately make the case for 4-0, which would be nice if they hope to make a bowl.

The reality is Bulldogs are 2-2 and 1 of 2 teams in the division not ranked by the Associated Press. The other unranked team? LSU.

Now, with the most difficult part of their schedule coming up, the Bulldogs need to get a few things figured out if they expect to compete against the gauntlet of SEC West opponents waiting for them.

Here are 2 things to fix and 2 to build on ahead of Texas A&M.

What to fix: The meltdowns

I define a meltdown as a multi-possession cascade of errors or poor play that leads to big deficits. For example, say the defense gives up a big play followed by a 3-and-out, followed by another touchdown.

With the exception of the Week 2 win over (now ranked) NC State, the Bulldogs have had a meltdown in each game.

The Bulldogs are 1-2 in games where they have a meltdown with the lone win coming against La. Tech.

There’s no doubt that the Bulldogs showed tremendous fight in all 3 of those games, but the better strategy would be to stop the meltdown from happening (I know the Memphis meltdown had a lot to do with refs. Regardless, it still happened).

Whether the defense needs a stop or the offense needs a big, long drive, when the quicksand comes, someone needs to step up. Making those meltdowns a bit softer would have already paid off this season.

Opening drive turnovers

Two games do not a trend make, but in the past 2 MSU games, the Bulldogs fumbled on the opening drive and it led to a touchdown and immediate deficit.

In both instances, the fumble resulted from an MSU error, not a great defensive play. It’s one thing to get outfoxed on a play call or for a superior opponent to make a big play. That’s football. However, it’s quite another thing to essentially hand an opponent the ball or worse, points.

Fundamentals appear to be the key to fixing this issue. Don’t try to do too much. Execute hand-offs. Cover the football.

In the Memphis game, the Bulldogs recaptured the lead quickly, but against LSU, they didn’t even get close until the final possession when they cut it to 3. MSU was in or near field goal range when the fumble happened.

What to build on: Run game

The Air Raid offense does not involve the typical establish-the-run mindset that most offenses have. However, when a run play is indeed called, it should work. Primarily because most teams now are dropping 7 or 8 defensive backs or hybrid linebackers into coverage.

Against LSU, the Tigers were so committed to keeping passes in front of them that lanes opened up in the run game. The Bulldogs attempted 26 rushes — 1 fewer rush than LSU — but outgained the Tigers on the ground 115-63. They still threw the ball 62 times, however.

Should opponents continue to think pass-defense first, the Bulldogs ought to take what’s available until it becomes too annoying. When that happens, safeties and linebackers find themselves cheating on the play and that’s when Will Rogers can try to take advantage over the top.

I have no problems with the Bulldogs attempting 25 rushes per game as long as they continue to average between 3-5 yards per attempt.

The defense

The MSU defense might be the most underrated story in the SEC this year. Despite lapses in Week 1, which led to home runs by La. Tech, the MSU defense has done a great job of playing fundamentally sound football.

The entire unit deserves praise, but for now, it’s hard not to mention the outstanding play of cornerback, Emmanuel Forbes. The sophomore from Grenada is picking up right where he left off in 2020 when he had 5 interceptions. So far in 2021, he has 2 interceptions (LSU, Memphis), 2 break-ups and 1 sack.

The middle of the defense is held down by junior linebacker Jett Johnson. The Tupelo native leads the team in tackles with 29 and is 1 off the lead in solo tackles with 14; Forbes and fellow CB Martin Emerson each have 15 solo tackles.

This Mississippi State defense deserves quite a bit more limelight than they’re getting. And against Texas A&M team starting a backup at quarterback, that defense needs to keep building.