On To The Next One
October 03, 2022 | Football, Joel Coleman
Bulldogs remain laser focused after big win.
STARKVILLE – You probably know by now there'll be a number next to Mississippi State's name when the Bulldogs host Arkansas this Saturday.
As revealed Sunday following MSU's dominating win over Texas A&M last weekend, State is now the No. 23 team in the country in both the Associated Press and USA Today coaches polls.
That's all well and good. It signifies the Bulldogs are winning games and finding success. However, you won't find head coach Mike Leach or his team spending any time basking in the glow of a national ranking. There's no time for all that.
"I pretty much ignore [rankings] and just try to go to the next [game]," Leach said at his weekly press conference on Monday. "I've been busy watching film [all Sunday night] and that'll happen again [Monday night], so I'm kind of preoccupied with that."
One film session at a time. One day at a time. One game at the time. It's the Leach way.
A lot of coaches say it. Leach has lived it to the tune of 154 career wins as an FBS head coach – the second-most among all active Southeastern Conference coaches and fifth-most among active Power Five coaches.
Leach understands resting on the laurels of a midseason ranking is fruitless. Odds are, his team will mimic his attitude. Seems like a safe bet as the Bulldogs head into the weekend adhering more and more to their leader's teachings with each passing day.
You know that consistency thing Leach always harps on? Well, the Bulldogs are displaying more and more of it to resounding results. The triumph over Texas A&M illustrated how MSU has grown into a unit where – when everyone does his job repetitively – the Dawgs are as tough to tame as anyone. They're now one of just three teams in the country with at least three wins against FBS opponents that have winning records.
"I did think we were more consistent [last Saturday]," Leach affirmed. "When we did have adversity on offense, the defense picked us up. When something went wrong on defense, the offense picked us up. I thought special teams figured in as well. That's what you want – complimentary football where all phases are upholding their end."
It's the sign of a good team when everyone works together. The 2022 Bulldogs are thriving on that sort of thing, collectively and individually.
Nick Jones has had to fill in at left tackle and he's excelled. He and the State offensive line didn't allow a sack last week, protecting quarterback Will Rogers for yet another 300-plus-yard passing day and laying the groundwork for the second-best team rushing performance of MSU's Leach era.
On the defensive side, linebacker J.P. Purvis exemplified teamwork against the Aggies as he was forced into his most extensive playing time yet and answered by racking up a career-high seven tackles including 1.5 sacks.
Those types of showings are why this State team is making noise. It's why that number will be next to the name on Saturday. Players are responding with regularity.
If they keep doing it, the Bulldogs can keep on rising in the polls – just don't expect any of them to pay all that much attention to the digit representing their ranking.
"There's no real stopping point on the poll thing," Leach said. "Just try to worry about what's right now and what you can control. [Monday], it's put together the best game plan you can. [Tuesday], it's have the best practice you can and so it goes."
