Optimism for the Fall
Mississippi State’s 2023 offense could be considered a bright spot of optimism for the upcoming season.
Yes, there were some defections from the team that went 9-4 in 2022. However, many did return, some deciding against entering the NFL draft or transfer.
State won its New Year’s Day bowl game against Illinois, Zach Arnett’s first game as HC. It had more to do with how they did it, coming from behind and scoring 16 unanswered points in the final quarter.
Many will tell you that kind of fortitude comes from inspiration at the top. Arnett is by all accounts a player’s coach and perhaps a reason for their loyalty to the program.
But Arnett was the defensive coordinator for the past three years for the Bulldogs. What influence could he possibly have on offense?
It is often said that a good boss delegates to his staff, especially in areas that might not be the boss’ strength.
A Brand New Offense
To that end, Arnett went out and hired Kevin Barbay as his new offensive coordinator and quarterback coach.
He comes to the Dawgs fresh from a successful stint as offensive coordinator at Appalachian State. The Mountaineers offense was ranked eighth nationally with 21 plays of 40+ yards.
Suffice it to say, Air Raid will be gone in favor of a more balanced attack, the tight end position is coming back, and the quarterback will be under center on more occasions.
Considering that State has a new athletic director, a new head coach, and now Barbay, it promises to be a brave new era for the Bulldogs in 2023.
But let’s see what personnel will be in place to execute this new offense.
The Bright Spots of Returning Starters
Phil Steele, well-known sportswriter, and prognosticator, has chosen seven Bulldogs in his preseason All-SEC team. Out of those seven, four are from Mississippi State’s offense.
Will Rogers: There was some speculation that the ace quarterback would jump to the NFL. In fact, prior to his stellar 2022 season, Sports Illustrated pinned him as a potential number-one draft pick in 2023.
Then a 9–4 season, records broken, the death of his head coach Mike Leach, a familiar new head coach, an incredible come-from-behind win on New Year’s Day, and the rest seemed to write itself.
As offensive coordinator, Barbay said in an interview with Jackson’s Clarion-Ledger, “He’s a no-ego, unselfish football player. His drive and his hunger to say, ‘OK, we’re not Air Raid anymore? What do you want me to run? I’m good.’ He has really, in a short amount of time, been impressive.”
It didn’t hurt that Rogers willingly interrupted his duck hunting trip to come back to Starkville for a film review of the new offense. Needless to say, crystal ball notwithstanding, Rogers’ NFL draft stock should be a great deal more valuable after the coming season.
Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin: On January 14, 2023, Griffin announced he was entering the transfer portal.
There must have been some heavy soul-searching going on with Griffin. Four days later he withdrew from the portal and returned to the Dawgs.
Perhaps part of his decision-making was emotional. He was a true freshman in Mike Leach’s first season at State. But he also racked up some impressive accomplishments in those three years.
In Leach’s and his first bowl appearance, Griffin was named MVP of the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl. He racked up 138 yards on four carries and scored the winning touchdown.
In 2022, he led the FBS in kick return yards, and he was equally impressive as a wide receiver. He had 40 receptions, 502 yards, and four touchdowns, for an average of 13.3 yards/reception.
The Rogers – Griffin combo could be very compelling in 2023.
Zavion Thomas: This wide receiver/punt returner makes a dual threat alongside Griffin. He also snatched his name back from the transfer portal back in January.
Thomas was the primary punt returner for the Bulldogs in 2022. He averaged 13.5 yards/return and ran one back for a touchdown against the number-one-ranked Georgia Bulldogs last November.
If you saw the Maroon and White Spring Game, you might remember the phenomenal one-handed 55-yard touchdown grab he made. It was a Sportscenter moment.
Cole Smith: As one might imagine, the partnership between the quarterback and his center is one of the most important on the field.
But Smith is a double threat playing every snap at center against LSU and Arkansas in 2020, but also right and left guard.
In this year’s Spring game, Barbay had Smith playing primarily at center, a position he relishes. Rogers has worked well with him before.
About the new offense, Smith told 247Sports, “It is a lot different because the schemes are a lot different. We have a lot more run but we still have a good bit of passing, too. It’s a little different because of the physicality up front.”
Other Notables Returning
Not all the players were mentioned in Phil Steele’s Preseason All-SEC. That does not diminish their importance to the 2023 offense. These guys will surely make a major difference for the Bulldogs.
Jo’quavious “Woody” Marks: This veteran senior running back has 36 career games and 23 starts under his belt. He only missed one game in his MSU career.
As a running back in 2022, he led the team in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and touchdowns. He has been performing at that level since he was a freshman.
Another impressive aspect of his career is as a receiving back.
He has at least one reception in every one of his 36 games. He has the most receiving yards by a running back in program history at 1,058.
Even as a freshman, he set the single-season record for receptions by a freshman and a running back with 60. Prior to that 2020 season, the record was 37 held by Justin Griffith in 1999.
Marks should be excited about playing in the Barbay offense. The design calls for a player not to be stuck in one place. This allows for movement around the field for different matchups. Marks’ versatility should play very well into that style.
The Offensive Line:
The good news for the Bulldogs is that the vast majority of the men upfront are returning this year.
They were a large part of their successful 9-4 season in 2022
Returning at left tackle is Nick Jones. He started last year at guard and played 933 snaps. Later in the year, he moved out to tackle, so there is that versatility in case it’s needed.
The left guard will be Kwatrivous Johnson. He had limited play in 2022 but was a full-time starter in 2021. He moves into this position from left tackle.
Continuing right of center, Steven Losoya will man the position of right guard. This is his third season as a full-time starter.
Versatility is a key here as in most of the line. Lasoya played mostly at the guard position last year but did play some center.
Kameron Jones fills out the remainder of the line at right tackle. This is his fourth season as a full-time starter.
This is probably the most experienced O-Line in the SEC. The Barbay schemes require a lot more mobility with pulling guards in the run game.
We’ll discuss this in more detail in an upcoming article examining the Barbay offense.
They Came in Through the Portal
The transfer portal cuts both ways, taking away some key players, but providing the opportunity to fill key positions. This is especially true when bringing in a new strategy to Mississippi State’s 2023 offense.
Barbay’s offense is bringing tight ends back to the mix with some edge blocking and options in the passing game. The portal brought in two key tight ends from two of last year’s playoff teams.
This is a return trip for Geor’quarius Spivey. He spent his first three seasons at Mississippi State, transferred to TCU, then transferred back to the Bulldogs. At 6-5, Spivey had 11 catches for 136 yards and one touchdown in the National Championship game
Ryland Goede transfers to MSU from Georgia. He played in 19 career games on back-to-back national championship teams for the other Dawgs from 2019 – 2022. Goede comes in at 6- 6 and 240 pounds as a graduate student.
Keyvone Lee transferred through the portal from Penn State. He provides additional running power to complement Woody Marks at running back. He played in nine games as a true freshman for the Nittany Lions in 2020, amassing 438 yards and four touchdowns. The following year he racked up 530 yards and two touchdowns but lost his spot last year.
Barbay’s offense is very fluid, so don’t be surprised to see a two-back scheme. Marks and Lee could be in various parts of the field, in the slot, pitching reverses, or power runs with either blocking off-tackle.
And Now for Something Completely Different
Rogers may have a compliment to his pocket style in the form of Vanderbilt transfer Mike Wright. He was team captain at Vandy and led the Commodores to wins over Kentucky and Florida last year. Needless to say, it’s probably the most interesting transfer of the season.
Yet, Rogers and the team are seeing it just as stated before, as a compliment not competition for the job.
In the Maroon and White Game, Wright came in and ran the ball around the edge burning defenders as he did.
It could be a variation of the wildcat, only run by a seasoned running quarterback instead of a running back. Oh, and Wright can throw too.
The Best of Times
Bulldog fans should have a sense of high expectations for Mississippi State’s 2023 offense. It’s a whole new offense with lots of cowbells and whistles. However, don’t expect Barbay to release all the Bulldogs against SE Louisiana that day. It will just be a taste of what’s to come.
Next, we will have an article looking at Mississippi State’s 2023 Defense. That also may be something different to see.
Photo courtesy: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
