After another convincing win on Saturday, Mississippi State continues to rise in the polls.
The Bulldogs were ranked #18 heading into the 2018 season; now at 3-0, they’ve risen to #14 in both the AP and coaches poll. The jump comes after a 56-10 win over Louisiana which saw the Bulldog offense surpass 600 yards, and the defense was stifling once again.
The Joe Moorhead era is off to a strong start in Starkville, and the ranking is the highest since MSU finished the 2014 season at #11 in AP poll and #12 in the coaches poll.
This marks the 11th straight week that MSU has been ranked dating back to late October during the 2017 season.
The Bulldogs have put up strong numbers on both sides of the ball so far this season. MSU ranks first in the NCAA with 30 plays that have gone for 20-yards or more, and they’re either 1st or 2nd in the SEC in 9 different defensive categories.
So far, Mississippi State has taken down Stephen F. Austin, Kansas State and Louisiana, but the competition will ramp up over the next few weeks as they begin SEC play.
They’ll open things up against Kentucky this weekend on the road before MSU welcomes Dan Mullen and the Florida Gators to Davis Wade Stadium. After Florida, they’ll take on Auburn (home) and LSU (road) in consecutive weeks.
After the Bulldogs’ win on Saturday, center Elgton Jenkins was tabbed as the SEC ‘Offensive Lineman of the Week’. Jenkins did not allow a single quarterback pressure in the win while also helping to spring QB Nick Fitzgerlad to 4 rushing TDs.
