Mississippi State and Florida both are desperate for a SEC win as 11:00am kickoff comes Saturday. The host Bulldogs can't afford another slow start but intend to set a tone and get into tempo after kickoff. Who is feeling more pressure is a fair question, but with a win State can at least go into their next two games with some positive sense. Bulldog basketball begins practicing next week and the schedule is nearly finalized for Chris Jans' third team. A record donation to Bulldog sports combined with some mid-week recruiting results are good news off the field. And, the 1974 Bulldogs, quite likely the transitional team of modern MSU history, is to be honored this weekend.

SEC season opens at Mississippi State and at last this weekend. Florida comes to campus for a 11:00am kickoff and with temperatures spiking for their program. But Coach Jeff Lebby's own focus is '100%' on fixing Bulldog issues exposed in consecutive non-league losses.

A whipping by Toledo reveals the dimensions of Jeff Lebby's first-year challenges at Mississippi State. And now comes SEC season as the Bulldogs host also-struggling Florida.

This Tuesday evening edition takes a look at Bulldog attitudes as they transition from a first loss to a second home game. Mississippi State hosts Toledo this Saturday evening with a clear forecast after mid-week weather moves through. Coach Jeff Lebby is looking for answers in the running game and the right combination of blockers. Most of all he wants an offense to convert third downs and keep scoring drives moving. The defense will likely still be down two linemen so younger big pups will get worked into action. Toledo has two wins over lightweights but is a veteran team with a long-time coach who will have the Rockets ready for a road trip South.

Jeff Lebby wants his team to learn one instant fact from a loss: that their coaches are the same in attitude and approach as after win. The Bulldogs lost at Arizona State after digging themselves in early and deep. A second half comeback flashed what the offense is capable of. But a reliable ground game is still needed. So is stopping the run game on defense and the loss featured by coach count 25 missed tackles and 250 yards after contact. Mississippi State's guest Toledo is a proud old program which will not be intimidated coming to a SEC campus. Weather is coming to Starkville mid-week but game day looks fine.

Jeff Lebby's attention to Bulldog detail means Mississippi State arrives in the Arizona desert this evening. Lebby's first road game as head coach is with Arizona State, and an evening kickoff in still-sizzling conditions. The Bulldogs have a day to acclimate and to go over all the scouting available on a Sun Devil squad that also has dipped deeply into the transfer portal. Speaking of transfers, receiver and punt return man Kevin Coleman made a flying start to his Bulldog career last Saturday and talks about it here.

His first win as head coach done, Jeff Lebby turns Bulldog attention to fixing flaws from the easy victory and preparing to step up in competition. Mississippi State is at Arizona State for the second week of the season. Lebby updates the short injury list. The Sun Devils made their own impressive start beating a sound Wyoming squad. State has to prepare physically for the trip to the desert. So the Bulldogs will leave Thursday and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate from now to kickoff.