Starkville is buzzing with a mix of optimism and apprehension as Mississippi State braces for the 2025 season. The release of ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) rankings throws some light on the hurdles ahead, but also the untapped potential within the Bulldogs’ ranks.
Coach Jeff Lebby, now in his second year, is diligently working to establish a new identity for the team. It’s a tough gig in the fiercely competitive SEC, but the Bulldogs are making noticeable strides, securing the 52nd spot nationally in the latest FPI rankings—a considerable leap from their previous standing.
At the heart of this upward trend is Lebby’s strategic pivot toward an offensive overhaul and a proactive approach in the transfer portal. The Bulldogs’ recruitment efforts for 2025 haven’t gone unnoticed either, coming in at 26th nationally, up three spots from just a year prior. This leap underscores Lebby’s dedication to bolstering quality and creating depth in the roster.
The team’s immediate prospects received a major lift with the return of quarterback Blake Shapen. His decision to come back after a season lost to a shoulder injury adds a layer of palpable stability. Former Mississippi State quarterback Jackie Sherrill points out, “Blake’s return is huge. His know-how and experience in Lebby’s system can’t be overstated.”
Yet, the schedule ahead is anything but a walk in the park. Stringing together wins against heavyweights like Tennessee, Texas, and Georgia—who regularly make the upper echelons of the FPI—will be a real test of mettle. And then there’s the Egg Bowl, with Ole Miss perched at 13th in the FPI, poised to be another exhilarating clash.
Lebby’s offensive game plan, tried and tested in his past stints, is gradually taking shape here at Starkville. “We’re seeing improvement every day,” Lebby shared during spring drills, nodding to the progress made by wide receiver Gracen Harris and running back Kolin Wilson. Vital transfers have also entered the fray, with nine new faces coming aboard in the bustling spring window alone, each filling crucial gaps while also helping lay the foundation for future success.
SEC Network insider Cole Cubelic weighs in on the Bulldogs’ bold strategy: “Lebby’s essentially revamping the whole program, and he’s doing it in college football’s roughest neighborhood. The FPI might not tell the whole story yet, but there’s some solid groundwork being set here.”
On the defensive end, while still finding its footing, critical transfers have upped the ante in terms of depth. Changes in the coaching staff, including new defensive mentors, signal a renewed vigor to lift both offensive and defensive plays.
Across the broader SEC tableau, Mississippi State’s standing is a testament to the depth of talent in the conference. With an anticipated 4.5 SEC teams making the playoffs, the stakes—and opportunities—are sky-high in what’s arguably the nation’s most elite conference.
Former coach Jackie Sherrill sums it up neatly, “Jeff’s got things moving in the right direction. The SEC West isn’t kind, but the only way forward is not to stand still. And moving forward is exactly what this program is doing.”
For Mississippi State, the 2025 season stands as a pivotal chapter in Lebby’s coaching saga. The SEC is expanding, playoff formats are shifting, and despite the daunting tasks at hand, there is a real window for growth. These Bulldogs are on a journey, and the road may be arduous, but there’s a promising horizon to aim for.
