The numbers for Mississippi State’s 2025 defense weren’t pretty. The Bulldogs allowed 38.9 points and 7.1 yards per play in SEC play and struggled mightily against the run. With a hefty haul of transfers coming to Starkville to reinforce the defense, how much progress will this unit make in ‘25?

The 2025 college football season is fast approaching, and with less than three weeks until kickoff, anticipation is rising. Monday's release of the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll provides the first official glimpse at how the projected top programs stack up entering another pivotal campaign.

Nine SEC teams are ranked in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll. Think the playoff committee will care about that? They didn't last year.