<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3q6pAa_0vy2kAnJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3q6pAa_0vy2kAnJ00" width="1146" height="600" >So was the open date better for Bulldog bodies, or minds? How 'bout…both. This is Jeff Lebby's top takeaway from taking a mid-season breather."We needed it from a health standpoint," Mississippi State's head coach said. "But (also) just of refocus and recalibrate and get the guys a little break that was needed."Needed is putting the State situation mildly. After four consecutive losses, the last two against conference clubs; an unexpected change to the key offensive piece; a series of injuries and interruptions to the defensive roster; oh, and continuing schedule stretch of ranked opponents?Need, indeed. So by most all measures the first of two open dates came at the right time. Now.<a href="https://247sports.com/college/mississippi-state/article/mississippi-state-football-position-group-report-card-237578900/">Did the Bulldogs make best use of their break?</a> The next game will tell the tale better, albeit taking on #5-ranked <a href="https://247sports.com/college/georgia/">Georgia</a> on the other Dogs' turf may not make for a fair test. But there's nothing fair about SEC football so the Maroon Dogs need get ready for another top-five foe road trip.At least to Lebby's eyes, this Monday morning had some encouraging signs. How grateful? Besides an energetic squad reporting to practice, he saw…gratitude? Or in his words, the Dogs are <a href="https://247sports.com/college/mississippi-state/article/mississippi-state-football-jeff-lebby-237613956/">"Thankful for the opportunity and grateful for what we have ahead of us."</a>That's interesting talk considering that after Georgia comes <a href="https://247sports.com/college/mississippi-state/article/mississippi-state-football-vs-texas-am-237592048/">a home game with now-#15 Texas A&amp;M which happens for the moment to be overall league leader at 3-0 SEC.</a> Then it is a visit from an <a href="https://247sports.com/college/arkansas/">Arkansas</a> club just off upsetting now-#8 <a href="https://247sports.com/college/tennessee/">Tennessee</a> and getting some poll votes of their own. And of course State went into the break after losing at again-#1 Texas.And yet Lebby is serious. His team seems ready and willing to play whoever each weekend lines up for them. Starting with Georgia. "We have a challenge, but our guys are excited about it."Such excitement can be taken as an affirmation the Bulldogs are buying what their first-year coach is selling. Even a string of awkward and at times ugly losses hasn't killed MSU mindsets, apparently. Those at or watching from distance the <a href="https://247sports.com/college/texas/">Texas</a> game did see a squad giving what it had for four full quarters emotionally though the bodies were wearing down in the third period.So excitement and energy are essential. Competing with Georgia requires more, and Lebby used last week's two practices to that end. 'Cleaning up' he called it on both sides of the lineup, the special teams too, and everything that happens between the white lines. Then, their break."I thought it was important for our guys to get away, reset, refocus, regroup and get ready for the back half of the season. Our guys came back with great energy, they've had great energy, really good intent. And we need to have a great week to play the way we need to play."Lebby and the offensive staff are in a re-tool mode of sorts now that Michael Van Buren is in charge. Promoted to starting status by injury, the true freshman played with impressive poise at Texas and managed to make some things happen. Not enough to win, but enough to build upon going deeper into the season."He has another setting like that this weekend that will be a challenge for a true freshman quarterback to play the way we need him to play to give us a chance to win the game," Lebby said. "But he is focused on just that."We'll continue to promote that and everybody inside the locker room has confidence in Mike to get done what we need to get done." State is also gaining confidence in the ground game after two improved performances, each against SEC defenses.Being able to rush the football gives the blocking a fighting chance to protect Van Buren on pass plays, and let the wideouts who are State's best threats use their own talents. "The best units I've ever had, had balance," Lebby said. "That is who we want to be."Lebby also wants to be a tempo team on offense; then to take opposing offenses out of their own tempo. The Bulldog defense has been overmatched too much this season so far but has been showing a bit more fight in recent losses. State also has to balance aggression on offense with not wanting to run the defense back on-field after just three snaps and a punt. Even if, this season, punting is one of the bright spots with Nick Barr-Mira's footwork."That's us understanding what we're getting," Lebby said. "For me and our staff, it's what gives us the best chance to win the game. The ego part, you have to set it aside, know who we want to be, but what gives our football team the best chance to have success is what matters."Bulldog players will speak with media following Tuesday's practice. Wednesday evening brings the first SEC availability report.</div></body>

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Lebby: Bulldogs are 'grateful for what we have ahead of us'

So was the open date better for Bulldog bodies, or minds? How 'bout…both. This is Jeff Lebby's top takeaway from taking a mid-season breather. \"We needed it from a health standpoint,\" Mississippi State's head coach said. \"But (also) just of refocus and recalibrate and get the guys a little break that was needed.\"

So was the open date better for Bulldog bodies, or minds? How 'bout…both. This is Jeff Lebby's top takeaway from taking a mid-season breather. "We needed it from a health standpoint," Mississippi State's head coach said. "But (also) just of refocus and recalibrate and get the guys a little break that was needed."

Lebby: Bulldogs are 'grateful for what we have ahead of us'

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