Bad defensive teams don’t tend to do well in the win-loss column.
That was the case for Mississippi State in 2016, which ranked just 110th nationally in total defense and, as a result, finished just 6-7.
While the Bulldogs did find a way to get into a bowl game (which they won) because of its high APR, it was an overall underwhelming season in comparison to ones that it has on a consistent basis in recent years under coach Dan Mullen.
Mississippi State did seem to find its quarterback of the future in Nick Fitzgerald, who threw for over 2,400 and rushed for nearly 1,400 more on the ground.