Good morning! Bulldog football is nearly back, and with it means the return of the player hype videos. State football is killing it with the promos thus far, so give them a view to start this morning off right.

What else did we throw into the Brew today?

👍 Successful Media Days
🥎 Dynamic Duo
🐶 And much, much more!

🎥 HAIL STATE PLUS

Throwing It Back. In this episode of Coaches Confidential, get an inside look at what a typical Bulldog volleyball practice session looks like through the eyes of head coach Julie Darty Dennis.

🎥  Coaches Confidential: Julie Darty Dennis

With HailState+ you get to watch wherever you want to watch. Web, mobile, and (later this year) all major OTT streaming apps like AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, Roku, and Android. We got it all.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Words From the Head Dawg. After experiencing his first SEC Media Days as State football’s head coach, Zach Arnett shared his thoughts and opinions on the program, where it currently stands, and why he thinks this coaching staff is going to be special.

🗣️ “When you have really good players and they’re executing and playing at a high level with the right intensity level and effort, that’s what makes you a pretty good coach. It has very little to do with scheme.”

After being asked about State’s newest offensive coordinator, Kevin Barbay, he had this to say about why he ultimately decided to bring him in.

🗣️ “ It was really refreshing to hear Kevin say he couldn’t give me that answer (in reference to offensive identity) until he knew who the best 11 players are.”

Coach Arnett’s goal is to continue to produce talented players and reward what he called the ‘most loyal fans in all of college football’.

Read more from the head honcho’s first time at SEC Media Days.

🔼 Dynamic Duo. OKC Spark teammates and former Bulldogs Fa Leilua and Chloe Malau’ulu have put on strong performances this past week to elevate their team into first place in Women’s Pro Fastpitch.

💥 Leilua hits dingers. She ended the week with the league lead in home runs, RBIs, OPS and walks.

🧤 Malau’ulu started three games and came away with two critical RBIs and one incredible home run saving catch at the warning track.

🔼 Opponent Preview. Today, we’ll be previewing an opponent that provided the Bulldogs with one of the more thrilling games from last season: the Auburn Tigers!

Quick Hits

• Finished sixth in the SEC - West division at 5-7.

• Notable wins: vs. Missouri at home; vs. Texas A&M at home

• First year Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze is at the helm for the Tigers and brought in new coordinators on both offense and defense

• This team is transfer heavy; a new quarterback, three new offensive lineman, two new wideouts and three defensive linemen will likely come in to start and will have the offseason to learn an entirely new scheme.

Auburn Players To Watch

🏈 RB Jarquez Hunter: last year’s third in line gets the promotion with Tank Bigsby heading off to the NFL. He now leads a deep running back room after last season’s 675 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns.

🏈 DB Kayin Lee: the new kid on the block was Auburn’s biggest recruit of last year’s class. The No. 16 cornerback in the nation will be an immediate starter looking to make a big impact.

🏈 TE Rivaldo Fairweather: the tight end transfer racked up 54 receptions and 838 yards during his time at FIU. Coach Freeze has a history of developing tight ends, and this could be his next guy due for an upgrade.

🏈 QB Payton Thorne: the Michigan State transfer will likely be the Tigers’ starter at the beginning of the season. In Big 10 play last season, the pocket-passer put up 2,679 passing yards with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

What Happened Last Year?

Under the lights in Starkville, the Bulldogs jumped out to an early 24-6 lead going in to half. After storming out to a lead late in the fourth quarter, the Dawgs drove down the field and kicked a game-tying field goal to send the game into overtime.

After stopping the Auburn offense once, running back Jo’quavious Marks punched his way into the end zone to win 39-33 and make State bowl eligible.

🤔 BULLDOG TRIVIA

New Face of the Offense. The offense this year will have a new coach running the show with the addition of Kevin Barbay. Coach Arnett has all the faith in the world that he can help this offense gets to where it needs to be, and for good reason.

Our question today — do you know where Coach Barbay was before he arrived in Starkville?

Think you know the answer? Scroll on down to the bottom to find out.

📬 STICK WITH US

Did someone send you the Bulldog Brew? Well, the first thing you should do is thank them. The next thing you should do is subscribe here and get it in your inbox every weekday morning just in time for your first cup of coffee!

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Appalachian State!

In 2021, he helped produce the leading rusher in the country who had 1,848 yards. Then last season, he dialed up 21 plays that went 40+ yards, good for eighth-most in the nation. Coach Barbay can do it all, and we can’t wait to see what he comes up with for this MSU offense.

Have a great Thursday, y'all.