A couple of observations....

[DowntownDawg]

...#1) Probably the thing that gives me the giggles the most is the fact that old college football adages seem to sneak up on the rebels. I guess as State fans, even when we are optimistic, we are cautiously optimistic. Had we inherited that team, we would've been worried sick about the left tackle position. All I heard all offseason was how Massie was going to step right in and they wouldn't miss a beat. Massie is nowhere to be found and Sowell look like 2008 Sauslberry. Hey rebels, you don't replace an All SEC left tackle with junk or inexperience. The last time we heard this song, it was that they wouldn't miss a beat without Eli.

#2) That didn't look like a slip up. They have real problems. They have no passing game because they can't protect, Snead is wild, and they have one SEC receiver. They have a solid defensive line, but their secondary is average. South Carolina tried to give them the game numerous times. At the very least, the score should've been 17-3 at halftime. It would've been 10 if Sylvester Croom had not come in and taken over clock management responsibilities there at the end of the half.

#3) Of all things, they were bitten by their schedule. They were obviously not ready for SEC football after being lulled to sleep by Memphis, an open date, and SELA.

 

[dawgfan77]

You make some great points.

An OM poster on here stated that MSU couldn't stay on the field with the Rebs this year, they were just that talented. After watching the game last night, there is not a whole lot of difference in MSU and OM. We don't have a QB, but I do think our OL is better than OM. Its only one game, but if OM doesn't get better on the OL its going to be a long year for them. It would not surprise me to see them have a hang over next week at Vandy and get beat. Right now I see them going 3-5 in SEC.

 

[coach66]

in the SEC. South Carolina is no slouch but their O-Line may be the weakest part of their team and they were gashing UM in the first half. Your observations are correct and UM still probably wins 8 games due to their schedule but their defense is not what it was and as you pointed out the offense is pretty much one guy and we know who that is, they miss Mike Wallace more than they know, he could spread out a defense with his speed which opened up alot of things for them last year. Shay Hodge does not have that dimension.

 

[coursesuper]

that stoped SC then. With a reg front it was not so great.

 

[jcdawgman18]

they miss Mike Wallace more than they know, he could spread out a defense with his speed which opened up alot of things for them last year. Shay Hodge does not have that dimension.

 

[Agentdog]

After watching the game last night, there is not a whole lot of difference in MSU and OM.

I hate OM with a passion. However, we have no where near the size and speed they have. They are just flat out more talented than we are right now. Maybe......MAYBE our receiving corps has a little more talent. However, I thought they looked more talented than USC last night. They just did not make the plays and I think OM got away from their strength to early.......the run.

With that said, I never thought they were the #4 team in the nation. However, they do look like a legitimate top 20 team. They will win some games this year. I still see 8-9 wins in their future. Will one of those wins include the Egg Bowl? It is a long ways to Thanksgiving Weekend. So, alot can change. However, based on what I saw last night, we are going to have to get much better on defense and protect better on offense to beat them.

 

[whatever.sixpack]

We don't have more talent in the receiving corps, Hodge is good, Patterson will be unreal, and if they use McCluster out there they'll be strong. Our OL is close to theirs though this year, unlike last year. Our OL has improved greatly though.
They're still a ton more talented and deep than us on D and at QB though, they'll have a breakout game on offense, possibly against Vandy

 

[Brahmabull]

They used multiple running backs up until the stuck w/ McCluster (and that is not a long-term solution b/c he won't last) and none of the so called big backs ran very well north and south. Their running backs were also atrocious in pass blocking. You know that your left tackle needs help pass blocking so you have the back help him out. Only problem is every time the back went to help, he help from the wrong side the rusher was coming from. If the D-end slanted in side on Sowell, the running back went to the outside of Sowell to help. Most of the time the back just watched the defensive end whip that *** and put pressure on Sneed.

Finally, Sneed sure looks average when he has a little pressure on him.

 

[buddawg]

Snead looked the same as he did last year. The only time he looked good was against the three worst pass defenses in the SEC. (Arkansas, LSU,& MSU) Then Texas Tech in the Cotton. Look at his stats from last year.

Spurrier made a fool out of Nix in the first half. Mississippi started their usual blitzing every play, and he just dumped it over the line on screen plays and gashed their defense. After Mississippi had to quit blitzing the Ole Ball Coach was able to run it effectively. ( Too bad Mccorvey couldn't figure it out the whole damn game.)

 

[ckDOG]

They have no passing game because they can't protect

Last night was the perfect example of how critical the offensive line is. Last year behind a phenomenal line, Snead looked Heisman-worthy. Last night, behind shoddy pass protection at best, Snead looked Henig-worthy. We all know Snead is more than capable, but it all starts at the line.

I hoped every year we'd make strides under Croom in recruiting quality offense lineman. Never happened. I hope the new staff succeeds in being able to attract top O-line talent. Otherwise, any upgrades at our skill positions are simply going to go to waste and we'll continue to be anemic on offense - better scheme or not.