A look ahead to next season

[Croomp]

<table id="sport-schedule" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" width="100%" border="0"> <tbody> <tr class="home"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Sep 05</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Jackson State
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Starkville</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="away"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Sep 12</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Auburn *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Auburn, AL</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="home"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Sep 19</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Georgia Tech
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Starkville</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="home"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Sep 26</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">LSU *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Starkville</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="away"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Oct 03</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Vanderbilt *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Nashville, TN</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"></td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="home"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Oct 10</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Houston
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Starkville</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="away"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Oct 17</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Middle Tennessee
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Murfreesboro, TN</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="home"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Oct 24</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Florida *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Starkville</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"></td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="away"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Oct 31</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Kentucky *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Lexington, KY</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="home"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Nov 14</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Alabama *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Starkville</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="away"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Nov 21</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Arkansas *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Fayetteville, AR</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="home"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Nov 28</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Ole Miss *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Starkville</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Must win games next season for the new coach are:
Jackson State
Houston
MTSU
Games that could go either way:
Auburn
Vandy
Arkansas
Ole Miss
Unless we have some huge break down in the offseason or a loss of a ton of players I don't see any reason our new coach shouldn't have atleast 4 wins next season. Our home schedule will be exciting if whoever we hire can keep our team competitive unlike what we have witnessed for the past 8 years.

 

[Croomp]

<table id="sport-schedule" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" width="100%" border="0"> <tbody> <tr class="home"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Sep 05</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Jackson State
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Starkville</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="away"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Sep 12</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Auburn *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Auburn, AL</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="home"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Sep 19</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Georgia Tech
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Starkville</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="home"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Sep 26</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">LSU *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Starkville</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="away"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Oct 03</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Vanderbilt *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Nashville, TN</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"></td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="home"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Oct 10</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Houston
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Starkville</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="away"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Oct 17</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Middle Tennessee
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Murfreesboro, TN</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="home"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Oct 24</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Florida *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Starkville</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"></td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="away"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Oct 31</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Kentucky *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Lexington, KY</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="home"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Nov 14</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Alabama *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Starkville</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="away"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Nov 21</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Arkansas *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Fayetteville, AR</span></td> <td class="" nowrap="nowrap"> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td class="" align="left"> </td> <td class="" style="PADDING-LEFT: 3px" align="left"></td> </tr> <tr class="home"> <td class="" scope="row" nowrap="nowrap"> <font class="sm">Sat, Nov 28</font></td> <td class="opponent-name ">Ole Miss *
</td> <td class="" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><span class="sm">Starkville</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Must win games next season for the new coach are:
Jackson State
Houston
MTSU
Games that could go either way:
Auburn
Vandy
Arkansas
Ole Miss
Unless we have some huge break down in the offseason or a loss of a ton of players I don't see any reason our new coach shouldn't have atleast 4 wins next season. Our home schedule will be exciting if whoever we hire can keep our team competitive unlike what we have witnessed for the past 8 years.

 

[weblow]

we are going to pay the new coach 2 million plus and are setting the bar at 4 wins? only at state. I wish i had a job with these expectations that would pay me 1/8th that.

 

[cowbellpresident]

Since we will have a new coach, I won't feel retarded for buying season tickets.

We really should be looking to schedule four easy non conference games a year - No more BCS out of conference games for a while. It is really just too easy to get to six wins when you can get 4 easy wins out of conference and only have to knock off two SEC teams.

We need to build a few years of going to bowl games, even if that means Papajohns.com bowl... after that we can start looking to move up the chain some, but our program really needs to have some consistent mediocrity -- wow wouldn't that be freaking great!

 

[SLUdog]

a sure loss. Aub, Ga Tech, LSU...it would be nice to win one of those. This schedule also indicates why it was ridiculous to keep Croom for another 3-9 campaign. I'm still mad about this year. What a waste.

 

[Indndawg]

Only UF and UAT look like certain losses

 

[vhdawg]

I still haven't gotten over the asswhipping that we got over there in 2003 (and nearly came back from), nor the return trip to Starkville. I know Briles left, but I haven't kept up with them.

 

[RonnyAtmosphere]

..GT is going to run up & down Scott Field with that option offense.

It would be a much more appealing schedule if GT could be replaced by a Jacksonville State type.

Anyway, I don't see 6 wins on that schedule.

Not unless some true freshmen turn out to be all-world studs.

 

[SLUdog]

is the only game close to a sure win.

At best I say 6-6...at worst 1-11.

 

[The Big Slick]

hahaku

 

[SLUdog]

and we'd have a shot at 6 wins. Unfortunately, it will be difficult to beat Houston. We will see how badly Croom recruited.

 

[Croomp]

I forgot about what they did to Tulsa that was very lopsided. I probably should have reconsidered Houston but honestly for any coach we hire all games against small conference teams should be considered must wins in my opinion. There are exceptions to that yes but for football and the SEC you must win against those teams to be anywhere competitive within the SEC.

 

[QuaoarsKing]

Jackson State - <span style="font-weight: bold;">definite win</span>
@Auburn - <span style="font-weight: bold;">probably lose</span>
Georgia Tech - <span style="font-weight: bold;">probably lose</span>
LSU - <span style="font-weight: bold;">probably lose</span>
@Vanderbilt - <span style="font-weight: bold;">probably win</span>
Houston - <span style="font-weight: bold;">tossup</span>
@MTSU - <span style="font-weight: bold;">probably win</span>
Florida - <span style="font-weight: bold;">probably lose</span>
@Kentucky - <span style="font-weight: bold;">tossup</span>
Alabama - <span style="font-weight: bold;">probably lose</span>
@Arkansas - <span style="font-weight: bold;">probably lose</span>
Ole Miss - <span style="font-weight: bold;">tossup

</span>Looking at anywhere from 3-9 to 6-6, maybe a little better if we can upset someone<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span>

 

[JRod.sixpack]

Ole Miss is a toss up? We just beat you 45-0. How is that not at least "probably lose?"

 

[MSUCostanza]

JSU - Win
Auburn - toss up
GA Tech - Loss
LSU - Loss
Vandy - Win
Houston - Win
MTSU - Win
Florida - Loss
UK - toss up
Alabama - Loss
Arkansas - Loss
Ole Miss - toss up

4-8 to 7-5. Possible wrinkles - lose to Houston or Vandy, beat LSU or GA Tech.

Most of this depends on who the new coach is.

 

[Croomp]

Ole Miss is a toss up? We just beat you 45-0. How is that not at least "probably lose?"

are you kidding me?

 

[3000lbchicken]

Nutt beat <span style="text-decoration:underline">Croom</span>. That's not exactly tackling Everest.

 

[Original48]

I think we have a better chance of beating LSU than we do Ole Miss. I just don't see our talent level anywhere close to Ole Miss.

 

[Wifesdawg]

Houston went 9-3 this year. I say Jack. State, MTSU and possibly Vandy and Kentucky. Ole Miss will have our number for the next 2 years. They are strong and have a lot coming back. Auburn will be a toss up. Folks, I spent most of the summer in Oxford working. I posted before the season that I had seen Snead throwing 7 on 7 and how impressed I was at his accuracy. Nutt and staff aren't going to let up on recruiting or preparation. I only hope we can get us a Houston Nutt. Jeez if you don't know what I'm saying just go back and watch the egg bowl again. Guys that was total and I mean total domination. Ole Miss is on a roll and Nutt is not letting up. We made fun of Orgeron but the guy left the cupboards full in Oxford. Now Nutt and staff are adding to it. We still have a long way to go so don't put your maroon glasses on yet. Ole Miss may be a toss up in 2 years but next year we will struggle again and most likely lose again until we get better talent and settle into a system. Just my opinion but I picked us to win 4 games this year and how many did we win?

 

[JRod.sixpack]

Nutt beat <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Croom</span>. That's not exactly tackling Everest.

Not trying to be a dick but having fewer total yards of offense than your opponent has points cannot be all on the coach. Croom obviously was horrible but to lose a game like that there has to be a significant talent gap. Right? Good luck with the search.

 

[3000lbchicken]

There may be a talent gap but not enough to guarantee a win next year for Ole Miss. Croom is that terrible.

We're speculating too, and we don't know who the new coach is yet.

 

[msdawg90]

As much as I hate it, I see UM rolling off three or four in a row. Gotta get playas.

 

[RebelBruiser]

There may be a talent gap but not enough to guarantee a win next year for Ole Miss. Croom is that terrible.

We're speculating too, and we don't know who the new coach is yet.

Maybe I am missing some additions you're making to your O-line, but our D-line will be at least as good next year, and unless your O-line makes a drastic off-season improvement, your offense will have just as much trouble next year. A coaching change can't make up for a lack of ability to compete physically with an opponent.

I'll be the first to admit that Croom was bad, but your problem next year is that you're still going to be lacking on both the O-line and D-line. That's part of the reason Nutt was able to win immediately. We had decent talent on both lines. It wasn't polished talent, but it was at least something to start with. I don't see that for MSU.

 

[War Machine Dawg]

Jackson State - Win
@ Auburn - Tossup
GA Tech - Loss
LSU - Loss
@ Vandy - Win
Houston - Tossup
@ MTSU (Thanks aGAIN, Larry!) - Win
Florida - Ouch
@ UK - Win
Bama - Loss
@ Arky - Tossup
OM - Loss

That's 4-5, with 3 tossups. I'll say anywhere from 4-8 to 7-5. Probably more like 4-8. I think we probably lose @ Arky (because we only beat them once a decade), beat Houston at home, lose @ Auburn. 5-7. Could also see us winning 2 tossups and dropping the ball aGAINST UK.

 

[War Machine Dawg]

without Peria Jerry? Pardon me while I compose myself. Jerry is a damn monster and the heart and soul of your interior DL. No way you lose him and improve up front.

 

[JRod.sixpack]

yeah I wouldn't say better on the dline. Still pretty damn good but not better minus Jerry.

 

[Todd4State]

Peria Jerry, so I don't think your line will be as good. And then Powe may or may not be able to stay in school. Still probably will be pretty good, but as good would be a nice feat. As far as offense, you're going to lose Oher and your center. Then you lose Mike Wallace and your FB. You return Snead, Neely, John Jerry, your TE, Shay Hodge, and McCluster along with your RB's.

Along with Jerry on defense, you also lose Ahley Palmer and Tony Fein. Then you lose JaMarca Sanford.

You also lose your punter.

I will say that Ole Miss should be pretty good next year, but it's way too soon to know how good of a chance State has next year. State will be playing in Starkville next year, which should be an advantage to us. You're right about the o-line, but I highly suspect from what Byrne told Russell that we are going to go to a pass-first spread offense next year. Being in the shotun should help our o-line a little bit. Also, IF we do indeed hire a spread coach, you better hope that your secondary gets better. That said, we need to desperately find some receivers and we're going to be hoping that some guys step up.

Knowing what we know right now and speculating 12 months ahead, it looks like it could be a shootout.

 

[RebelBruiser]

Maybe I shouldn't say better, but your 1st team O-line couldn't block our 2nd and 3rd team D-lines all game. Jerry is a beast, but we're returning everyone else on the D-line (assuming Hardy stays like he's been saying he will), and Peria's not the only guy on our D-line that has a future playing on Sundays.

And for Todd, you were in the shotgun a lot Friday and still couldn't give your QBs time. It's 12 months in advance, but I still think anyone saying it'll be a toss up at least at this point is stretching it. As of this point, a good number of your games look more winnable.

 

[Todd4State]

you should know that a new coach can make a lot of a difference.

 

[Rebheaded Stranger]

You are more full of a **** than a sack full of dirty diapers if you think our DL will be "at least as good next year".

</p>

 

[RebelBruiser]

you should know that a new coach can make a lot of a difference.

I agree with you, but it depends on the coach, what he's leaving, and the reasons why he was losing.

Edited to add: Alabama fired Shula and hired Saban, and they went from 6-6 and an Indy Bowl to 6-6 and an Indy Bowl, so making a significant coaching upgrade doesn't always bring an overnight change.

 

[Todd4State]

the only times we really got blown out were by you and Georgia Tech.

As bad as our coaches were, they still managed to win two games, which is two more than O won his last year. Plus, we were a kicker away from beating Auburn and Kentucky. A kicker who is gone by the way. We would have beaten Arkansas by 10 had our o-line not run on the field during a play. Then we beat La Tech pretty easily with a competent coach. A good coach would have tried to get us some points before the half against LSU, and then who knows what happens?

Ole Miss is good this year, and we probably lose no matter what, but there is no excuse for the way we played Fri. Ditto for Ga Tech. Also, a good coach has us better prepared for those two games. If a team does something unusual like the Wildcat or the flexbone, Croom's staff would have no clue how to stop it.

Now as far as what we have returning, I think the biggest thing is finding some o-linemen, and if I was the new coach I would go get three JUCO o-linemen and add it to what we have. That, and some WR's. But if we do indeed run a pass first spread, we will find some. I think a spread like that will help us possibly land Bumphis and Patterson. Dixon is a good RB as is Ducre, Stallworth, and maybe Elliott if he is healthy. I think we will be OK at QB between Carroll and Lee and Tyler Russell if needed.

I also think our defense will be fine. We return Kyle Love, LeMarcus Williams, along with Josh Jackson. We have 23 DE's. At LB we have KJ Wright, Karlin Brown (who I think might be switched to safety), and a hurt Jamar Chaney as worst case scenario. Hopefully Bo Walters will be back and we can hold onto Chris White. Zach Smith and Charles Mitchell will be fine at safety, and then we have Anthony Johnson coming back along with Marcus Washington.

Our ST's will be overhauled as well, and we will likely be better there.

We have some question marks, and some holes, but I think some of our deficiencies can possibly be patched and or masked.

 

[Croomp]

I don't see how you could expect us to say the ole miss game will probably be a loss right now. Even if there is no chance we beat ya'll next year I'm not going to openly admit or mark down Ole Miss as a loss except this year was an exception for good reason.

 

[The Lord Humongous]

We always predict ourselves better than we'll be and Ole Miss worse than they'll be. I somewhat agree but I'll say this. If UM doesn't have something fairly miraculous happen on the offensive line (and there are no JUCO saviors, only pretenders, in sight) their offense is going to have serious, serious problems. They had basically 6 linemen this year and lose 3 of them....4 if John Jerry decides to go pro. Other than that they really do look like they'll be in pretty good shape next year...but that one huge problem is a potential team killer.

 

[rebel law]

We always predict ourselves better than we'll be and Ole Miss worse than they'll be

One look at the preseason predictions archived here shows how true that statement is.

 

[RebelBruiser]

Given that analysis, you never know, but I'll also add that a lot depends on who you hire. If you hire someone that runs a system that isn't going to work with your personnel immediately, then it's a longer rebuilding.

And yes I agree that OL is probably going to be the biggest need to address. It's tough to run any offense without a decent O-line. We're in that same boat right now going into next year. We can survive at most positions, but OL is an immediate need.

 

[VanillaFace]

Nutt beat <span style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Croom</span>. That's not exactly tackling Everest.

Neither was the lesson our DL gave your OL and QBs.

I don't give a **** who you hire, its going to take more than a coach to make you better at QB and OL. Right now you have massive problems at both. Not only did you have it in the Ole Miss game, but you had protection problems for the entire year (3rd most sacks allowed).

I have no doubt that a new coach will improve State immediately.

I don't disagree that with the right hire you could go bowling next year.

But I don't see the Ole Miss game as a toss-up, no matter who you hire (from your list). You just got crushed by a team that is going to a NYD bowl and has alot of starters returning, most importantly being the QB that finished 3rd in passing yardage and efficiency.

 

[VinceVega70]

You guys will lose a great deal of your line talent to the League before we play you again. And that's where you beat our ***, line play. And of course coaching, but hopefully we will bring a more worthy opponent to the game this year. And last, it's at Scott Field. All those factors would lead me to think this game will be very close next year (I hope).

 

[VanillaFace]

First, our DL is going to miss Peria. The dude is a beast and has become the most unblockable DL in the SEC this year (once he got healthy). He disposes of OL like they're nothing. Hardy is a freak but Peria is simply dominant, run or pass. Hardy has work to do against the run.

If Hardy stays, no doubt that helps, but in all honesty, our DL was still the best in the SEC without him. Lockett will be a SR and was very, very good this year (34 tkls, 10.5 TFL, 2 sacks). Tillman, Laurent (7 TFL), Scott, and Powe will be back and likely better than the year before.

We'll lose Fein (big loss because I think he's better than Cornell), Palmer (we'll miss him because he and Trahan made a good 1-2 punch at OLB), Sanford (meh...good against the run but lacking in coverage...the coaches think JBrown will be better), and Mouzon (I think he's the 2nd best corner we have) in our back seven. I don't think there's much doubt that we won't be better next year on defense, but I'm curious to see how the lesser experienced players (Herman, Green, Brown, Powe, Trahan, etc.) will progress in the offseason. Its possible that we could be a little "worse" on the DL, but better in the secondary. We'll see, I guess.

On offense, we don't know what to expect. Oher will be missed but I don't think we'll be terrible there. Cook has missed a couple games with injury and his backup (Hartman) is pretty damn good. We don't lose our center, he's a sophomore. Wallace will likely be replaced by Breaux, who actually beat Wallace several times in track in HS (Wallace a SR, Breaux a 10th grader). I think as a unit our WR will be better despite losing Wallace due to Hodge, McCluster, Breaux, and Summers getting better. Also have a 6'7" WR who has been getting alot of praise from Nutt coming off his RS. You may think its a little premature, but Harris (TE) won't be the starter next year by the time we get to the State game. One of our two freshmen (RS this year) will have taken over the spot.

I think, overall, the offense will be better due to the skill guys getting better, even though we lose Oher and Miller (being replaced by a highly recruited Rishaw Johnson). Defense will likely, in my opinion, drop off some but not a drastic change (unless we lose a coach).

 

[CooterBrown.sixpack]

Just for shiites and giggles, we play a 10 man rotation on our D line, and 9 of them are coming back. No, you don't replace a Jerry, but I think that we will still be pretty strong there.

Also for the record, I didn't see the game coming either. I thought the line was a joke. Shows how much I know sometimes.

Good luck with y'all's search.