B&B Show

[BertleTheTurtle]

During the interview with Ross Dellenger, I found it interesting that Rashard Lawrence is apparently a full go at practice, yet Coach O is publicly telling everyone that he is out on Saturday. Anyone feel like he is pulling a bait and switch on us here? I wouldn't be shocked at all if Lawrence plays and plays a lot, but I'd feel a lot better about being able to run between the tackles with him in street clothes.

 

[ShrubDog]

Lawrence is definitely hurt. We just don't know how bad. He was limited in practice this week with a taped ankle.

Another player who has been hurt is Williams, their 2nd string RB. This could be a good thing.

 

[missouridawg]

I never heard Ross state that he was a full participator in practice Rice but he was fully dressed in pads without a medical shirt. Certainly sounds like O may be returning serve on our Malik Dear speculation.

The show was good today. Brian is right that this game is has perception changing abilities but it won't just be this one game, as Bob alluded.

Also, this is the most important game for Mullen since OM 2014. That year, LSU, aTm, Auburn, Bama, and OM were all Mullens most important games of his career. 2015 and 2016 didn't present those kinds of opportunities.

Good show today.

 

[RiverCityDawg]

Also, this is the most important game for Mullen since OM 2014. That year, LSU, aTm, Auburn, Bama, and OM were all Mullens most important games of his career. 2015 and 2016 didn't present those kinds of opportunities.

Good show today.

Agree. It's hard to pin one game as "most important" because you have to win games to make the following games matter. With that said I think the 2014 Bama game has been the most important since had we won we would have won the West and in all likelyhood been SEC Champions and playing in the playoff, regardless of the Egg Bowl.

As for the LSU game, no doubt it's big, but it won't change the perception dramatically if at all if we then turn around and lose the next two or drop 2 in November and/or "only" finish 8-4.

I agree with Bob that the Alabama game is the only single game that would most certainly change the perception if we win. Ultimately we need to be 9-3 or better and be in contention for the West until the end of we want to change perception. That probably requires winning 2 of the next 3, so just the LSU game isn't good enough for that.

 

[BertleTheTurtle]

Yeah I tend to agree. If we win this game, it isn't a total perception changer. It may peak people's interest in State, similar to 2014, but if we don't follow that up with wins at UGA and Aub then perception will not have changed. I could argue that this 3 game stretch is a perception changer for State. But it does all start Saturday night. It haven't been this fired up for a football game since our run in 2014.

 

[Wizard.sixpack]

I doubt that...Malik Dear wasnt exactly a game-changer before he was hurt.

 

[MSUDawgFan86]

I doubt that...Malik Dear wasnt exactly a game-changer before he was hurt.

He's one of the only players besides Fitzgerald on offense that can score on any play. Mixon is another one. You act like he's Shumpert or Holloway.

 

[MSUDawgFan86]

I disagree with Bob on today's show. He's back living in a homer fantasy land. He disagreed with Brian about this game Changing the perception of the program and that after 2014 the perception hadn't changed. We brought back Dak Prescott and many other starters in 2015 and they projected us to finish dead last and 13/14 in the SEC. Really? The perception changed after 2014 but they still picked us dead last? Ok sure Bob

 

[MSUDC11]

I fall somewhere in the middle with this argument. No, 2014 didn't do much to change the perception of our program, but I also don't think it changes overnight if we beat LSU. We could still go 6-6 or 7-5 with a win on Saturday.

I think you have to win at least one of these next three games (particularly the one Saturday) and then go 8-4 or better.

 

[MSUDawgFan86]

I fall somewhere in the middle with this argument. No, 2014 didn't do much to change the perception of our program, but I also don't think it changes overnight if we beat LSU. We could still go 6-6 or 7-5 with a win on Saturday.

I think you have to win at least one of these next three games (particularly the one Saturday) and then go 8-4 or better.

I agree with you that we can't **** the bed and we have to win 8 or more. Brian also said that the he believed the perception would change and that assumed we went 8-4 or better. I believe last year's debacle undid a lot of good will and positivity about the program that had been accomplished in a lot of critics eyes. I find it curious the program is still disrespected and Picked to finish last yet they think Fitz is a top 3 QB in the SEC and Mullen is #2 coach in the SEC. You can't have it both ways guys.

 

[MSUDC11]

To be fair, we weren't picked last this year. Our neighbors to the north were. But I thought we should've at least been 5th. This train wreck at A&M was plain as day to see coming.

 

[bulldognation]

Fitz may be a top returning QB in the SEC, but it's not just about him. Aeris showed promise, but was still largely unproven until the latter part of the year. The receivers were (and to some degree still are) a big question mark. And we didn't exactly blow out Miami, OH in St. Pete either. Plus, nobody knew if T. Grantham was going to bring the defense back or not. So don't gripe about us being picked low in the SECW.

The next 3 opponents are top 15 teams. Post a 2-1 or better yet 3-0 at the end of that stretch, take care of business down the road and finish with a solid 8 or 9 win season. That coupled with the number of players returning next year will certainly avoid being picked near the bottom again in 2018.