Do you view the USM game like the JSU game last year?...
- Thread starter dawgstudent
- Start date
I think
their talent level is probably a little higher than JSU's, so if we struggle (only win by 10-14) it won't be the end of the world. Of course, you will have the 20-30 posters clamoring to fire Mullen or Collins with anything less than a 40 point blowout.
Having said that, I fully expect a Rice style beatdown.
their talent level is probably a little higher than JSU's, so if we struggle (only win by 10-14) it won't be the end of the world. Of course, you will have the 20-30 posters clamoring to fire Mullen or Collins with anything less than a 40 point blowout.
Having said that, I fully expect a Rice style beatdown.
I don't and it's not even close, I am old enough to remember the 80's, 90's games with them and perhaps I am relating to the past but I am concerned. That said, and I am no USM hater, I think their level of talent is marginal at best, I do believe Monken is a pretty good Coach but he inherited no talent at all. Fedora rode a wave of talent out of town then Ellis Johnson screwed them to an incredible depth.
I think they're going to move the ball this year. 42-17 type game. They'll score on one of their first possessions and add a late TD in the 4th.
We return primarily the same team that took their conference champion to the woodshed in the Liberty bowl. I understand that they have probably improved from last year riding that 1 game winning streak they are on, but I know we have as well. This game will be different from JSU though. USM will bring as many fans as possible and turn this game into their whole season. Too bad it won't end well for them.
Y'all are their Super Bowl this year. They have no chance to win, but the first quarter, maybe even the entire first half, they're going to be throwing haymakers. But the only way they score TD's on y'all's defense is with trick plays, which I assume there will be a couple.
No kidding, I remember the games in Jackson as a kid and watching us get our asses handed to us.
Now, I do believe we'll win, but I have learned never to take a game for granted when you're a State fan.
Now, I do believe we'll win, but I have learned never to take a game for granted when you're a State fan.
You could be right, but Southern gave up 50+ pts five times last year, including twice where the other team scored 60. This with a CUSA schedule.
Rice was the CUSA champion and we could have easily put up 60 on them had we played starters the whole game. I know it was only one game, but we have essentially the same team coming back except with more experience and a known identity (something we lacked most of last year).
With our defense we'll have a lot of possessions. If we have, say, 12 possesions and only score 5 TDs, I'll be surprised and would guess Mullen would not be happy.
Based on our defensive depth I think 10 pts given up is about worse case scenario barring a special teams or defensive score.
With all that said, yes, I am thinking of it sort of like the JSU game. I won't be pushing any panic buttons if its 31-14, but if I'm being honest, I won't be happy unless its a Rice-like beat down.
I understand
those concerns, but the MSU of today is miles ahead of the MSU of the 80s...and it's not even close.
those concerns, but the MSU of today is miles ahead of the MSU of the 80s...and it's not even close.
I guess I'm just trying to keep my expectations down. I really can't argue with anything you say, except to say that I do think USM will be a little better this year than the last 2 years, probably something like 4-8. You're right that this could easily be a beatdown.
MSU will be ready to play. It's the opener in the new stadium. If they aren't, something is wrong.
The game we need to be concerned about is South Alabama. We'll be bringing our C game at best. Let's hope talent and depth can take us all the way.
I don't know. First road game I think we'll be ready. We'll have about as many fans there as they will. Oddly enough, I might be more worrie about showing up with our C game if it was at home. Our fans would vanish at halftime and it could be a Bowling Green situation. I could see Bridge leading them to a couple TDs, but The size/athleticism difference is too big and I don't see it being that close. To your point though, I think the Kentucky game could be closer than some expect if we don't come in focused.
Nope ...
Will never consider JSU = USM.
Still vividly recall the 1980 game with USM and this team needs to go back and look at the tapes. We had a great team and started 3-0; went to Florida and lost by 6 in the swamp; beat Illinois @ Ill and came home for HC to face Southern Miss.
We got run off our own field 42 - 14 and the game was never in doubt.
We went on to beat Miami @ Miami ... Auburn, #1 ranked Bama, LSU and OM in Jackson.
Great moments that year BUT that game still haunts.
Will never consider JSU = USM.
Still vividly recall the 1980 game with USM and this team needs to go back and look at the tapes. We had a great team and started 3-0; went to Florida and lost by 6 in the swamp; beat Illinois @ Ill and came home for HC to face Southern Miss.
We got run off our own field 42 - 14 and the game was never in doubt.
We went on to beat Miami @ Miami ... Auburn, #1 ranked Bama, LSU and OM in Jackson.
Great moments that year BUT that game still haunts.
Yeah, we make a big deal about winning the Egg Bowl 3 years in a row, but these guys beat us 7 years in a row back in the late 70s and 80s. We really need to beat their *** these next two years and knock a final nail in their coffin.
USM is a much better coached team than Jackson St. They will play over their capacity when they face us. However, if they score more than 17 points against us, I'll lose my wool. I'll feel like we could be in for some disappointing games if that happens. If our defense is as good as advertised, we should shut them down and strive to for 4 quarters.
State is our Super Bowl?
I can't think of a game our fanbase has dreaded more than this one.
If this were four years ago, our fanbase would be jacked. This year....I'm trying to find a reason to get out of the state that weekend through Tuesday.
I can't think of a game our fanbase has dreaded more than this one.
If this were four years ago, our fanbase would be jacked. This year....I'm trying to find a reason to get out of the state that weekend through Tuesday.
Right.
Our talent level last year....my God. It was just sad. I think much of that has to do with a year of a pathetic S&C program under Ellis.
The fact is that we were HISTORICALLY bad last year. We were one half away from potentially being the worst D1 team in history.
Our talent level last year....my God. It was just sad. I think much of that has to do with a year of a pathetic S&C program under Ellis.
The fact is that we were HISTORICALLY bad last year. We were one half away from potentially being the worst D1 team in history.
Yeah, I was there and remember it well. We couldn't stop Reggie Collier or Sammy Winder. They beat the heck out of us.
A great deal has
changed since 1980.
The year before, USM was 6-4-1. We were 3-8.
That season USM and MSU both finished 9-3.
Today, things aren't even in the same universe between both programs.
changed since 1980.
The year before, USM was 6-4-1. We were 3-8.
That season USM and MSU both finished 9-3.
Today, things aren't even in the same universe between both programs.
The Kentucky Game concerns me greatly...location....time of season....primed for them to finally beat us. They probably still pencil MSU as one of their easiest SEC opponents.
I agree. I think Kentucky could be more improved than people expect, and if that's the case, we'll need to be playing lights out for 4 quarters. Arkansas is my other concern.