Is it too early to talk about next years schedule?

[TheStateUofMS]

@MEM, @BARN, LSU, LATECH, @UGA, @UAB, SCAR, @UK, TENN-MARTIN, BAMA, @ARK, MISS

Man I don't like that home schedule. It's way too scattered around.Realistically, I see Memphis, La Tech,UAB,UK,TN-Martin and Ole Miss as should be wins. It doesn't get any easier next year. We're going to have to be greatly improved to have a shot at being better than 8-4 this time next year. I think SCAR, @Auburn, and @ARK will be winnable. I think LSU will be tough as nails, and UGA will be greatly improved. I think 8-4 next year is best case unless Relf just really develops over the off season and these bowl practices and our WR core much much better, as well as the young LBs. CJ Johnson needs to be as good as advertised. I think we're better overall in every position set on D, but our young LBs will decide if our D is better next year than last. The talent is certainly there. I do see a stretch from LA TECH to UK where we have a chance to make a good run and really make it a special season. But who knows, if we drastically improve and can beat Auburn and LSU, we could have a 1998 type run at the SECW, or maybe start off like we did in 99 and be 9-0 going into the Bama game, we will see, but as of now, I say 8-4 at best, 6-6 at worst.

 

[TheStateUofMS]

@MEM, @BARN, LSU, LATECH, @UGA, @UAB, SCAR, @UK, TENN-MARTIN, BAMA, @ARK, MISS

Man I don't like that home schedule. It's way too scattered around.Realistically, I see Memphis, La Tech,UAB,UK,TN-Martin and Ole Miss as should be wins. It doesn't get any easier next year. We're going to have to be greatly improved to have a shot at being better than 8-4 this time next year. I think SCAR, @Auburn, and @ARK will be winnable. I think LSU will be tough as nails, and UGA will be greatly improved. I think 8-4 next year is best case unless Relf just really develops over the off season and these bowl practices and our WR core much much better, as well as the young LBs. CJ Johnson needs to be as good as advertised. I think we're better overall in every position set on D, but our young LBs will decide if our D is better next year than last. The talent is certainly there. I do see a stretch from LA TECH to UK where we have a chance to make a good run and really make it a special season. But who knows, if we drastically improve and can beat Auburn and LSU, we could have a 1998 type run at the SECW, or maybe start off like we did in 99 and be 9-0 going into the Bama game, we will see, but as of now, I say 8-4 at best, 6-6 at worst.

 

[seshomoru]

Enjoy the success of the present while you can. It hasn't happened often, and while I expect there to be more successful years in the future than we typically see at MSU, I'm not gonna waste this moment worrying about next year's schedule.

 

[GloryDawg]

Extra practice for the bowl game. Spring Training and then the fall practice. Relf will be good. Plus we are getting all are skilled players back on offense with three starting OL comming back with others with playing time. Our offense is going to be the **** next year.</p>

 

[BadDawg.sixpack]

[No message]

 

[Sarc Dawg]

Our Center and Left Tackle are both Seniors. Both are excellent leaders and one is a first round NFL pick. We're going to need some players to step up there.</p>

 

[mstatefan88]

Extra practice for the bowl game. Spring Training and then the fall practice. Relf will be good. Plus we are getting all are skilled players back on offense with five OL comming back. Our offense is going to be the **** next year.</p>

For a young team likeours, the extra practices are huge for us.16practices Ibelieve, and think about it in terms of this. Teams that go to 4 straight bowl games get an extra 64 practices overthose 4 years. That is the equivalent ofthe amount of weekday practices from the beginning of the season to the end of the season, and I believe that's the reason these higher rankedteams have so manyimpactjuniors on their team. They already have almost an entire year's worth of extra practicesfromthe extraalloted bowl practices. These practices are huge building blocks down the road.

 

[GloryDawg]

Everyone else is coming back plus the Center was out for a few games and his replacement during that time got some experience at the position. We will be ok on the two loses. I know the senior tackle is probably the best on the line but someone will step up. I got full confidence in our coaching staff to get them ready.

 

[ArlngtnDawg]

Our Center and Left Tackle are both Seniors. Both are excellent leaders and one is a first round NFL pick. We're going to need some players to step up there.</p>

Center is not going to be an issue. We've already shown in several games that we have a replacement for Brignone. LT is another story all together. I'll put my money on Hervesy having our OL ready. I'm most worried about LBs and the fact we are in the West. Improve all you want, you still have to beat LSU, Bama, Auburn, Arkansas, and Ole Miss to have a great year. We need to be 3-2 in the West to have something special next year (plus win the rest which won't be easy).

I think we can win any of our games but we will most likely be underdogs in 5 or 6 of them.

 

[Maroon Blood]

.

 

[slickdawg]

Auburn will be a shell of this years team.
Alabama might be too if Jones and Ingram head to the NFL, Richardson will still be there though
LSU - a loss, guaranteed
UK loses Hartline and Cobb probably goes to the NFL
LaTech - Croom is gone
SCAR - trouble
Ark - a loss, guaranteed

I'd say 10 wins is a realistic goal.

 

[Incognegro]

Why even play the game if that's the case?

 

[Sarc Dawg]

Our backup centeris a starting guard. We'll still be replacing 2 starting OL. I have confidence in the coaching staff to make the transition as smooth as possible, but you don't lose that kind of leadership on the OL and not take a step back.

 

[mstatefan88]

Only spot I'm worried about on the line is LT. Gonna be tough to place Sherrod. When he swung around and nailed that LB to free up Relf on his long run, I said "Damn we are gonna miss that guy." I don't know who we will put there. I've heard Clausell is doing well, and since he has had extra PT because he was an early enrollee out of high school, I would give the early nod to him.

 

[slickdawg]

Why even play the game if that's the case?

We are 1-19 in the last 20 with LSU. Most of these have been blowouts.

I think we've beaten Arkansas once at Arkansas in 9-10 tries.

 

[Incognegro]

I see what you're saying...

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

I agree with others that our only major concern on offense is the loss of Sherrod. Saulsberry played pretty well in his time at Center. On top of that, we have Dillon Day maiming people in practice, I wouldn't be surprised if he got some PT on the interior somewhere next year.<div>
</div><div>It will be interesting to see if we try Clausell or D. Robinson at RT and move Lawrence to LT. Outside of bringing in a JUCO tackle, that has to be what we are planning on doing. </div><div>
</div><div>My only concerns about next year are LT, DE and LB. I think we are going to be better or equal at QB, RB, WR, TE and the other O-line positions. Better or equal at DT and the secondary. Ferguson and McCardell seem to be stepping up at end, which is good, and it looks like we are going to attempt to sign a JUCO DE as well. </div><div>
</div><div>At LB, anyone else notice that Chris Hughes played a pretty good game Saturday? We might be looking at a really fast LB crew next year - You have to think that the staff is going to be tempted to move Matt Wells to OLB. Then we need someone to emerge out of Bohanna, Holmes, Skinner, Hunt, B. Wilson, etc. Throw in CJ Johnson and Dee Arrington and I am hopeful we find something that works. I predict we will see Wilson start the season at MLB, with Johnson backing him up and getting PT. Hughes, Arrington and maybe Wells rotating at one OLB spot and Skinner, Hunt and Lawrence fighting for the other spot. </div>

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

They will put Auburn in there for obvious reasons, but unless they go out and buy another QB they will go 5-3 in conference at best. Ole Miss doesn't look like they'll be getting any better and can easily be bottom dweller for a couple more years. LSU and Alabama will be good again, but not world-beaters. Arkansas better hope Mallett returns.<div>
</div><div>I see the cross-conference schedule as being the make or break for a SECW title. Beat @Kentucky and one of either SCAR (Lattimore returns) or @UGA (should be much better next year) and we can win the division. I think this could be a 1998 like year where we sneak away with the west title with a 6-2 record, but this is the best case scenario and would rely on the east being better than the west next year.</div>

 

[mstatefan88]

I don't know if I would be a big fan of that or not, but it seems as though someone who is currently playing safety may get beefed up during the offseason to play OLB. We've got a ton of athleticism available at the LB position, and I think Skinner is going to start next year. He started the game off well with that hit on the kickoff, and hehas bulked up alot. I would love to see a Skinner, Johnson, Hughes/Bohanna starting lineup at LB next year. Ton of potential in that lineup, and speed that we've never had at the LB position before. Arrington is the wild card here, because it seems like he projects well as an LB and could make the rotation, but I for one would really love to be able to RS him if we are able to use what we have now and still be successful.

DE is very concerning to me next year. Ferguson seems to be doing well, but I just don't see anyone that is going to be able to dominate the line of scrimmage from the ends next year. I'm guessing Eulls is going to see some time next year, and Stigers rotated in this year as well, so I expect to see him some. Like you sais Azzuri, JUCO seems to be the route we are going to take for one of the end spots next year.

Stuff I've been hearing is that Matt Wells is an absolute beast at SS right now, and that he may start next year there. I don't know if we will move him or not, but it sounds like there is a good chance he finds a way to make an impact this year. Getting him to play defense could pay off huge for us in the future. I think he could be better than Charles Mitchell.

 

[00Dawg]

8 expected, 9 as the goal.
4 OOCs, plus UK, UM, and Auburn in the should-wins.
Bama and UGA in the toss-up column.
Ark, LSU, and SC in the should-lose bracket.

Tempted to knock LSU down a notch due to the last time we faced them at home, but their roster is just oozing with talent.
The semi-wild card in all this is that Mullen has only had one bad performance at home to date.

 

[Coach34]

Auburn will be a shell of this years team.
Alabama might be too if Jones and Ingram head to the NFL, Richardson will still be there though
LSU - a loss, guaranteed
UK loses Hartline and Cobb probably goes to the NFL
LaTech - Croom is gone
SCAR - trouble
Ark - a loss, guaranteed

I'd say 10 wins is a realistic goal.

because according to Sixpack rules, if you say something is realistic you are predicting it. The $500 bet is on the way....

 

[Hidog78]

Relf is finishing his third year. He has absorded or has been coached asmuch as he can. Relf's problem is his deciding the call. The same problem that Tyson L. had with the play against LSU. Trying pull the ball away from Dixon at the goal line. Relf did the same thing with Ballard Sat. night.

 

[Coach34]

are Tyler Russell or his Dad...but there is no doubt you are related

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

Also, it was telling that Bonner started at safety this weekend. I have been high on the Bonner hate train, but he really did come around this year and play better. I think we can afford to move one of Wells and Whitley, with Thames claiming a spot in the rotation. I also don't think it would be a big shock to see Banks back at Safety in the spring. We have Darius Slay coming in and Love/Hughes coming up at CB. <div>
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[o_1984Dawg]

3 of the 4 best teams we'll play (Bama, LSU, SC, an Ark) are at home. If we can beat LSU at home we may control our own destiny going into the Bama game.

With that said, 7-5 or 8-4 is probablyrealistic expectations.

 

[jcbully]

He has really good ball skills as evident by his phenominal picks this year, and has good enough speed to locate the ball and go get it in coverage, and doesn't have great size for a LB-6' 195 or 200. We are starting to pile up at the safety position with Whitley, Mitchell, Bonner, Thames, and Wells all coming back. I think they like Wells as the SS of the future with Whitley and Thames both being good options at FS. We're just OK at LB for next year, some guys are gonna have to step up. I consider Cam Lawrence a virtual starter because he played a ton of snaps this year splitting time with Gaitling. Now whether he can hold off Chris Hughes is one thing. Those 2 along with Dee Arrington will compete for the strong side spot. Brandon Wilson played a good bit this year as well, and is not a bad player in his own right, he's not C.White, but he has shown he can make plays. Him, Bohanna, and C.J. Johnson will fight it out in the middle.On the weakside, M. Hunt and Skinner will likely both play alot. So, lots of unproven guys, but some experience. Just got to have 3 or 4 of them pan out to be quality, consistent players. Left Tackle is our only hole on offense, and I have no clue who plays there if we don't bring in a JUCO guy. I gues Blaine Clausell, but its scary to start a RS Freshman at LT in this league.

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

You might have noticed that we were really soft over the middle all year. When we had Bonner in there Saturday that seemed to be less of a problem. I agree that he has made some phenomenal picks, but he has gotten burned a LOT too, including on the long TD over the middle vs. ARK. Not sure if he was in on the TD over the middle by Ole Miss - where they faked the throw to the flats and hit they guy over the middle for the TD. Also, I would be surprised if Whitley wasn't about 210 by now.

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

Whitley was not in on that TD play over the middle. Really that one was more on White and Gatling though, but a great play by Masoli is what made it. I will add to our earlier discussion that Whitley also got caught taking some bad angles on a lot of plays this year. <div>
</div><div>Of course, we have to remember that he is a redshirt freshman, so take all this with the grain of salt - I love having the kid on the team and I think he should be on the field - we are just debating where he should start. </div>

 

[Todd4State]

He is just a RS freshman, as you said, and his RS year he was recovering from a knee injury. He was a QB in high school, so this is really his first year at playing safety full time. It's not surprising that he takes bad angles at times. If he stays at safety, he will get better. If he moves to LB, I think that he could handle that well. The staff will have to move either him or Wells to LB if they want to get them all on the field at the same time.

I personally feel like Wells would be better at LB and Whitley would be better at safety.

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

I don't know enough about Wells to know who would make the better OLB, but with the reviews he is getting and the plays Whitley is capable of making, it would be nice to get both on the field. <div>
</div><div>Basically we have Mitchell entrenched for one more year, then Bonner/Whitley/Thames/Wells. I see a few possibilities. 1 of those 4 backs up Mitchell, the other two rotate at the other spot, and 1 takes over Zach Smith's nickel role. That could be where Wells ends up. </div><div>
</div><div>So...</div><div>S - Mitchell/Thames</div><div>S - Bonner or Whitley or Wells (or Banks)</div><div>Nickel - Thames or Wells</div><div>OLB - Whitley or Wells</div>

 

[mstatefan88]

There are so many kids on this team that can play multiple positions and be successful that we can't figure out who the hell is gonnastart wherenext year. I'm with you Azzuri in that I think we see Banks back at safety.Instintively he is betterat that position and can use his athleticism more there.Slay will start next year at CB, and having a choice between Love, Broomfield, and a few others makes me feel good about the CBposition. We've got maybe 8 or 9guys on this team including recruitsthat can begood or great SEC LB's, and 4 or 5 guys that can play safety and be successful. Speed all over the place, and guys that have good instincts. A far cry from previous years.

You look at a guy like Nickoe. Took an awful route on that screen pass against Auburn for that 1st TD. 2 series later, he makes a fantastic downfieldpick on Newtonin the endzone for a pick. We've got young kids all over the fieldthat will make mistakes, but will come back and make solid plays.The young guys on this team are making huge impacts.

All this goes to say that the more names we throw out there, the more and more comfortable I get about how our defense will look next year.We are losing some solid leaders, butwe will have solid depth and talentat multiple defensive positions next year, and when the hell was the last time wecould say that about our defense?

 

[klerushund]

...many thought Georgia & Florida were "guaranteed" losses. Looking back now, none of our wins were upsets. All of our losses were to better teams.<div>
</div><div>We just had a season where we beat all the teams we were supposed to beat and lost to the teams to whom we were supposed to lose.</div><div>
</div><div>The next step is to start beating one or two of those better teams.</div><div>
</div><div>Given our non-conference schedule, we should be 4-0 in those games. Anything less would be a huge letdown.</div><div>
</div><div>So the question is can we have a winning conference record?</div><div>
</div><div>We should beat: Kentucky & Ole Miss</div><div>We probably won't beat: LSU & Arkansas</div><div>We could beat or get beaten by: Auburn, Bama, South Carolina, Georgia</div><div>
</div><div>Can we win three of those four? Sure, but we could lose three of those too. I'm hopeful that we can go 5-3 in SEC play. To me, that would be a sign that things are really moving in the right direction.</div>

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

After 2011, we only lose Mitchell (as discussed, great options to step in), Broomfield (options look good for replacement), Carmon (still have Cox Boyd and Jones) and Ferguson on defense. If we overcome our LB changeover next year, the Defense should be very good for the next 2 years - especially with added time in Diaz's system. <div>
</div><div>We lose Relf (will have Russell/Favre/Prescott), Ballard (will have Perkins/Griffin), Lawrence (will have D. Robinson, Muniz, Clausell), Saulsberry (Dillon Day) and M. Green (unknown) on offense. </div>

 

[Hidog78]

Related or realistic. Yes, he ran and passed for over two fifty or three hundred in the couple of games. He also ran and passed for less than a hundred in two or three games. Your the one with all the so called knowledge in football and basketball can you see after three years( two of them running the system) that he can improve? NO, if the group around improves we can win 8,9 possibly 10. I been watching this team since Felker so I know a thing or two.

 

[tenureplan]

Giving him the medical already?</p>

 

[Mr Meoff]

*

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

So he would be leaving after 2011 - unless I am missing something.

 

[tenureplan]

my bad.

We may have him for the next 2 then. I'm sure he stands a decent chance for a medical.

 

[Incognegro]

That was a designed draw. No decision was needed to be made on that play.