My Five Questions for Saturday

[615dawg]

1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Will the offense look like an SEC offense?</span> I think this is everyone's min concern. I realize that any performance against JSU should be taken with a grain of salt, but this game should be compared to Croom's 38-6 win over Murray State or Croom's 35-3 win over Jacksonville State - two of the largest offensive explosions in the Croom era. If we score in the 30s, that tells me there is little or no improvement. If we creep into the upper 40s, 50s or dare I say 60s, I will look forward to seeing how the offese looks against an SEC defense.

2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">We're all concerned about the offense, what about the defense?</span> Much of the offseason talk has been about offense, but there are a few questions on defense. Mullen's comments make me think that the defense will be solid, but Torbush's 77-0 game is in the back of my mind. Like our offense, we can't get too excited if we blank JSU or hold them to a field goal or two. (JSU has a pretty good kicker, if we turn the ball over, or they have a decent drive, they will at least get on the board with their kicker). Conversely, if JSU scores in double digits by halftime (even if we lead 35-14) the defense will worry me headed to the Plains.

3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Will there be any USM-like problems with JSU fans?</span> JSU fans do not like reserved seats, and the Sonic Boom is likely to be sat in the upper deck, and a colleague of mine said that JSU fans would just walk up to tailgates in Hattiesburg. I do not see the latter going over well at most MSU tents. Will there be fights? Will there be racist remarks from either side? Will there be problems? Its a question I have.

4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Will there be an on-field penalty for the Sonic Boom?</span> Look, if you don't realize it, most of the buzz at a JSU game is around the band, and its unfortunate because they have won their division two years running, and took the SWAC in '07. The Sonic Boom plays constantly during the game, with no regards to the game. That doesn't fly in the SEC, and SEC officials have reportedly already let it be known that they will throw a flag.

5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Will there be a new energy in Starkville?</span> A new coach, new logos, new mascot and new banners - will this translate into a new, positive attitude regarding MSU football? It may be hard to tell after game one, but one thing I am watching is the amount of merchandise with the new logos. The more t-shirts, polos, hats and such that I see- to me that translates to a new, positive energy, that will eventually translate to on the field success.

 

[615dawg]

1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Will the offense look like an SEC offense?</span> I think this is everyone's min concern. I realize that any performance against JSU should be taken with a grain of salt, but this game should be compared to Croom's 38-6 win over Murray State or Croom's 35-3 win over Jacksonville State - two of the largest offensive explosions in the Croom era. If we score in the 30s, that tells me there is little or no improvement. If we creep into the upper 40s, 50s or dare I say 60s, I will look forward to seeing how the offese looks against an SEC defense.

2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">We're all concerned about the offense, what about the defense?</span> Much of the offseason talk has been about offense, but there are a few questions on defense. Mullen's comments make me think that the defense will be solid, but Torbush's 77-0 game is in the back of my mind. Like our offense, we can't get too excited if we blank JSU or hold them to a field goal or two. (JSU has a pretty good kicker, if we turn the ball over, or they have a decent drive, they will at least get on the board with their kicker). Conversely, if JSU scores in double digits by halftime (even if we lead 35-14) the defense will worry me headed to the Plains.

3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Will there be any USM-like problems with JSU fans?</span> JSU fans do not like reserved seats, and the Sonic Boom is likely to be sat in the upper deck, and a colleague of mine said that JSU fans would just walk up to tailgates in Hattiesburg. I do not see the latter going over well at most MSU tents. Will there be fights? Will there be racist remarks from either side? Will there be problems? Its a question I have.

4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Will there be an on-field penalty for the Sonic Boom?</span> Look, if you don't realize it, most of the buzz at a JSU game is around the band, and its unfortunate because they have won their division two years running, and took the SWAC in '07. The Sonic Boom plays constantly during the game, with no regards to the game. That doesn't fly in the SEC, and SEC officials have reportedly already let it be known that they will throw a flag.

5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Will there be a new energy in Starkville?</span> A new coach, new logos, new mascot and new banners - will this translate into a new, positive attitude regarding MSU football? It may be hard to tell after game one, but one thing I am watching is the amount of merchandise with the new logos. The more t-shirts, polos, hats and such that I see- to me that translates to a new, positive energy, that will eventually translate to on the field success.

 

[Dinkle]

4. Will there be an on-field penalty for the Sonic Boom? Look, if you don't realize it, most of the buzz at a JSU game is around the band, and its unfortunate because they have won their division two years running, and took the SWAC in '07. The Sonic Boom plays constantly during the game, with no regards to the game. That doesn't fly in the SEC, and SEC officials have reportedly already let it be known that they will throw a flag.

 

[Griffdawg]

is once we get a 3 touchdown lead on JSU, will Mullen pull the first team and sub the 2nd and 3rd team to get them game experience? I honestly don't care if we only score in the 30's unless we play the first team for most of the game. I feel like Mullen will get a comfortable lead and then substitute freely to get guys some actually game time snaps. I think he will use this game to evaluate a lot of the 2's and 3's on our depth chart. It's more important that we build solid depth than beat an inferior opponent by 50 + points.

 

[leftydog]

1. No way, not this first game at least. I expect it to take shape, but I don't expect to see an SEC caliber offense take the field.

2. I think the defense will be serviceable, but not world beating.

3. Yes. I think that JSU's coach has all but insured that w/ the comments in the CL. I half wonder if that was his aim - to stir up the sh*t before the game. I'll prob be in said upper deck, so I'm hoping I'm wrong.

4. No. I imagine it'll get ignored as much as possible, unless things just get absurd.

5. DEFINITELY.

 

[futaba.79]

people would be lying if they didn't admit that problems with fans clashing are a concern. On the other hand, I'd almost bet that the JSU fans won't be near the problem that LSU fans always are. MSU Police will tell you that the game they always dread is the LSU game.

 

[imissplatinumplus]

will it have and effect?

Will the pre-game atmosphere be improved?

Will my ice still smell like ***?

Will I be able to get Dreamland ribs or be force to miss the first half?

Will the coeds wear short sun dresses?

 

[DerHntr]

will the Junction be totally trashed like it was at the beginning of the season last year. I haven't seen anything yet that is asking fans to not be jackasses with their trash.

We going to have some pictures of people trashing the place like last season or what?

 

[futaba.79]

http://www.msstate.edu/web/media/detail.php?id=4657

 

[msu21]

If so.....who would win??

</p>

 

[AdamDawgDude]

</p>

 

[MonkeyCheese]

1. I think the offense will break into the 40's. Especially if AD plays. But I think we'll see some razzle dazzle at some point too. I think JSU's coach's comments might have upped the score a TD or so.

2. Defense will be fine in regards to stopping JSU's offense. I expect McPhee to get in Tray's face more than a few times. And our LB's will get to know him too.

3. Why would it be a big deal that a JSU fan walks up to a MSU tailgater? It it because they look "different" or because they are acting out of line. Two completely different situations.

4. No penalty unless Tyson complains about not being able to call his audibles.

5. New energy? Heck yes! It's already starting to buzz on campus. There's an anticipation.

 

[DerHntr]

[No message]

 

[Rabid]

1. What's a "SEC offense"? Our offense will go through an adjustment period for a few games before they get all of the kinks worked out. USM went through some growing pains when they converted to the spread. We will also.

2. Our defense will be fine. I expect Torbush to sub early and often. Our secondary will be tested because JSU will be playing from behind and the actually have a few good receivers.

3. This question is ridiculous. JSU fans are no different than any other fans. I don't know whether this is xenophobia or just simple racism. But, "problems" will be found by those who look for them.

4. The Sonic Boom DOES NOT constantly play during the game without regard for the game. This is either a blatant lie or another xenophobic misunderstanding. Unlike most of you, I've actually been to a few JSU games (hard to believe - I know) and I can personally attest to the fact that they take the game into consideration when they play. Now, it is true that SWAC bands do "battle" with each other during the game by playing back and forth. But, that is still done within the constraints of the game.

5. I hope so. This is the beginning of a new era and I hope we can move on to bigger and better things.

 

[coco]

</p>look out below.. coco got you on a photo!!

and "coed" is a creepy word used by older men

 

[Shmuley]

nm

 

[DerHntr]

[No message]

 

[BigMotherTucker]

and I will start a "Thread of Shame" on the fark board to honor the offenders.

 

[Jackdragbean]

Mr. creepy little fantasy island guy.

 

[DerHntr]

615 said this:

3. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Will there be any USM-like problems with JSU fans?</span> JSU fans do not like reserved seats, and the Sonic Boom is likely to be sat in the upper deck, and a colleague of mine said that JSU fans would just walk up to tailgates in Hattiesburg. I do not see the latter going over well at most MSU tents. Will there be fights? Will there be racist remarks from either side? Will there be problems? Its a question I have.

and you follow with this:

3. This question is ridiculous. JSU fans are no different than any other fans. I don't know whether this is xenophobia or just simple racism. But, "problems" will be found by those who look for them.

First, people "just walking up to tailgates" has nothing to do with them being of a particular race. Second, he clearly isn't being racist when he asks "will their be racist remarks from either side?" because he implies that both sides may do it. Third, there were problems in Hattiesburg. So why would it be racist to question whether or not there could be problems in Starkville when the same fanbase is coming to town. Is it racist to say that Corndog LSU fans coming to town might result in some "problems"? Nope. It is an observation from previous occurrances. Of course the USM fans could have been the problem but I don't remember many reports out of Hattiesburg discussing the multiple fights on game day. Lastly, sometimes problems find you. I have been provoked before. It happens.

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

nm

 

[Xenomorph]

...stop playing before the snap? They just keep bangin' on their bongos while the play is going on?

Of all the funny **** on the board this week that may be the best.

Lmao

 

[DawgatAuburn]

If Dan Mullen wears a hat, will it be crooked or straight?

 

[tossedoff]

We may have our own Darth Visor.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

I don't recall seeing Mullen with a hat. That's a pretty good size melon he's toting around. The visor might be a better option.

 

[Griffdawg]

What are you hearing out of Auburn? I know I'm jumping ahead to week 2, but once again the Auburn game will probably make or break our season. Every Auburn fan that I talk to says they have nothing. One of them told me yesterday that they will be playing up to 12 true freshmen this year out of necessity. What is your assessment of them?

 

[MSUCostanza]

JSU to Jacksonville State or Murray State. Those two teams would likely beat JSU by 3-4 TD's.

I will be surprised if we don't score over 50.

 

[msdawg90]

Will Mullen be constantly looking down at a laminated play-sheet? I couldn't stand that.</p>

 

[MaroonInNashville]

And sport a cowboy hat....but hopefully not...

 

[DawgatAuburn]

The bit about playing 12 freshmen is true. Chiz said "playing" does not mean two snaps a game. He means significant snaps. The one that probably won't play if all goes well is Rollison, the highly rated freshman quarterback.

Most everyone around here has Auburn penciled in from 6-6 to 8-4, although there are some who have told me they see 9-3. People have a lot of faith in Malzahn. He will really have to make the proverbial silk purse out of a sow's ear with this group though. Chris Todd, Ben Tate, and Darvin Adams are a long way from Jason Campbell, Cadillac Williams and Ben Obamanu. Defensively, there is talent in places but they are thin behind the starters. Darrin Bates, the FR from Olive Branch is starting at safety, and he just got admitted during two a days, if that tells you anything.

I don't think there is a team in the SEC with more potential to shock than Auburn. Be honest, based off what you say from Auburn last year along with the addition of a head coach who has failed to impress, would anyone be shocked at a 4-8 or 5-7? At the same time it is also not a stretch to see Auburn winning some big home games like West Virginia and Ole Miss and pulling off an 8 or 9 win season.

I think you'll know all you want to know about Auburn after the first three games. I guess you can say that about a lot of teams. But La Tech, MSU and WVU each provide an opponent who could beat you. I'll say this, if it's 1-2 or 0-3, it will get ugly quickly on the Plains.

 

[McMeat]

as a native Houstonian, I love the guy. The 5 gallon is classic but his coaching and one liners are greatness. One of a kind.

 

[coco]

Mr. creepy little fantasy island guy.

thats fine, ive got your sundress right here.
and yea, my kettle is black. does that make it inferior in your eyes? is that how you judge things?

 

[xxxWalkTheDawg]

1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Will the offense look like an SEC offense?</span> I think this is everyone's min concern. I realize that any performance against JSU should be taken with a grain of salt, but this game should be compared to Croom's 38-6 win over Murray State or Croom's 35-3 win over Jacksonville State - two of the largest offensive explosions in the Croom era. If we score in the 30s, that tells me there is little or no improvement. If we creep into the upper 40s, 50s or dare I say 60s, I will look forward to seeing how the offese looks against an SEC defense.

No way that Mullen would keep the throttle down and put it in the upper 50's and 60's unless the 2nd or 3rd string does it. Now I would ask this question... Does the offense struggle all game to score those 35 or 38 points like in the croom error? or will the leash be tugged on in the 3rd quarter to slow the momentum and let JSU take their check back to jackson with some dignity?

 

[patdog]

People have a lot of faith in Malzahn.

His gimmick fast-break offense won't work in the SEC. Last year his offense looked completely disorganized and was successful only because CUSA defenses were so terrible and even more disorganized. SEC defenses won't fall apart like that. And before anybody starts in with that "people said the same thing about Urban Meyer's offense" ****, I said from the day Meyer was hired at Florida that his offense would kick *** in the SEC.

 

[chuckdawg]

1. No, it will look like an awesome hs off with lots of potential
2. Defense will be what we expect, stop the run, give up deep ball
3.No, they only ones that can afford to come will behave
4.Hell no
5. HELL YES

 

[LumpDawg1055]

I would like to know when the dawg pound rock will make a apparence and when it does how loud is the stadium going to be?