Playing USM and the SWAC schools...

[Faustdog]

I don't know why we ever play USM. I'm just old enough to remember when we did play them every year. Every year we played them as we were about to start a brutal SEC gauntlet, and we were absolutely their Super Bowl. They hated us with a passion that no one else did then or since.

It you want to talk about toxic, those games were toxic in one direction.

I have a distinct memory of my parents and second grade me being cussed at by a group of six or eight USM students on our way out of a game in Jackson. Despite being mostly from Mississippi, their fans somehow manage to give a Jersey Shore vibe.

They've done some bush league things in the past. They literally had police come on the field and remove Ron Polk when he was arguing with an umpire. I think he was in disbelief at what was going on. The cops over a baseball argument?

I also seem to remember them doing some really bush league things to stop state fans from getting tickets to football and baseball games at USM.

Never schedule them again.

The SWAC schools on the other hand, why not? Computer rankings are not a big deal in college football, and frankly no one cares whether you beat JSU or Bowling Green. The local SWAC schools generate some local interest, an upgraded halftime experience, and a known win.

 

[jethreauxdawg]

So we can build drama for our next conference rivalry game.

 

[patdog]

Because it’s usually an easy win & we can usually get a 2-for-1 from them. No different than playing LA Tech or Troy.

 

[GloryDawg]

Because it’s usually an easy win & we can usually get a 2-for-1 from them. No different than playing LA Tech or Troy.

I always worry about La Tech when we play them. Don't know why. I guess because of the Croom loss to them.

 

[Maroon13]

Playing swac school is nothing more than a scrimmage.

Playing USM is interesting and fun for fans. For players and coaches, a good measure of where we are as a team and program.

However with that said, I'd only play USM if they give us 2 for 1 in football. Basketball the deal would have to be a home game one year and December game in Jackson on other years.

 

[Faustdog]

Because it’s usually an easy win & we can usually get a 2-for-1 from them. No different than playing LA Tech or Troy.

Go down to hattiesburg in a few weeks and then tell me it's like playing LaTech or Troy.

 

[Maroon13]

Btw I'll have 4 Alcorn tickets to sell (probably give away) if it's such an entertaining game

I'm betting I won't be able to give them away.

 

[Barkman Turner Overdrive]

I always worry about La Tech when we play them. Don't know why. I guess because of the Croom loss to them.

We are a much different program today than we were during the Croom Error.***

 

[retire the banner]

Not sure why some of you believe USM in 2025 is anything remotely similar to what they were 20+ years ago. We played them a handful of times in this new era of conference realignment and they are a shell of a program.

 

[85Bears]

Not sure why some of you believe USM in 2025 is anything remotely similar to what they were 20+ years ago. We played them a handful of times in this new era of conference realignment and they are a shell of a program.

I hear ya brah, next they will be saying we would get blown out at home by Toledo**

 

[Maroon13]

I hear ya brah, next they will be saying we would get blown out at home by Toledo**

Well we could lose to USM this year. It's possible. However you only get better by playing better competition. Beating up MVSU at home wouldn't do a damn thing to prepare Mississippi State for sec play.

 

[The Peeper]

We played them a handful of times in this new era of conference realignment and they are a shell of a program.

That's what other teams have been saying about us the last couple years and looking like it this one too

 

[maroontide06]

Not sure why some of you believe USM in 2025 is anything remotely similar to what they were 20+ years ago. We played them a handful of times in this new era of conference realignment and they are a shell of a program.

Ain't this a pot calling a kettle black.

 

[MStateDawg]

we can usually get a 2-for-1 from them.

No we don't. Since the series was restarted in 2014:

Starkville: 2014, 2019, 2023, 2031
Hattiesburg: 2015, 2025, 2030

We've signed 3 home & home contracts with Southern and one single game (in Starkville) contract.

 

[MStateDawg]

Southern Miss fans are the worst winners on Earth. Their fans turn into absolute arrogant dickheads the second they beat us in anything. Thank God they haven't beaten us in football since 88, but I'd just assume not play them ever again. I don't want to help their program financially in any possible way. 17 em!

 

[patdog]

Not sure why some of you believe USM in 2025 is anything remotely similar to what they were 20+ years ago. We played them a handful of times in this new era of conference realignment and they are a shell of a program.

We haven't lost to them since 1988 and have won 6 straight against them. Since we started playing them again in 2014, we've won 4 games by an average score of 41-13. As bad as we are right now, we're still 2 touchdown favorites on the road.

 

[patdog]

No we don't. Since the series was restarted in 2014:

Starkville: 2014, 2019, 2023, 2031
Hattiesburg: 2015, 2025, 2030

We've signed 3 home & home contracts with Southern and one single game (in Starkville) contract.

Damn. Somehow I missed the 2030-2031 games. That's bullsh*t. The 2019, 2023 & 2025 games were signed as a buy game and a home-and-home, but it was really a disguised 2-for-1. Both contracts were signed the same day.

 

[Chesusdog]

I have a distinct memory of my parents and second grade me being cussed at by a group of six or eight USM students on our way out of a game in Jackson.

So youre saying 2/3 of their fanbase were mean to you?

 

[patdog]

Southern Miss fans are the worst winners on Earth.

How would we know any more?

 

[MStateDawg]

How would we know any more?

Let's just keep it that way

 

[Howiefeltersnstch]

We need to prove we are a superior program every year so we can steal their recruits

 

[OG Goat Holder]

I don't know why we ever play USM. I'm just old enough to remember when we did play them every year. Every year we played them as we were about to start a brutal SEC gauntlet, and we were absolutely their Super Bowl. They hated us with a passion that no one else did then or since.

It you want to talk about toxic, those games were toxic in one direction.

I have a distinct memory of my parents and second grade me being cussed at by a group of six or eight USM students on our way out of a game in Jackson. Despite being mostly from Mississippi, their fans somehow manage to give a Jersey Shore vibe.

They've done some bush league things in the past. They literally had police come on the field and remove Ron Polk when he was arguing with an umpire. I think he was in disbelief at what was going on. The cops over a baseball argument?

I also seem to remember them doing some really bush league things to stop state fans from getting tickets to football and baseball games at USM.

Never schedule them again.

The SWAC schools on the other hand, why not? Computer rankings are not a big deal in college football, and frankly no one cares whether you beat JSU or Bowling Green. The local SWAC schools generate some local interest, an upgraded halftime experience, and a known win.

I generally think like you, but since I've given up hope, as long as the SEC would mandate all these games in the first 4 weeks of the season, I would be on board:

MSU and Ole Miss vs. USM yearly
Arkansas vs. Arkansas State yearly
Tennessee and Vanderbilt vs. Memphis and MTSU, rotate
Georgia vs. Kennesaw State, Georgia State or Georgia Southern, every other year at home, since they play Georgia Tech
Alabama and Auburn vs. UAB, Troy and South Alabama, rotate
Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky yearly
LSU vs. Tulane, Lafayette, Monroe and La Tech, rotate
Texas and Texas A&M vs. UTEP, Texas State, UTSA, Rice or North Texas, rotate
Oklahoma vs. Tulsa yearly
South Carolina vs. Coastal Carolina yearly (or East Carolina once in a while)
Florida vs. USF, FAU or FIU, rotate
Missouri gets lucky - they just get to choose one of these teams that are rotated off the SEC schedule in GA, TX, FL and LA

Notice these are all P4 vs. G5, and in addition to any instate rivalry. Once you make P4, no need to help you out unless it's for the mandated P4 game. For Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida, if they choose to do an extra P4 game on top of their rivalry game, they don't have to play this G5 game.

All are home and homes. Time to give back to the G5. However, I'll throw a bone, SEC can buy out the game if they choose, for the G5's price. No neutral sites - get the games back to campus where they belong. No reason for these SEC games to have 8 home games unless they have to pay.

Funny....South Carolina is actually going above and beyond this year, playing Va Tech in addition to Coastal and Clemson.

 

[Xenomorph]

My opinion?... if there is anyone left in the AD who agreed with the decision to open at USM they should be fired post-haste.

 

[basedawg]

I dont get either playing the buzzards. Have you guys who like the series seen their crap stadium and awful school lately. It’s a dump!

 

[patdog]

I dont get either playing the buzzards. Have you guys who like the series seen their crap stadium and awful school lately. It’s a dump!

And the other Sunbelt schools we would replace them with are better?

 

[AttalaDawg72]

So we can build drama for our next conference rivalry game.

The battle for Meridian.