Question, would you be content with a 7-5 record next year?....

[maroonmania]

given the SIGNIFICANT likely jump in the strength of schedule. I'm very tempted to say yes looking at it because say if we lose AL, LSU, @TA&M, and @SC and then only took one more loss among the following games, neutral site game with a good OK ST team, @ a likely much improved Auburn team, @ a likely much improved Arkansas team and Egg Bowl at home. 7-5 actually looks like it would be a pretty decent record with that setup and would, of course, include us having no slip ups in the games we absolutely should win (KY and the other 3 OOC games).

 

[UIUCDog]

Yes. The coaches are miracle workers if we go 7-5 next year.

asdf

 

[Hump4Hoops]

Not happy, but content.

Bama, LSU, aTm, USC - Ls

OKState - Probable L

ole miss, Arkansas - tossup

auburn - probable W

UK, other OOC - Ws

We're starting at a floor of 4-4. I expect 6-6, would take 7-5, and would jump for joy at anything better.

 

[chew1095]

Ecstatic, especially in light of the half *** defense we likely trot out there again, you know, the one with silly schemes, baffling personnel packages, a penchant for upperclassmen that are 1/3 as athletic as their younger brethren and a group incapable of shedding a block or wrapping up an opponent and getting their *** to the ground.

 

[patdog]

I would take 7-5 next year in a heartbeat. We'll be doing good to win 1 between Bama, LSU, OK St., A&M, & USC. And UM, Ark & Auburn won't be gimmes either.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I'll be happy with 6-6 or better.

 

[Coach34]

Bama, LSU, aTm, USC - Ls

OKState - Probable L

ole miss, Arkansas - tossup

auburn - probable W

UK, other OOC - Ws

We're starting at a floor of 4-4. I expect 6-6, would take 7-5, and would jump for joy at anything better.

I wouldnt call A&M an auto loss. They are losing 3 NFL linemen and alot of Sr starters. They are replacing their talent thru recruiting now- but they will fall back some with only 8 or 9 returning starters next year.

7-5 would a be good year next year with the schedule we'll have- no doubt about it. Good- not great.

 

[maroonmania]

I'm actually starting to think next year's schedule could line up to be....

I would take 7-5 next year in a heartbeat. We'll be doing good to win 1 between Bama, LSU, OK St., A&M, & USC. And UM, Ark & Auburn won't be gimmes either.

every bit as difficult as the 2009 schedule which was, I believe, rated as the most difficult in the country. But even that year we had 2 easy OOC games and mediocre KY and Vandy teams on the schedule. So that 2009 schedule had as many easily winnable games on it as our schedule next year will.

 

[Hump4Hoops]

I'm sort of worried about aTm becoming a monster

Their recruiting base, spotlight on them from SEC, the attention a freshman Heisman winner will bring... I can see them winning a national championship in the next few years.

 

[DerHntr]

Absolutely content with 7-5. We should be happy to just be bowl eligible.

 

[QuaoarsKing]

We will beat Oklahoma State. It is bizarre how afraid everyone is of a perennial 7-5 team that had one great year one time.

 

[dawg21]

No..

I am still extremely pissed how we ended this year. I expect a competitive team and for us to pull an upset against a top #15 team. Mullen has redshirted and held back a lot of talent to develop players- well its time to reap some benefits of doing that. We return what should be a sound OL, should have a good running game, and put some sticky spray on Tubby, Morrow and the Johnson's hands and our offense should be comparable to this year. We stop calling stupid plays and it could be better.

Defensively (discussion of the year)- enough has been discussed but we should improve in DL and Safety play and probably a drop off in Corner play. DL improvements make us much better on third down.

One day we've got to make a move and I'm not going to sit here 1 year before the season starts and say "yeah- 7-5 is good with that schedule". I know people are just being realistic, but Mullen has raised everyone's expectations so I feel better about being a State fan when I'm hoping for a 9-3 year.

 

[patdog]

Oklahoma St. has won 48 games in the last 5 years. It's a completely different program from the time before T Boone Pickens made them rich. Not really a team we want to play in our 1st game after losing 3 DB starters and with no pass rush at all. We'll be doing good to stay within 2 TDs of them.

 

[maroonmania]

I don't get the feeling that MSU folks are afraid of OSU...

We will beat Oklahoma State. It is bizarre how afraid everyone is of a perennial 7-5 team that had one great year one time.

its just that its very much a toss up game on a schedule loaded with a lot of extremely difficult conference games and the OSU game was totally unnecessary and strictly of our own doing.

 

[Coach34]

Their recruiting base, spotlight on them from SEC, the attention a freshman Heisman winner will bring... I can see them winning a national championship in the next few years.

I totally agree about them becoming a monster- 8dog called them another potential LSU- and I totally agree with that. I'm just saying they will take a little step back next season with losing so many starters and some very talented players. With them potentially having the top recruiting class and whatnot- they will reload pretty quickly. But I just see a little drop in 2013.

 

[patdog]

No question that they will be a top tier SEC program in the coming years. Tennessee is probably out of that group for the long term. My guess would be that South Carolina will drop out too in a few years.

 

[chew1095]

I agree with what you are saying, but the lack of effort, the lack of focus, the lack of preparation from the top down and the lack of any semblence of a sound gameplan on either side of the ball for the second half of the season has me a little gun-shy about making predictions or expecting us to take the proverbial next step in 2013. Unless there are some pretty significant changes made on both sides of the ball, we will be lucky to be 7-5 next year. We pay Mullen $2.6 and change to make adjustments and he damn well better do it.

 

[Spidey.sixpack]

I would be satisfied with 7-5.

 

[121Josey]

Content

But would be really happy for Dan to get his first upset victory.

 

[bonedaddy401]

You damn right I would be...

I'd take it right now if I could.

I'll say this... If we beat Ok State by a good margin I will expect nothing less and maybe more. If we lose to Ok State.... hold on and pray for 6-6.

 

[af102]

A buddy of mine that graduated from State is in grad school at aTm. We were discussing how they will probably take a step back next year. They lose 3 OL (2 juniors who are top 10 draft picks at tackle and the center), 3 starting WR's, and the starting TE. On defense, they lose a DT, a junior DE that is a top 15 pick, 2 LB's, a corner, and a safety.

 

[CadaverDawg]

A buddy of mine that graduated from State is in grad school at aTm. We were discussing how they will probably take a step back next year. They lose 3 OL (2 juniors who are top 10 draft picks at tackle and the center), 3 starting WR's, and the starting TE. On defense, they lose a DT, a junior DE that is a top 15 pick, 2 LB's, a corner, and a safety.

Yep...AND this will not be the first time teams in the SEC have played Manziel. I would be surprised if every D-Coordinator in the West doesn't spend time during the offseason trying to work on a plan to stop it. And if it's going to take Wilson 30 days to prepare for Northwestern...he probably ought to go ahead and get started on his A&M prep right after the bowl game.

as for the original post...I would be pumped about 7-5 next year. That Okie State game will set the table...win that one and we could make a push for 8-4. But a bowl game next year should be our goal with that schedule. Just keep the streak alive.

 

[engie]

I don't see OK State as a probably loss... Toss-up at worst as of right now.

They lose alot off the 7-5 team this year, including the OC/playcaller...

 

[thunderclap]

No.

 

[Coach 57]

I don't see OK State as a probably loss... Toss-up at worst as of right now.

They lose alot off the 7-5 team this year, including the OC/playcaller...

Ding ding ding....engie right again. They lose 2 starting WRs, C, both RG & LG, and LT on offense. On defense they lose both DEs, WLB, and starting CB. I'd say they lose alot and that I agree with engie and say it's not a "for sure" loss. I think with starting the season in a big time game it will HELP us build throughout the season by facing stiffer competition.

 

[stinkfoot]

given the SIGNIFICANT likely jump in the strength of schedule. I'm very tempted to say yes looking at it because say if we lose AL, LSU, @TA&M, and @SC and then only took one more loss among the following games, neutral site game with a good OK ST team, @ a likely much improved Auburn team, @ a likely much improved Arkansas team and Egg Bowl at home. 7-5 actually looks like it would be a pretty decent record with that setup and would, of course, include us having no slip ups in the games we absolutely should win (KY and the other 3 OOC games).

Is Ark really going to be much improved losing Tyler Wilson?

 

[engie]

Is Ark really going to be much improved losing Tyler Wilson?

I don't really see Ark being "much improved" period. They are going to a smashmouth pro style much like LSU and Alabama run. I don't think Arky can ever get the athletes to run that style with Petrino-level success. Teams like us/them have to rely on certain gimmicks to give us a chance...

 

[johnson86-1]

I'll be much more concerned about Auburn. I know they've had some attrition but I expect they have enough talent to give us problems at home. Plust, last time we played Malzahn, he worked our DC with pretty mediocre talent, although our DC had to try to compensate for some pretty give holes in talent himself.

I would bet on Bama, LSU, and A&M being losses.

USC and OKState being probably losses, but certainly winnable games.

Ole Miss, Auburn, and Arkansas being toss-ups

UK and 3 other OOC being should wins.

6-6 would be acceptable and we should get there. It will be disappointing, but I'm not sure we can expect to improve much with the same coaching and a almost completely new defensive backfield.

I'll be content with 7-5. Honestly, it might be overperforming our talent. Get this recruiting class under our belt and get them a year of experience, and we should be ready to make strides again. Just too hard to overcome two mediocre recruiting classes in a row.

 

[maroonmania]

Nothing is certain about what Auburn and Arkansas will have next year BUT...

Is Ark really going to be much improved losing Tyler Wilson?

I would be shocked if they aren't both better under new coaches than they were this year. You could probably pull a clown off the street that could do as good a job as JL Smith (who was a clown himself). Now whether they are "much improved" I can't say but I feel pretty certain they will both improve.

 

[was21]

yeah

 

[Dawg1976]

Yep.

 

[Ranchdawg]

No, I expect to beat LSU next season along with everyone other than Alabama and Texas A&M.

 

[BogeyGolfer.sixpack]

Yes...

if you are a Miss. State fan and you're not content with 7-5 in any given year, you need to check the record books.

 

[biguglyjoe]

Yes.

 

[FlabLoser]

I wouldnt call A&M an auto loss. They are losing 3 NFL linemen and alot of Sr starters. They are replacing their talent thru recruiting now- but they will fall back some with only 8 or 9 returning starters next year.

7-5 would a be good year next year with the schedule we'll have- no doubt about it. Good- not great.

What would be good about it?

Hard to tell now, but if we go...Yet..Another....Season...without beating a decent team, I'll be disappointed no matter what the record is.

But it's hard to tell because OSU, Ole Miss, Auburn, and Arkansas could all be good, bad, or mediocre.

Its high damn time we beat a top 25 team or two.

 

[Aggie96]

A buddy of mine that graduated from State is in grad school at aTm. We were discussing how they will probably take a step back next year. They lose 3 OL (2 juniors who are top 10 draft picks at tackle and the center), 3 starting WR's, and the starting TE. On defense, they lose a DT, a junior DE that is a top 15 pick, 2 LB's, a corner, and a safety.

We are losing 2 starting WRs and one of them wasn't one of our top 4 receivers. Our TE didn't do much
The 2 Jr. OLmen both have little brothers on the team and have both said they might stay to play with them. Demontre Moore is also talking about staying and making a run at a MNC. We are losing some good players, but we have some good backups coming up behind them too. Not to mention a 5 Star RB and the #1 Recruit in the Nation 6'6" 245lb WR
I think we will be fine, maybe even better

 

[00Dawg]

So long as it includes an Egg Bowl win, absolutely.

 

[CadaverDawg]

We are losing 2 starting WRs and one of them wasn't one of our top 4 receivers. Our TE didn't do much
The 2 Jr. OLmen both have little brothers on the team and have both said they might stay to play with them. Demontre Moore is also talking about staying and making a run at a MNC. We are losing some good players, but we have some good backups coming up behind them too. Not to mention a 5 Star RB and the #1 Recruit in the Nation 6'6" 245lb WR
I think we will be fine, maybe even better

And your Offensive Coordinator. But we know, you guys just reload.***

 

[Palos verdes]

Yes. Our schedule gets more difficult next season mainly because of the succession of tougher games. A lot of people think that Ok State will be a probable loss and Auburn a probable win. I think it's more the opposite. We only have 2 breaks in the league next year. Arky is on the schedule and we play LSU at home.

We are already 1-0 for 2013, hence Alcorn St.

Ok State- Possible win. Ok State should have a lot of unanswered questions.. kinda like us.

Auburn will be very tough at Auburn. Malzahn will give our defense the trots trying to prepare for this one. But it's a possible win, if we beat Ok State, if not, it's a probable loss. Further, I believe that we could have lost to Arkansas State this year under Malzahn.

Troy will be tough! Possible win.

LSU at home. Could it be?? Probably not, but it's a possible win.

Bowling Green- Could be tough (see Florida 2012) . Probable win.

Kentucky- Probable win.

South Carolina will be difficult, but they were overrated this year and had more talent. If we haven't stunk up the field by this point in the season, we could have a decent shot at a road win here.

aTm at College Station, probable loss.

Alabama- Definite loss...unless Saban jumps ship..which could be disatrous for Bama, then possible loss.

Arkansas- Traditionally we've gone to jelly in Little Rock, but next season Arky is a team in transition. We will have more overall talent on the field, and if we have done well thus far in the season, we should finally get a win in Arkansas!

Ole Miss-Complete wildcard! One thing is for sure, a win won't come easy anymore! Even at home.


If we pull a 7-5 record out of this schedule, we've improved!

 

[ckDOG]

Yep.

Schedule is tougher with the addition of a quality OOC. I assume Auburn and Ark will be significantly better. 7 wins would be solid. 8 or more would be great. 6 is a bare minimum must have. We can't go out and expect to recruit well while missing out on the post season.