Game 2 of a 12 game regular season is not a "must win", but it is obviously one of the biggest, if not the biggest, since Dan has been here. That being said, what if we win Saturday but lose to A&M and UT? Would you rather be looking at that scenario OR, lose to AU and beat A&M and UT? Obviously the latter, so no, this is not a "must win".
This is Mullen's No Excuse Must Win
- Thread starter Maroonlegacy
- Start date
I agree mostly. If he doesn't pull this one off its on the coaching staff - or the refs. We definitely have the better players this year.
"Tired of mediocrity"?
We've been mediocre for what, TWO years now? Heck, I've been a State fan since around 1979, and I CRAVE State football mediocrity.
We've been way less than mediocre for a long time. For the older fans, they've/I've seen a lot of bad seasons, and it seemed like we were perpetually 3-8 until Sherrill. Even for the younger fans, we still have only had one winning season from 2000.
Eventually, yeah, we can expect more than 6-8 wins and just going bowling. But we've only been to 15-16 bowls in our entire history, and only 3 in the last 11 years. At least for now, 9-4 and even 7-6 looks pretty damn good.
We've been mediocre for what, TWO years now? Heck, I've been a State fan since around 1979, and I CRAVE State football mediocrity.
We've been way less than mediocre for a long time. For the older fans, they've/I've seen a lot of bad seasons, and it seemed like we were perpetually 3-8 until Sherrill. Even for the younger fans, we still have only had one winning season from 2000.
Eventually, yeah, we can expect more than 6-8 wins and just going bowling. But we've only been to 15-16 bowls in our entire history, and only 3 in the last 11 years. At least for now, 9-4 and even 7-6 looks pretty damn good.
First of all, Mullen is good. Damn good. Regardless of what happens in this one game, Mullen's job isn't in jeopardy. I don't care how many times the Rebel mouthpieces try to suggest otherwise.
Now, this IS a MUST win game in the sense, we need this win to get the press off our back and keep the excitement going in the fan base and recruiting. State wins this game.....no more 17ing "....only beaten Ole Miss in the West." If I have heard that once, I have heard it a thousand teams. Now, the talk coming out is Auburn has won 10 of last 11. State has lost 12 SEC openers in a row. If you want to be keep the excitement going with the fans, recruits, and so on......these streaks have to end.
Sure, we could come back and beat UT, aTm, and OM to have a good season. But how much more exciting would the game vs UT be if we are undefeated and ranked? Therefore it is a must win to gain favor in the media and keep the excitement surrounding the program going.
Now, this IS a MUST win game in the sense, we need this win to get the press off our back and keep the excitement going in the fan base and recruiting. State wins this game.....no more 17ing "....only beaten Ole Miss in the West." If I have heard that once, I have heard it a thousand teams. Now, the talk coming out is Auburn has won 10 of last 11. State has lost 12 SEC openers in a row. If you want to be keep the excitement going with the fans, recruits, and so on......these streaks have to end.
Sure, we could come back and beat UT, aTm, and OM to have a good season. But how much more exciting would the game vs UT be if we are undefeated and ranked? Therefore it is a must win to gain favor in the media and keep the excitement surrounding the program going.
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I would just like to point out that we could easily lose this game and still go 8-4, just like in 2010 when everyone insisted that the Auburn game was the absolute key to the whole season.
True, but unlikely. Win this one, and we are 7-0 heading to Tuscaloosa. At 7-0 anything can happen.
Who thinks Auburn is a better football team than Mississippi State right now? If so, please explain why? This is the time, and this is the game, to turn the corner. Everybody thought last year was the year. It wasn't. That was premature. If its going to happen under Mullen, it starts Saturday. The schedule will never be this favorable. Ole Miss is terrible. Auburn is average or below. UK is terrible. UTk looks like they might be tough, but they still aren't the Tennessee of old. If we are ever going to win 10 games, or make a run at the West (not win, just make a run), it has to happen this year. Beating an average Auburn team in Starkville is the first step down that path.
I agree with a lot of your post. I'm just not convinced Mullen is damn good. He hasn't proven he is damn good imo. If you think he has, I would like to hear why? Better than Croom does not equal damn good. Is he the best we can do? That's a different question and very debatable. If he loses Saturday, and we go on to another 7-6 year, with a possible bowl win, then no, I don't think he's damn good. And yes, I think we could do better. Like I said, I have my doubts. Nothing would tickle me more than watching State beat Auburn by 3 tds, and everybody in this thread to come back and say that I was the dumbest SOB that ever walked the planet.
The arrogance in this response is so 17ing thick. I, for one, don't enjoy your visits to our board. Isn't there an Alabama board or three where you can go? I already have to live among you 17faces, must I also endure your presence on my alma mater's board as well? In short, go 17 yourself.
That's ********. They knew what they had or they wouldn't have paid $180K for him. Both Auburn and Newton got what they wanted from that deal.
THIS
Football to me is almost like being a fan of a mid-tier Premier League team. You have to come to expect reality, and the reality is that NOBODY in the SEC will ever be a consistent 10-11 win team. It's a coach's job to field a competitive team capable of catching that lightning which Dan Mullen has absolutely done. With the parity such as it is in our conference the only thing you really can do is keep up with the Jones's and not fall behind or you become Crxxm or the current Bears. With Mullen's players and preparation, we are capable of having that special season in the very near future. We now can make our own luck and if certain things work out 10 wins is possible this season. Our foundation has been laid these last 4 years where it wouldn't shock me at all to go into a Bama or LSU and manage a win. The point is that in the past it was 0% and now a lightning strike isn't out of the question
I think you were missing what I was saying. Yes, they knew they had a special player in Cam. It wasn't until after the AU game that Malz figured out how to effectively utilize Cam's talents. If AU had played us in game 9 instead of game 2, they would have beaten us by 20. That's the truth.
There are no excuses not to win this game...2-0 would obviously be a big confidence boost for the team. I just hope they don't fall flat like last year, they never looked the same after that last play. Good guys 24 tigahs 17
Welcome to Mississippi State where 7 wins fans are content
Most fans will accept seven wins, play in the Birmingham bowl against East Popcorn State and be happy.
Their idea of a winning season is 6-6.
But that's the MSU way
Most fans will accept seven wins, play in the Birmingham bowl against East Popcorn State and be happy.
Their idea of a winning season is 6-6.
But that's the MSU way
OOOOOOOOO... wake me up when winning the Gator Bowl means something. Last year, both teams that played in it were 6-6
It came along 3 of the last 4 years and we blew it 3 times at the very end of the game.