Am I missing something? I want to feel confident but heck, we lost a stud LT, a three yr starter at center and three starting linebackers, along with a very good DE. I don't want to end up feeling like the oxford bear fans of 09. Can you guys tell me who is going to fill those voids and why there is so much confidence going forward? I have faith in our staff but the long suffering State fan in me is a little concerned.
Why is there so much confidence about this season?
- Thread starter smellmyfinger
- Start date
Am I missing something? I want to feel confident but heck, we lost a stud LT, a three yr starter at center and three starting linebackers, along with a very good DE. I don't want to end up feeling like the oxford bear fans of 09. Can you guys tell me who is going to fill those voids and why there is so much confidence going forward? I have faith in our staff but the long suffering State fan in me is a little concerned.
Believe in Dan. Last year was great but his first year was amazing too when you consider with a little luck we could have won seven games against a difficult schedule. We are more talented and better organized overall than his first year and the out of conference schedule is easier so why not expect seven wins and hope for eight or nine. Also don't forget our secret weapon, BILLBOARDS********
This team will be very competitive, and Mullen has shown that we will always be prepared. However, looking at our schedule, I have a hard time finding more than 7 or maybe 8 wins. I think that some expecting 9 or 10 wins are in for a disappointment. I hope for big things, but I maintain that I will always be happy if MSU can just make a bowl 8 out of 10 years.
First off, to be fair, only 2 of the linebackers we lost played more than half of the time. We either had 3 safeties in there or the pretty boy (who is returning) over half of the time. One LB spot is being filled by a 3 year starter from Clemson. So that only leaves one LB spot to be overly concerned with and I like what I saw from Hughes last year.
At Defensive end, what did Pernell really do last year? He had some TFL's, but did he even have a sack? With our style of defense, the sacks are going to come from the LB's anyway. I have faith in Boyd and Cox doing even a better job of stufing the run than they did last year; which they will need to, because Pernell was a great run stopping end.
LT - big hole, big loss; but as others have said, it will hurt us less because we are not a traditonal drop back passing team. Having a weaker left tackle could also open up some screen opportunities on that side as well.
We have Green back which will open up the middle of the field which we didn't do a good job of attacking last year. Plus he is a pretty damn good H-back in terms of running as well.
EVERYBODY else returns and should be at least marginally better than they were last year.
All that being said, as a lifelong State fan, I have some concern about the over-confidence as well. I still haven't learned to not expect the other shoe to drop.
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At Defensive end, what did Pernell really do last year? He had some TFL's, but did he even have a sack? With our style of defense, the sacks are going to come from the LB's anyway. I have faith in Boyd and Cox doing even a better job of stufing the run than they did last year; which they will need to, because Pernell was a great run stopping end.
LT - big hole, big loss; but as others have said, it will hurt us less because we are not a traditonal drop back passing team. Having a weaker left tackle could also open up some screen opportunities on that side as well.
We have Green back which will open up the middle of the field which we didn't do a good job of attacking last year. Plus he is a pretty damn good H-back in terms of running as well.
EVERYBODY else returns and should be at least marginally better than they were last year.
All that being said, as a lifelong State fan, I have some concern about the over-confidence as well. I still haven't learned to not expect the other shoe to drop.
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-Dan Mullen hasn't lost a single game in which State was favored. Under Sherrill and Croom, there were always games where you went, "How in the world did we lose to THEM?" (LA-Monroe, Troy, Maine, Tulane, etc.). Mullen's teams are always mentally and physically prepared for every game.smellmyfinger said:
<div>-Mullen took a horrid weakness (offense) and turned it into a strength. MSU took an offensive line that allowed 13 sacks in the 2008 Egg Bowl, and through strength training and coaching, totally humiliated one of the traditional football programs in the nation (Michigan- true, they weren't the Michigan of old, but it was amazing that we hung 52 on them).</div><div>
</div><div>-Chris Relf went from being someone who could barely handle a snap, and couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, and turned him into a very good quarterback.</div><div>
</div><div>-Because Mullen has recruited some very good linemen. Despite TFUN's alleged "dominance" in recruiting (Jacksonville State was VERRRRRRY impressed), The Mississippi State University has gotten some excellent Linemen on both sides of the ball. Just think how many yards Jerious Norwood would've run for if he had this year's line blocking for him?</div><div>
</div><div>-We're replacing Chris White with Brandon Maye. It may be a dropoff, but not as bad of one as many were fearing. I know that losing CJ Johnson hurts, but Maye should fill the gap until the 2012 recruiting season, when Ole Miss goes 0-12 and considers moving to the Sun Belt, or the Gulf South Conference and CJ becomes their DD Lewis, an all-American LB on a 1 and 2-win team. To me, losing Leon Mackey to Texas Tech was a bigger blow.</div><div>
</div><div>-We're not imploding like Ole Miss.</div>
We'll still be able to run the ball next year with either Carmon or Clausell. I bet they both play a good bit at LT and the backup 3rd Tackle. They are both freaking huge that helps. Bringing in Maye should shore up the MLB spot and hopefully Sean Fergusen steps up at DE this year. The secondary will be legit SEC talent across the board or better with Slay coming in.
All the skill positions on Offense though are going to be stacked, like we haven't seen in years. I hope Nick Griffin comes back 100% he'll be a huge help toward the end of the season.</p>
All the skill positions on Offense though are going to be stacked, like we haven't seen in years. I hope Nick Griffin comes back 100% he'll be a huge help toward the end of the season.</p>
And Mullen has so far shown that he will beat the teams MSU is better than. That's enough reason to be optimistic.Mutt the Hoople said:
It's very possible that we only have 6-7 wins on the schedule (LSU, Bama, Ark., and USCe will likely all be favored, and @Aub and @UGA will not be easy). However, just like last year, there is athin line betweengoing to a bowl, and going to a great bowl.The difference between a 6 win team and an 8 win team is finding serviceable replacements at LT and DE. The difference between 6 wins and 9 wins is that and a couple of breaks against either LSU, Ark, or USCe.
The Indians have forgiven us.
1. New leadership at every level
2. Great support
3. Great off season program
4. Experienced QB and skill positions
5. Great coaching
6. Good schedule with a upset possibilities at home
As far as the "holes to fill", everybody always has holes to fill.Compared to everybody besides LSU and Bama, our holes are much smaller this year.
1. New leadership at every level
2. Great support
3. Great off season program
4. Experienced QB and skill positions
5. Great coaching
6. Good schedule with a upset possibilities at home
As far as the "holes to fill", everybody always has holes to fill.Compared to everybody besides LSU and Bama, our holes are much smaller this year.
I generally agree with what you are saying, but McPhee was an anchor for us on the end. He might not have had a great year rushing the passer, but he was awesome against the run and helped keep blockers off KJ and White. We will miss him.
We could be really susceptible to off tackle plays this year. Especially if that wideout is going to be starting at one end position.</p>
Granted, it's high risk/high return. Our road games this year are all winnable. In order of "likely win" to "having a chance", we play:
Memphis
UAB
UK
Auburn
UGA
Arkansas
I think we have a great shot at winning Memphis, UAB, and UK and a fair shot at the other 3. Winning 4 of these games is realistic.
Our home schedule sets us up for pulling off an upset. I think we can pull off one upset out of LSU, USC, and Bama.
That leaves us with LA Tech, Martin, and Ole Miss. There's a long time between now and the Ole Miss game, but I'm calling all three of these wins as of today.
That's 4 road wins + 3 wins at home against inferior opponents + 1 home upset = 8 wins.
That being said - 7 wins this year is acceptable. 8 should be the expectation. Anything more is gravy.
The problem is that if we do end up struggling, the schedule works against us. If we have a weak team, I'd much rather have LSU/USC/Bama on the road and UK/Auburn/Arkansas at home.
Memphis
UAB
UK
Auburn
UGA
Arkansas
I think we have a great shot at winning Memphis, UAB, and UK and a fair shot at the other 3. Winning 4 of these games is realistic.
Our home schedule sets us up for pulling off an upset. I think we can pull off one upset out of LSU, USC, and Bama.
That leaves us with LA Tech, Martin, and Ole Miss. There's a long time between now and the Ole Miss game, but I'm calling all three of these wins as of today.
That's 4 road wins + 3 wins at home against inferior opponents + 1 home upset = 8 wins.
That being said - 7 wins this year is acceptable. 8 should be the expectation. Anything more is gravy.
The problem is that if we do end up struggling, the schedule works against us. If we have a weak team, I'd much rather have LSU/USC/Bama on the road and UK/Auburn/Arkansas at home.
I'll also add thisseason and next could be two of the most important ones in the history of Our State. We must showthatwe're more than a One Trick Pony to our older fans and show the younger ones (not burdened with scarswe older ones carry) that State is able to reload and not miss a beat. A tall order we've never really be able to fill with any consistency. But then again we've never had the leadership in place to make it happen. I think we do now.
when you look at the schedule and who we have returning I think the very bottom of the barrel is 5-7 .UAB, Memphis,UT-Martin, LA Tech are all definites and there is no way we dont win at least one conference game between Kentucky and Ole Miss.
I think 6-6 or 7-5 is likely with 8-4 probably our ceiling .I will not , however, be as optimistic next year. The 2012-2013 team will have a tough time getting bowl eligible IMO.
I think 6-6 or 7-5 is likely with 8-4 probably our ceiling .I will not , however, be as optimistic next year. The 2012-2013 team will have a tough time getting bowl eligible IMO.
I know the game is at auburn. But you think we have holes to fill? They lost cam (the best college football player of at least the last 10 years) and fairly. They lose 4 of 5 starting offensive linemen and something like 22 seniors total, so that's 24 players including fairly and cam. Thats a lot of holes. I think we get them this year.
...after Mullen's first 2 seasons ended, this board was so convinced Mullen is such a universally sought after hot commodity, we had to suffer through shitloads of rumors, freak-outs & lies about how Mullen is about to bolt any minute for greener pastures.
Yet heading into Mullen's 3rd season, the team is so depleted of talent, & the schedule is so hard, & now we have such a target on our backs, Dan Mullen is a bust & we'll be relieved when this crappy season ends so Mullen can bolt to Notre Dame & we can finally work on getting a real football coach.
It reminds me of how this board can simultaneously embrace the opinion this is going to be a great basketball season coming up, yet Stansbury & Sidney need to go now because they are monumental 17ups who are about to usher in the worst basketball season in almost 15 years.
Yet heading into Mullen's 3rd season, the team is so depleted of talent, & the schedule is so hard, & now we have such a target on our backs, Dan Mullen is a bust & we'll be relieved when this crappy season ends so Mullen can bolt to Notre Dame & we can finally work on getting a real football coach.
It reminds me of how this board can simultaneously embrace the opinion this is going to be a great basketball season coming up, yet Stansbury & Sidney need to go now because they are monumental 17ups who are about to usher in the worst basketball season in almost 15 years.
<div>That seems to be the conventional wisdom on here.</div><div>
</div>We all agree we were the better team last year(it's admittedly close though), right? I don't know how much they lost, but it can't be much less than us. I would think they'd be favored in Columbia, but we'll be favored at home. <div>
</div><div>ETA: I looked to see if this game was one of sportsbook's "Games of the Year." It is, and we're +1, so I was wrong.</div>
</div>We all agree we were the better team last year(it's admittedly close though), right? I don't know how much they lost, but it can't be much less than us. I would think they'd be favored in Columbia, but we'll be favored at home. <div>
</div><div>ETA: I looked to see if this game was one of sportsbook's "Games of the Year." It is, and we're +1, so I was wrong.</div>
Everyone sucking Mullen's dick the last 6 months, and now winning 6 or 7 sounds about right? If we don't win 8 games I am disappointed. Call me delusional or whatever but we should win 8 games no doubt. We have 2 upper-echelon SEC offensive backs returning for the first time in what? 10 years? My biggest concern is if Wilson/Collins can be half as good as Diaz. 8 wins or bust.
You played Ark much better but they thumped No. 1 Alabama and beat the tar out of UF down in Gainesville. They have an experienced qb, best rb in the sec, best wr in the sec, and outstanding lines. Interestingly, their qb coach, the guy who is mentoring Garcia, was arrested Tuesday night on Main Street in Greenville, SC (Clemson country) piss drunk taking a whiz on Main Street. (At least he didn't pass out in a Subway.)
I'm assuming losing Cam for Auburn, Peterson from LSU, most of Bama's impact starters, etc. will have no impact on other teams in the conference.
Given our complete talent level isn't where LSU, Bama, Florida and a couple more teams, but we are one of the few with an experienced and improving QB. I would expect at least 8 wins from this group of players and do not see any game on the schedule that we cannot win. If we improve only half as much in year 3, as we did from years 1 to 2, then why wouldnt every MSU fan not expect to win 8 games? We will be favored in 8 of the 12 games and probably will be close to pick em ineach of the remaining games. I expect this offense to averagemore than 30pts a game if everyone stays healthy. Defense wont really change either.
And no Beating South Carolina wouldnt be an upset, considering most analysts say we would be favorite to win East if we were in that division.</p>
Given our complete talent level isn't where LSU, Bama, Florida and a couple more teams, but we are one of the few with an experienced and improving QB. I would expect at least 8 wins from this group of players and do not see any game on the schedule that we cannot win. If we improve only half as much in year 3, as we did from years 1 to 2, then why wouldnt every MSU fan not expect to win 8 games? We will be favored in 8 of the 12 games and probably will be close to pick em ineach of the remaining games. I expect this offense to averagemore than 30pts a game if everyone stays healthy. Defense wont really change either.
And no Beating South Carolina wouldnt be an upset, considering most analysts say we would be favorite to win East if we were in that division.</p>
Our seasons as a whole were very comparable, but we closed a lot stronger and finished ranked higher in both polls. So considering how little turnover we've had, I think we should be more highly regarded coming into this season. The bookmakers obviously disagree with me though.
My only question is why is everyone so up Manny Diaz @$^. He was only a Co-Defensive Coordinator. I know for a fact he wasn't always the one calling the plays. He just signaled them in. Everybody realized this until he played his air guitar on ESPN and then everybody thought he was a legend. Chris Wilson was just as much responsible for that defense than Manny. Oh yea guess who Manny wanted to come to Texas with him. Chris Wilson because Chris is an excellent defensive minded coach.