Well, it was a less-than-stellar performance by the visiting Bulldogs last Saturday that resulted in the lopsided 29-7 score against LSU. If only the Dogs had taken to heart what I said in my last blog about taking care of the football... but alas, it wasn't meant to be.
No matter. It's a new week and time for a new foe... and of course, a new theme song!
Killing Time - Hed (P.E.)
I keep my eyes on the stars,
That's where I come from.
Belt of Orion.
Son of a sun God.
You know my name, I'm the conqueror...
The Lion-King,
Kamehameha, come.
Twenty-twelve, come 12 tribes, come 12 strands, come 12 lives.
12 steps, 12 months, 12 muthafuckers...
All make bail, kicked 'cause of the crowded jails.
Sex and violence sells...
12 serial killers, 12 dead without a trail or trace,
It's prime time, the fight night, pay-per-view, suicide,
The Bee-Sting-Butterfly!
So... is MSU just killing time? This weekend will tell the tale...the Bulldogs face a Georgia team that began the season ranked in the top 25 before putting together a 1-2(0-2) record. Georgia and Mississippi State have played eerily similar opponents thus far in the season, with Georgia losing at South Carolina, and again at home in a heartbreaker against Arkansas. Meanwhile Mississippi State first lost at home in a close game to Auburn before going on the road to Tiger Stadium where they all but handed the game to LSU.
This match-up is one that both fan bases are viewing as a "must win" game, and no one knows that better than the coaches and players.
KEYS TO THE GAME -
OFFENSE - It's not Christmas yet, so for Christ's sake STOP GIVING THE BALL AWAY! Chris Relf and Tyler Russell combined to throw SEVEN interceptions in last week's game. I couldn't find any record of a collegiate football team winning a game after giving up 7 turnovers... but I did find this. Guess that last one was just a bit too much, huh?
DEFENSE - The MSU defense looked great in the second half against Auburn, and carried much of that momentum forward to the first half of their match-up with LSU, holding the tigers to 4 field goals and no TD's in the first half. However they could not keep up the pressure in the second half, whether it was due to effort, mistakes or coaching. The defense will catch a break with prospective-NFL receiver AJ Green being suspended for this weekend's game, though.
QUARTERBACKS - Will Chris Relf finally emerge as a true starting quarterback? Will Russell usurp Relf and take the helm? Will EITHER of them manage not to throw any INT's? Why do I sound like the end of an episode of Soap? The 2 QB system has it's advantages, and they will likely be easier to see this weekend than in the past three games. Still, it's up to the QB's to get the ball in the hands of the right guys at the right times.
BOTTOM LINE - Who wants it the most? That's who's going to win this weekend. Obviously taking care of the ball is key, so if the Bulldogs are plagued by turnovers again this weekend look for some drastic changes on the offensive side of the ball. But both Georgia and MSU badly need this win to make their way towards the post-season.
WILD AND WOOLLY PREDICTION -
MSU 21 GA 14
REALISTIC PREDICTION -
MSU 14 GA 21
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Shake it off...
Well, despite all the opportunities our beloved Bulldogs snatched defeat from the jaws of victory last Thursday, losing to Auburn 17-14. Ignoring the 10 points AU scored from our two costly turnovers on offense, the WR's dropped about 6 passes in the 2nd half (a half which also saw our defense blank the Tigers), 1-2 of which could've broken for big-time plays and potential scores. Also there was a near interception on defense that could've resulted in a pick-6, but alas it was not to be.
But that's ok, it's a new week, and a new foe, so it's time to shake it off...
THEME SONG THIS WEEK -
The Donnas - Take It Off
Go on and take it off
(echo) Take it off!
You gotta shake it off baby, for me
C'mon and break me off
(echo) Break me off!
'Cause I get what I want and I like what I see!
This week the Bulldogs face another set of Tigers... The Bayou Bengals. Going on the road in the SEC is never easy, and winning at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge has proven to be a tough task for the Bulldogs in the last decade. Through the first two games of the season LSU's defensive front is putting up solid numbers. There are some questions at the QB position, though, which could prove beneficial for MSU.
KEYS TO THE GAME -
DEFENSE - MSU's defense held Auburn scoreless in the second half of last Thursday's game. The defense will need to build on that success and maintain their momentum, as they face another dual-threat QB in Jordan Jefferson. Although Jefferson is not as "dyn-o-mite" as Cam Newton, he can run the ball. The Bulldogs will have to shut down the running game to try and force LSU to beat them through the air. If that happens, we have a shot.
OFFENSE - The MSU offense gave up two turnovers last week and Auburn monopolized on those opportunities big time. The offense must protect the ball and execute plays. The microscope will be focused on the WR's until they show they can make the catches they need to make. In order to open up the passing game I think you will see MSU try to run the ball a bit more this week, likely at the edges with some option plays before they try to send Ballard or Perkins up the middle. If they can move the chains with the running game the world is their proverbial oyster.
TURNOVERS - Turnovers have been a hallmark of MSU football in the last decade, but not the good kind like you like. For the Bulldogs to win they have GOT to protect the ball. They will likely need the help of a pick-6 to come out on top, though, so forcing turnovers is a must.
BOTTOM LINE - For the Bulldogs to get what they want and like what they see, they have to come out ahead in the turnover margin.
WILD AND WOOLLY PREDICTION -
MSU 24 - LSU 21
REALISTIC PREDICTION -
MSU 17 - LSU 27
I sure hope I'm a Woolly Bully come Saturday night...
But that's ok, it's a new week, and a new foe, so it's time to shake it off...
THEME SONG THIS WEEK -
The Donnas - Take It Off
Go on and take it off
(echo) Take it off!
You gotta shake it off baby, for me
C'mon and break me off
(echo) Break me off!
'Cause I get what I want and I like what I see!
This week the Bulldogs face another set of Tigers... The Bayou Bengals. Going on the road in the SEC is never easy, and winning at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge has proven to be a tough task for the Bulldogs in the last decade. Through the first two games of the season LSU's defensive front is putting up solid numbers. There are some questions at the QB position, though, which could prove beneficial for MSU.
KEYS TO THE GAME -
DEFENSE - MSU's defense held Auburn scoreless in the second half of last Thursday's game. The defense will need to build on that success and maintain their momentum, as they face another dual-threat QB in Jordan Jefferson. Although Jefferson is not as "dyn-o-mite" as Cam Newton, he can run the ball. The Bulldogs will have to shut down the running game to try and force LSU to beat them through the air. If that happens, we have a shot.
OFFENSE - The MSU offense gave up two turnovers last week and Auburn monopolized on those opportunities big time. The offense must protect the ball and execute plays. The microscope will be focused on the WR's until they show they can make the catches they need to make. In order to open up the passing game I think you will see MSU try to run the ball a bit more this week, likely at the edges with some option plays before they try to send Ballard or Perkins up the middle. If they can move the chains with the running game the world is their proverbial oyster.
TURNOVERS - Turnovers have been a hallmark of MSU football in the last decade, but not the good kind like you like. For the Bulldogs to win they have GOT to protect the ball. They will likely need the help of a pick-6 to come out on top, though, so forcing turnovers is a must.
BOTTOM LINE - For the Bulldogs to get what they want and like what they see, they have to come out ahead in the turnover margin.
WILD AND WOOLLY PREDICTION -
MSU 24 - LSU 21
REALISTIC PREDICTION -
MSU 17 - LSU 27
I sure hope I'm a Woolly Bully come Saturday night...
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Go time...
To borrow a phrase from the greatest show that never got a third season, Frisky Dingo, it's "Go time, mother-humpers!"
Tonight MSU faces Auburn in a truly pivotal game for both teams' seasons. A win for Auburn tonight sets the War Eagles/Tigers/Plainsmen/whatevertheHELLtheyarethisweek (snip-snap!) on the road to an Iron Bowl showdown with Alabama which will likely determine the SEC West participant for the SEC Championship game in Atlanta. A loss for Auburn and they are effectively out of the running unless they manage to run the table in the west, which is never an easy task.
On the other side of the coin, a win for MSU would lend some credence to the already mounting evidence that Dan Mullen and his Bulldogs are on the rise and are now a legitimate threat in the SEC. A loss doesn't end the season, but it leaves a lot of work left to be done if the Bulldogs are to make a bowl appearance this postseason.
There are a lot of subplots in this match-up, but none more compelling than the man under center for Auburn. Cam Newton, the new star QB, once studied under MSU head coach Dan Mullen while both were at Florida. Newton was all but sold on playing for MSU and Mullen until he suddenly changed his commitment to Auburn at the last minute. Comments made by Newton's father would lead Joe Fan to believe his son was too good to play for lowly MSU...
AND I QUOTE:
“He was leaning toward Starkville.,” Cecil Newton said to the Montgomery Advertiser. “He had that relationship with Dan Mullen and there was a comfort level there. I didn’t think that was the right place for Cam. They just don’t have all the moving parts. Cam was going to have to be the star. He’d have to do everything himself. I didn’t want him to be a rented mule.”
End quote.
The rented mule bit is too easy, so we won't go there. Suffice to say there will be no love lost between MSU's fans and Auburn's QB, but when hasn't that been the case? Dan Mullen did quite a job of game-planning for another QB he mentored last season, and although the Bulldogs fell to Florida, I expect to see more of this tonight.
After suffering through the last decade as an MSU fan, it's difficult for me to view tonight's game objectively. I'm trying to remain realistic, but in truth I want Auburn to feel like Felicity "Fat-tits" Finnegan when we get done with them this Thursday night ("Aw, so close to the weekend, that is rough...").
But in the end, my fandom wins out every time. I believe both teams have quality athletes on both sides of the ball. I'm not completely sold on Gene Chizik as a coach, although he looks a hell of a lot better than the Lane Kiffins of the world. One thing I do know, though... that Dan Mullen's crafty.
Hooch out!
Tonight MSU faces Auburn in a truly pivotal game for both teams' seasons. A win for Auburn tonight sets the War Eagles/Tigers/Plainsmen/whatevertheHELLtheyarethisweek (snip-snap!) on the road to an Iron Bowl showdown with Alabama which will likely determine the SEC West participant for the SEC Championship game in Atlanta. A loss for Auburn and they are effectively out of the running unless they manage to run the table in the west, which is never an easy task.
On the other side of the coin, a win for MSU would lend some credence to the already mounting evidence that Dan Mullen and his Bulldogs are on the rise and are now a legitimate threat in the SEC. A loss doesn't end the season, but it leaves a lot of work left to be done if the Bulldogs are to make a bowl appearance this postseason.
There are a lot of subplots in this match-up, but none more compelling than the man under center for Auburn. Cam Newton, the new star QB, once studied under MSU head coach Dan Mullen while both were at Florida. Newton was all but sold on playing for MSU and Mullen until he suddenly changed his commitment to Auburn at the last minute. Comments made by Newton's father would lead Joe Fan to believe his son was too good to play for lowly MSU...
AND I QUOTE:
“He was leaning toward Starkville.,” Cecil Newton said to the Montgomery Advertiser. “He had that relationship with Dan Mullen and there was a comfort level there. I didn’t think that was the right place for Cam. They just don’t have all the moving parts. Cam was going to have to be the star. He’d have to do everything himself. I didn’t want him to be a rented mule.”
End quote.
The rented mule bit is too easy, so we won't go there. Suffice to say there will be no love lost between MSU's fans and Auburn's QB, but when hasn't that been the case? Dan Mullen did quite a job of game-planning for another QB he mentored last season, and although the Bulldogs fell to Florida, I expect to see more of this tonight.
After suffering through the last decade as an MSU fan, it's difficult for me to view tonight's game objectively. I'm trying to remain realistic, but in truth I want Auburn to feel like Felicity "Fat-tits" Finnegan when we get done with them this Thursday night ("Aw, so close to the weekend, that is rough...").
But in the end, my fandom wins out every time. I believe both teams have quality athletes on both sides of the ball. I'm not completely sold on Gene Chizik as a coach, although he looks a hell of a lot better than the Lane Kiffins of the world. One thing I do know, though... that Dan Mullen's crafty.
Hooch out!
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