MSU v SC

Show Me What I'm Lookin For - Carolina Liar

Save me, I'm lost,
Oh Lord I've been waiting for you.
I'll pay any cost,
To save me from being confused.
Wait, I'm wrong,
I can't do better than this.
I'll pay any cost,
Save me from being confused.

Show me what I'm looking for...
Show me what I'm looking for...
Show me what I'm looking for...
Show me what I'm looking for...
Oh Lord.

Just a S.E.C. -

Have a seat right over here...

Bama v OM - Nick Saban does his best Chris Hansen impression as the Crimson Machine keeps on rolling in what will surely be a rout.  Victor: Bama


UGA v Vandy - The 'Dores give the Dogs more than they expect, but not more than they can handle. Victor: UGA

LSU v Tenn - Neyland Stadium looks like a bad orange on Saturday, with the classic Tennessee colors fading into a purple and gold bruise in the stands as the Tiger fans take over in Tennessee. Victor: LSU

Fla v Auburn - It's the Battle of the Embattled QB's on the Plains this weekend, not to be confused with the Battle of the Backup QB's in Starkville.  Both teams sit at 4-2, but after Saturday Florida will be moving on and up. Victor: Florida



STOP THE PRESSES!!!

Spurrier kicks Garcia off team, Morris out of room, and a puppy for good measure?!?!
(ok, so we made one of those up...)

NCAA clears Auburn/Newtons of any wrong-doing... NCAA also finds that fire is cold, ice is hot, and dudes don't like hot chicks...

Courtesy of LSUFreek, greatest Farker the world has ever known...

Week in Review -

Insert "That Guy" joke of your choice here...

Who should start? That's the question on every Bulldog's lips (and the poll question, look up at the top-right corner) this week as we head into a game with South Carolina.  Chris Relf took the first half against UAB last weekend and produced little offensively.  Tyler Russell was given the second half and the Dawgs offense came alive.  So who will get the start? You can cast your vote, but Dan Mullen isn't telling...

Truth is, there are good reasons to start both.  The offense obviously began to 'click' with Tyler at the helm, but SC's defense is one of the best in the nation at defending both the pass and the run.  Tyler looked solid against UAB, but the SEC is a whole different level.  Chris gives the Dawgs a legitimate run threat, but if he can't connect on passes there will not be much opening up for the run game.  What to do...

My guess?  I think Dan will start Tyler, but if there isn't much production from the offense with Russell behind the wheel then look for Relf to be under center by the 2nd quarter.  But if SC jumps out to a big lead we will be forced to take to the air, and I just don't see Relf taking many snaps in that scenario the way he's been passing, so that would lend itself to Tyler lining up at QB.  It will be interesting, that's for sure...


Keys to the Game -
Both schools have a QB controversy of sorts, with the aforementioned  Relf/Russell combo for MSU being up in the air, while SC's QB situation seems to have resolved itself earlier this week when Stephen Garcia was shown the door after his FIFTH violation... (what happened to three strikes and you're out?)  Both schools are dealing with on-going or recently concluded QB drama, so I would call this a wash as far as the benefits to the opponents go.

MSU's defense has quietly improved as the season has progressed, but can they put it all together on game day against the Gamecocks?  Meanwhile SC's defense is one of the best in the nation, and not what you want to see if you're wearing maroon and white on Saturday...

Offense -

South Carolina's defense is strong against the pass, and pretty good against the run, too.  They also force their fair share of turnovers.  Protecting the ball (no fumbles/int's) is a must.  I would expect Dan and Les Koening to try some bubble screens and option plays with Relf under center, and go to high percentage, short passes and hand-offs when Tyler is in the game.  The offensive line will be a little better if they can avoid any further injuries, which will hopefully give the Bulldog's QB (WHOEVER it is...) time to make a pass, but in order to do so both Relf and Russell must be a step quicker than they were last week.  They will not be afforded as much time Saturday as they were at UAB.


Defense -
The Bulldog's defense has kept them in most of the games this season, whether or not the offense did their part.  I'm still not a big fan of the 7-10 yard cushion that opposing receivers seem to be getting, but it does lend itself to that "bend but don't break" style of defensive play, and that's exactly what they've done.

For the record, this is the only cushioning I can approve... 

Remember this defense held #1 LSU to 2 first half field goals and only allowed a touchdown in the 4th quarter.  They line up against the likes of Vick Ballard and LaDarius Perkins every week in practice, so I feel confident they can handle Marcus Lattimore.  I expect either Banks or Broomfield to have a pick-6 this week, and if we can get that and minimize turnovers it could be the difference in this game.

Bottom Line -

You gonna eat that? -Renardo Sidney

Turnovers.  And not the delicious, fruit/cream filled kind... If the Bulldogs want to win they must come out on the winning side of the turnover margin, and find a spark on offense.  The defense should be able to hold SC to 2 TD's and a field goal or two.  The offense will have to make the most of their opportunities if they want to walk away with the W this weekend...



Final Score -

Wild and Woolly -
MSU 35 SC 24

Realistic - 
MSU 17 SC 27

MSU v UAB

From the Ritz to the Rubble - Arctic Monkeys

Pretty self-explanatory title there... and a damn good song, mind you.


Just a S.E.C. -
UK v SC - South Carolina and Steve Spurrier will tap Conner Shaw as their starting QB this time around, attempting to regroup after losing to Auburn last week.  Whoever lines up at QB, this should be a bounce-back game for the Gamecocks.  Victory goes to: SC.

Vandy v Bama - The Tide continues rolling, knocking off Florida in convincing fashion last weekend.  Nary a stumble to be found in this contest, either, from the looks of it... at least for Alabama.  Victory goes to: Bama.

GA v Tenn - Georgia sports losses to Boise State and South Carolina.  Tennessee's lone loss is to Florida.  In a contest of the Eastern also-rans, this will be a better game than you might expect.  Playing in Neyland Stadium gives the Vols the edge.  Victory goes to: Tenn.

The Truffle-Shuffle is so last millennium...

Auburn v Ark - Arkansas barely escaped new-kid-on-the-block-to-be Texas A&M last weekend with a dramatic come from behind victory... and at least one Hawg fan was pretty psyched about that.  Auburn lost a few weeks ago to Clemson but has rebounded, posting a big win over highly ranked South Carolina most recently.  Home field advantage will have the Hogs rolling on, undefeated. Victory goes to: Ark.

Fla v LSU - Florida faces undefeated LSU and a rough double dose of SEC West powerhouses.  Having lost to Bama last weekend, the Gators must travel to Baton Rouge to face a scary LSU team.  Florida will limp away from this one licking their wounds. Victory goes to: LSU.


Week In Review - Last week MSU lost to Eastern division foe Georgia, in what was essentially an un-funny comedy of errors.  Costly turnovers and lack of execution at every position over the course of the game led to the maroon-clad Bulldogs getting in a hole early, thereby forcing MSU to attempt to take to the air, something that has not gone well in recent weeks.  Carmon bouncing around to different spots didn't help solidify anything on the offensive line, either.

Pay no attention to the man behind the hedges!

Also, Nickoe Whitley peed on the hedges (allegedly).  Frankly, I find this a non-issue.  I personally like to 'commune with nature' when I have the opportunity, and I'm sure he was only thinking of the fans when he decided to exhibit a bit of modesty and hide his 'exposure' in the bushes, lest some old blue-hair have a coronary.

Keys to the Game - This week MSU faces a UAB team that they narrowly avoided losing to at home last year.  With the injuries the Bulldogs are saddled with, it's important to get the young guys experience, quickly.  If Dan Mullen can find a permanent spot for Carmon and let him anchor the line, we should see some progress from the O-line, and by extension, the offense.

MSU Recievers: "They look like big, strong hands..."

Offense - Chris Relf and his wide receivers need to have a 'come to Jesus' meeting, like yesterday.  It's 50/50 on bad passes and missed catches...  Then there's the O-line which has been riddled with injuries.  This game will be a great opportunity for the offense to get back on the right track, but it will not be a cakewalk.  UAB played MSU frighteningly close in Starkville last season, and they have something to prove coming into the game 0-4.


Defense - MSU's defense did pretty much all you could ask of them the past few weeks.  Keep in mind, MSU played the defending national champions on the road, and #1 team in the nation at home in back to back weeks.  Their performance has been lacking at times, but they've performed close to expectations for most realistic fans.  The problem for the Dawgs has been the offense and their lack of execution.  For all the heat Chris Wilson has taken (and I've thrown some around myself) they are doing enough to keep MSU in these games.


Final Score -

Wild and Woolly Prediction -
MSU 35 UAB 7

Realistic Prediction -
MSU 27 UAB 17