OT: MSU football

[bulldogbaja]

I personally think that this team has the chance to be Mullen's best team yet. Maybe it's a case of the pre-season optimisms, but I will give you three good reasons why this could be so.

1. In my opinion this is the first real quality DC of Mullen's tenure. Somebody who can truly be the defensive coach and let Mullen focus on the offense. For better or worse, I never felt that Dan trusted the other guys enough to do that.

2. When Dan and Tebow were tearing up the league at Florida, it was by making heavy use of the TEs. We haven't had that luxury yet at MSU until potentially this year. Two TE sets are Mullen's game. Look for this to also help our lack of experienced WRs.

3. The Cohen effect. I'm not sure of Dan and Scott's working relationship before, but I have a theory that Stricklin micromanaged, especially things like coaching hires and potentially even recruiting. Call it what you want, but over the last 9 months or so our sports teams have improved almost across the board.

So there you go. Atlanta-bound...

 

[PBRME]

I just don't think the schedule does us any favors. I'm also still not sold on the oline, wide receivers, and defensive backfield. I guess I should've mentioned kickers but that's just assumed.

 

[notoriousD_O_G]

Having Todd Grantham is a big damn deal. This defense is as talented as the 2010 unit and could outperform them with a proven DC like Grantham. The Louisville fans that bitched about his 3rd down defense will be relieved as Peter Sirmon does not get to 3rd down very often.

 

[FQDawg]

Let me counter your optimism with some pessimism

Unless teams like A&M or Auburn implode when they play us, we'll be lucky to make a bowl again... Until we get better on the OL, we're always going to be a 5-7 to 7-5 team each year.

And I don't think Scott micromanaged Dan at all - if anything, I'd guess the opposite... he gave him too much freedom. Curious why you might think that.

 

[coach66]

Speaking of Grantham, I read a story somewhere that his son is making

noise at Starkville High School in the safety position. Supposedly a good player with plenty of speed.

 

[coach66]

I think the key is Fitz, if we get an improved version of him then we can

overachieve and win 7-8, maybe 9 ballgames but the schedule is tough. I think the defense will be better, the OL will be adequate as will the WR's.

 

[the dog is on the loose]

I am actually looking forward to this season. Not expecting nine or ten wins or anything like that but believe we will be much improved. Can't stand to see us get blown out like we did against auburn. We're better than that. Our personnel on the D wasn't the big problem last year it's just that Sirmon was absolute hot garbage. That being said, I believe we will be much improved on D. I still have my doubts on the O-line though as we seem to just keep getting O-line recruits that nobody else wants or a div 1AA school does want which just blows my mind. As usual, kicking game still scares me. I just want so badly to see us smashmouth some teams for a change.

 

[engie]

Look at the depth chart in the trenches and basically all of the key positions...

Next year is the year. One senior on either two-deep up front this season. Grey and Rankin really being the only impact seniors on the squad IMO, considering that Dez Harris will be eligible for a 6th year if he wants it. And Erroll is going to be really good in that spot. Lose Durr and Cleveland but have Dantzler coming on strong and Peters as well. And likely have continuity on the defensive coaching staff for the first time in awhile. At least at the DC spot anyway.

 

[BertleTheTurtle]

Unless teams like A&M or Auburn implode when they play us, we'll be lucky to make a bowl again...QUOTE]

This is just stupid.

 

[tcdog70]

MSU Fans have a tendency to be some negative Mfers. The fact that we have TG as DC is enough to make Me warm and fuzzy. We have dipped into JUCO and acquired some Bpys that will knock your dick in your watch pocket. We have some red-shirt Freshmen that will be make big improvements. We will be at least 50% better on defense. Damn -boys we have a QB that can do it big time and a rb that will advance the ball with aggression. Our TEs are big and fast. Our OL is pretty good if the RT can play a lick. Why not let's go into the 1st game with a glass have full attitude instead of a bunch whiney assed Negative Nellies.

 

[Coast Dawg]

Until we get better on the OL, we're always going to be a 5-7 to 7-5 team each year.

.

While I don't think this will be one of Dan's best records, how does your statement hold water?


DM has averaged 7 regular season wins since he's been here. over the last five years, avg greater than 7 wins in reg season. only twice have had 5 regular season wins (2016 and his very first year)

 

[thatsbaseball]

With an SEC caliber kicking game we win 8 with disaster like last year we win 6.

 

[BertleTheTurtle]

We are legitimately better at every position on the field, with the exception of WR. Losing Ross hurts, but I fully expect a strong rushing attack to help create a little space for our young WRs to work. Everyone seems to be clamoring about our TEs, but I've not seen Mullen properly use our TEs in 8 years so I'm not counting on it until I actually see it. I mean last year we lucked our way into a bowl, and truthfully, it shouldn't have come down to that. We lost a lot of very tight ball games last year, and let's face it, we had some very unlucky breaks. Luck aside, we are going to be fielding a good team this year. The schedule isn't set up for a huge year, but 7-8 wins is my expectation. All non-conference games are winnable, and we get UK and OM at home. Now we're looking to improve our bowl location. A&M doesn't have to "implode" for us to win. Their defense was already trash, and now they lose two of the best pass rushers in the conference. LSU and Ark should be close games. If our defense is truly improved then I can see winning 1 of those games. Engie is right, next year is the year. But I think we'll sneak up on some teams this year. This time last year we had a 3 man race at QB, no one knew anything about our new DC, we had just lost the greatest player in program history, we were hearing our starting RBs were going to be Holloway or Shump, and we were struck by the injury bug in fall camp. Somehow we still won 6 games and beat a top 15 team. So yea, I'm a little more upbeat about going into this season.

 

[MSUDC11]

This is one of the tougher schedules I remember us having under Mullen. Drawing Georgia on the road is a tough break, especially when you consider the East opponents that our last two nine win regular season teams had:

1999: at Vandy, Kentucky, 0-11 SC
2014: Vandy, at Kentucky

I feel like we will be better than Arkansas and A&M, but those are both road games that we could easily lose.

We should feel good about BYU and Kentucky at home, but those were teams that beat us last year so it's not a given. And the Egg Bowl is always hard to predict.

I would be really surprised if this team doesn't win 6 games. But I'm hesistant to expect anything above 7-5 just because of the schedule.

8-4 is very doable though. 9-3 might be as well if we can find a way to beat Georgia or LSU.

 

[maroonmania]

Unless teams like A&M or Auburn implode when they play us, we'll be lucky to make a bowl again... Until we get better on the OL, we're always going to be a 5-7 to 7-5 team each year.

And I don't think Scott micromanaged Dan at all - if anything, I'd guess the opposite... he gave him too much freedom. Curious why you might think that.

The OL will be better than last year for sure. And Dan has proven that he is really a 6-6 to 8-4 coach, we've got nearly a 8+ year track record to show that. If you ignore the first year as a rebuilding year (5-7) then he has had exactly one 10-2 year and one 5-7 year. Every other year has been between 6-8 wins. I'm thinking we should be at 7 to 8 wins this year with improved QB, RB and OL play but likely less consistent WR play with no Ross and no Dear. Not saying our OL play will be that great but definitely better than last year. Also, our FG kicking is a total unknown so we could win or lose a close game or two just based on that. Defense WILL be better because of who is running it plus we have a more experienced unit with an influx of JUCO talent. Grantham has never had a defense of his finish outside the Top 50 in his career at Georgia and Louisville.

 

[BlueRidgeMtns]

Being in the SEC West, our schedule will be tough every friggin year... so at some point we can't use that as a reason for dismay. Yes, we have Georgia on the schedule, but I would rather see us play tougher teams to know where we truly stand.

(Note: I will totally deny the previous statement if we miss the SECCG due to a loss at Georgia)

 

[kired]

I think we'll have a typical Mullen season. 6-8 wins with a few close games that will be the difference. I feel like we're better than 2016 --- but just below 2015. It would be a big surprise if we get 9 wins having to go on the road vs. Georgia, Auburn, A&M and Arkansas.

 

[patdog]

This is what I'm expecting too.

 

[Msubulldogfan1]

Lol @ the "OT" label

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

2. When Dan and Tebow were tearing up the league at Florida, it was by making heavy use of the TEs. We haven't had that luxury yet at MSU until potentially this year. Two TE sets are Mullen's game. Look for this to also help our lack of experienced WRs.

This is something I can totally agree with. Mullen's best offenses have been when he has had some really good TEs to work with or at least big WRs to compliment what TEs he does have.

Good TEs give you extra blockers and if they have good hands, the ability to move the sticks, then pop the occasional big play with quick slot players.

Kinda sounds like the team we have this year.

The only problem is our schedule. This tempers my expectations for an "Atlanta" season.

But... If Fitz is stable and our new DC can help keep us in the game, I do think we have to potential to pull one or two of those big wins we have been looking that elevates our year/bowl.

ETA: I LOLed at the OT for a football post.

 

[FQDawg]

My statement holds water like this:

Should be wins: Charleston Southern, La. Tech, UMass

Should be losses: Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Georgia, Texas A&M, Arkansas

Toss ups: BYU, Kentucky, Ole Miss

So, we've got six losses that are almost guaranteed to go along with three wins that should be guaranteed. That leaves three toss ups. Granted all three are at home, but we lost to two of the three last year and the third is a rivalry game (which you can never predict - see last year). Screw up one of those three toss ups and "we'll be lucky to make a bowl again."

 

[FQDawg]

Those of you predicting 7 or more wins, where do you see them coming from?

I can get three games we'll definitely win and maybe six if we get a lot of breaks.

I can't remotely reach seven, much less eight or nine.

 

[BertleTheTurtle]

You must be a load of fun to watch games with...

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

Why the OT? Isn't MSU Football T?

 

[patdog]

Charleston Southern
LA Tech
UMass
BYU
Kentucky
Mississippi

That's 6 right there. Not too hard to see 1 or 2 more out of LSU, A&M, UGA, Aubie, or Arkansas.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Why the OT? Isn't MSU Football T?

Tongue in cheek because of all the NCAA posts and lack of football posts.

 

[FQDawg]

Actually, I'm great to watch games with because I'm never disappointed. I think we'll win 4 games. If we do better than that, I'm thrilled.

The people who suck to watch games with are the people who think we're going to win 8+ games and then ***** and moan when reality sets in.

 

[Chesusdog]

I have us at 7 with a chance at 8. We have 6 games we should absolutely win and one snowball's chance in hell game against Bama. A&M doesn't scare me. We traditionally don't fare well at UGA but otherwise nothing about that team inspires fear. I think we get at least one from LSU, Auburn, Georgia, A&M, or Arkansas.

 

[BertleTheTurtle]

If you think we need "a lot of breaks" in order to beat BYU, Kentucky, and OM then you aren't keeping up. If we play our tough physical football for 4 quarters, we don't need breaks to beat those teams. We just can't beat ourselves, which I can say for most every game. I'll even go as far as to say that if we play our brand of football and don't beat ourselves, we will be in a position to beat LSU, A&M, and Ark. I think people forget that LSU had 8 players drafted last year, including 5 defensive players who were all 2+ year starters, including probably the best defensive player in the country last year Jamal Adams. On top of that, LSU has a new HC, new OC, new DC, new LB coach, new WR coach, and new RB coach, yet for some reason people think it will take us half a season to pick up defense under our new DC, but LSU replaces all of that and they'll hit the ground running on day 1. Not to mention, it's their first road game of the season in what will be a very hostile environment. I legitimately believe we can beat LSU this year. Hell we shut them down for an entire half last year and lost by 3 in Death Valley, with one of Mullen's worst teams. On top of all that, I think we are better in almost every position group (except WR) than last year. We won't have a 145 lb RB taking 50% of the carries. We won't be replacing Dak Prescott. Most of our starters will have a lot of in-game experience. Our schedule doesn't allow for a huge year, but I'll be extremely disappointed if we aren't a 7-8 win team, and competitive in every game this year.

 

[JackShephard]

I feel like we have a 10-2 team with a 5-7 schedule. So I expect us around the middle.

 

[Dawg1979]

I can get three games we'll definitely win and maybe six if we get a lot of breaks.

.

apparently he is a newbie. we are never guaranteed any wins. see last season......

 

[dickiedawg]

So part-time MSU fan, who's your "main" team?

 

[KurtRambis4]

4 wins...

jeez.

Why not just say 1 or 2, to play it safe?****

 

[shotgunDawg]

Should be wins: Charleston Southern, La. Tech, UMass

Should be losses: Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Georgia, Texas A&M, Arkansas

Toss ups: BYU, Kentucky, Ole Miss

This is silly

Here's the more realistic scenerio

Should be wins: Charleston Southern, La. Tech, UMass, KY, BYU

Should be losses: Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Georgia: Gotta win out of these "should be losses"

Toss ups: Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Arkansas

 

[Dawgzilla]

I've got to see the defense perform before I will be very optimistic about this team. Sure, Todd Grantham is a quality DC....he was also derided while at UGA for, get this, always giving up big plays on 3rd and long. They called it "3rd and Grantham". I also don't recall Louisville's defenses being anything special.

I certainly hope he can turn the defense around, and I hope that Mullen will stay out of his way, but I simply cannot assume that he will turn things around in 1 offseason. The front 7 should be respectable, and he can build from that, but I'm in wait-and-see mode.

I'm probably too optimistic about the offense, given that their late season resurgence came against UK, TAMU, Ark, and UMiss....4 terrible defenses. I like to think that Nicky Fitz will set all kinds of conference records for total offense, but it just remains to be seen how he will perform against teams stacked to stop him from running. Hoping for great things, but expecting a bit of a dropoff numbers-wise from last year.

If I have to make a prediction, then I'll go with 7-5, but they could actually win 9 or 10 games if the defense really does improve.

 

[maroonmania]

Being in the SEC West, our schedule will be tough every friggin year... so at some point we can't use that as a reason for dismay. Yes, we have Georgia on the schedule, but I would rather see us play tougher teams to know where we truly stand.

(Note: I will totally deny the previous statement if we miss the SECCG due to a loss at Georgia)

Mullen's teams have always struggled more in the odd years because of having the AL and LSU games at home. We aren't beating AL regardless and struggle mightily with LSU having not beaten them in Starkville since freakin' 1999 on a 4th and goal play. Now couple that with being sent on the road to GA and it is one our more difficult schedules. That being said we should win all of our non-conference games this year (lost 2 of them last year) and have KY and OM at home. Those games alone would get us to 6 wins. If we split the Ark and TA&M road games that would be 7 or if we somehow won both that would be 8. Winning any of the other 4 (AL, LSU, @GA, @Aub) will be a chore but our best chance to get to 9-3 would be winning the LSU home game. Still thinking 7 wins with a shot at 8 is the most likely scenario.

 

[MeridianDog]

We won't have to wait too many weeks to learn how big our dreams can be.

 

[paindonthurt_]

Wanna bet on O/U at 6?
I'll give you 1.5 to 1 odds we win 7.
6 is a push.
5 or less and you when 1.5 to 1

 

[PineGroveBully]

I think the key to us getting to 8+ wins will be if Fitz can learn to take the underneath stuff when it's given to him. We all know he has good wheels and probably throws a better deep ball than Dak did at his age

 

[josebrown]

Well, I'm all warm n wooly right now. The D has to be drastically improved with Grantham and talent. The offense may look a little different. Nicky Fitz' second year to be in charge, Oline won't be any worse than last year, maybe slightly improved. Dropped passes need to be a thing of the past. I think our TE's will surprise, and we'll get solid play out of the slot. Mixon and Thomas is gonna surprise some you. Gray will be Gray, and maybe better if he has someone complement him. That's what scares me. Will Couch be improved? Will Todd impress? Will Myles not have the dropsies, and will Jackson be serviceable? Biggest thing to me on offense will be at RB. We will have 2-3 SEC RB's to start the season.

i say we win:

Charleston Southern
La. Tech.
LSU
BYU
Kentucky
UMASS
Ole Miss


I say we lose:

Auburn
Alabama( we should go straight up Tecmo Bowl against them on offense, wat the hell?)


I got toss-ups:

Georgia( better than 50-50, slightly)
A&M( 50-50)
Arkansas( better than 50-50,slightly)


I'm gonna predict 9-3. I could easily see us going 3-0 against the toss-ups, just as likely as 1-2.
I really do think we will impress some folks this year, it's gonna come down to outside receiving, kicking game, and secondary play. Blast away...