ESPN previews SEC West

msubullie4life · Jul 8, 2008

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec

Have us finishing 4th in the west..

4. Mississippi State: Mississippi State's patience with Sylvester Croom was rewarded last season as the Bulldogs won eight games and their first bowl game since 2000. Croom was named the SEC Coach of the Year and just recently pocketed a new contract extension and raise that takes his annual salary to $1.7 million. It's well deserved for a man who walked into a mess at Mississippi State when he arrived in 2004. Croom is adamant that the Bulldogs' best days are ahead of them. For that to happen, they need to add more offensive firepower. Croom has tried to increase the speed on the offensive side to match that of the defense. But outside of 240-pound running back Anthony Dixon, the Bulldogs don't have a surplus of proven offensive weapons. Senior free safety Derek Pegues leads a defense that was opportunistic and rock-solid a year ago. One thing we know about Croom's teams is that they don't quit, nor do they discourage easily. The Bulldogs will win a couple of big games this season. They just won't win enough of them to challenge for the West title.

What does Sylvester Croom do for an encore?

There were a few hiccups coming out of what was a memorable 2007 season for the Bulldogs. First, Croom lost defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson to Arkansas and then to South Carolina. Johnson is one of the best in the business and will be missed. There were also a handful of off-the-field issues with Mississippi State players. The most serious was to starting left tackle Mike Brown, who was arrested along with backup defensive tackle Quinton Wesley in March for firing a handgun on campus. Both players were dismissed from the team, and the loss of Brown could really hurt. He was the Bulldogs' best offensive lineman and a big part of their bruising running game. Still, if Mississippi State is going to stay at that eight-win level this season, quarterback Wesley Carroll needs to take his game to another level. He's capable and had a big spring. Look for offensive coordinator Woody McCorvey to open up the playbook a little bit more for Carroll this season.

snicker!!

msubullie4life · Jul 8, 2008

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec

Have us finishing 4th in the west..

4. Mississippi State: Mississippi State's patience with Sylvester Croom was rewarded last season as the Bulldogs won eight games and their first bowl game since 2000. Croom was named the SEC Coach of the Year and just recently pocketed a new contract extension and raise that takes his annual salary to $1.7 million. It's well deserved for a man who walked into a mess at Mississippi State when he arrived in 2004. Croom is adamant that the Bulldogs' best days are ahead of them. For that to happen, they need to add more offensive firepower. Croom has tried to increase the speed on the offensive side to match that of the defense. But outside of 240-pound running back Anthony Dixon, the Bulldogs don't have a surplus of proven offensive weapons. Senior free safety Derek Pegues leads a defense that was opportunistic and rock-solid a year ago. One thing we know about Croom's teams is that they don't quit, nor do they discourage easily. The Bulldogs will win a couple of big games this season. They just won't win enough of them to challenge for the West title.

What does Sylvester Croom do for an encore?

There were a few hiccups coming out of what was a memorable 2007 season for the Bulldogs. First, Croom lost defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson to Arkansas and then to South Carolina. Johnson is one of the best in the business and will be missed. There were also a handful of off-the-field issues with Mississippi State players. The most serious was to starting left tackle Mike Brown, who was arrested along with backup defensive tackle Quinton Wesley in March for firing a handgun on campus. Both players were dismissed from the team, and the loss of Brown could really hurt. He was the Bulldogs' best offensive lineman and a big part of their bruising running game. Still, if Mississippi State is going to stay at that eight-win level this season, quarterback Wesley Carroll needs to take his game to another level. He's capable and had a big spring. Look for offensive coordinator Woody McCorvey to open up the playbook a little bit more for Carroll this season.

snicker!!

msubullie4life · Jul 8, 2008

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec

Have us finishing 4th in the west..

4. Mississippi State: Mississippi State's patience with Sylvester Croom was rewarded last season as the Bulldogs won eight games and their first bowl game since 2000. Croom was named the SEC Coach of the Year and just recently pocketed a new contract extension and raise that takes his annual salary to $1.7 million. It's well deserved for a man who walked into a mess at Mississippi State when he arrived in 2004. Croom is adamant that the Bulldogs' best days are ahead of them. For that to happen, they need to add more offensive firepower. Croom has tried to increase the speed on the offensive side to match that of the defense. But outside of 240-pound running back Anthony Dixon, the Bulldogs don't have a surplus of proven offensive weapons. Senior free safety Derek Pegues leads a defense that was opportunistic and rock-solid a year ago. One thing we know about Croom's teams is that they don't quit, nor do they discourage easily. The Bulldogs will win a couple of big games this season. They just won't win enough of them to challenge for the West title.

What does Sylvester Croom do for an encore?

There were a few hiccups coming out of what was a memorable 2007 season for the Bulldogs. First, Croom lost defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson to Arkansas and then to South Carolina. Johnson is one of the best in the business and will be missed. There were also a handful of off-the-field issues with Mississippi State players. The most serious was to starting left tackle Mike Brown, who was arrested along with backup defensive tackle Quinton Wesley in March for firing a handgun on campus. Both players were dismissed from the team, and the loss of Brown could really hurt. He was the Bulldogs' best offensive lineman and a big part of their bruising running game. Still, if Mississippi State is going to stay at that eight-win level this season, quarterback Wesley Carroll needs to take his game to another level. He's capable and had a big spring. Look for offensive coordinator Woody McCorvey to open up the playbook a little bit more for Carroll this season.

snicker!!

msubullie4life · Jul 8, 2008

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec

Have us finishing 4th in the west..

4. Mississippi State: Mississippi State's patience with Sylvester Croom was rewarded last season as the Bulldogs won eight games and their first bowl game since 2000. Croom was named the SEC Coach of the Year and just recently pocketed a new contract extension and raise that takes his annual salary to $1.7 million. It's well deserved for a man who walked into a mess at Mississippi State when he arrived in 2004. Croom is adamant that the Bulldogs' best days are ahead of them. For that to happen, they need to add more offensive firepower. Croom has tried to increase the speed on the offensive side to match that of the defense. But outside of 240-pound running back Anthony Dixon, the Bulldogs don't have a surplus of proven offensive weapons. Senior free safety Derek Pegues leads a defense that was opportunistic and rock-solid a year ago. One thing we know about Croom's teams is that they don't quit, nor do they discourage easily. The Bulldogs will win a couple of big games this season. They just won't win enough of them to challenge for the West title.

What does Sylvester Croom do for an encore?

There were a few hiccups coming out of what was a memorable 2007 season for the Bulldogs. First, Croom lost defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson to Arkansas and then to South Carolina. Johnson is one of the best in the business and will be missed. There were also a handful of off-the-field issues with Mississippi State players. The most serious was to starting left tackle Mike Brown, who was arrested along with backup defensive tackle Quinton Wesley in March for firing a handgun on campus. Both players were dismissed from the team, and the loss of Brown could really hurt. He was the Bulldogs' best offensive lineman and a big part of their bruising running game. Still, if Mississippi State is going to stay at that eight-win level this season, quarterback Wesley Carroll needs to take his game to another level. He's capable and had a big spring. Look for offensive coordinator Woody McCorvey to open up the playbook a little bit more for Carroll this season.

snicker!!

msubullie4life · Jul 8, 2008

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec

Have us finishing 4th in the west..

4. Mississippi State: Mississippi State's patience with Sylvester Croom was rewarded last season as the Bulldogs won eight games and their first bowl game since 2000. Croom was named the SEC Coach of the Year and just recently pocketed a new contract extension and raise that takes his annual salary to $1.7 million. It's well deserved for a man who walked into a mess at Mississippi State when he arrived in 2004. Croom is adamant that the Bulldogs' best days are ahead of them. For that to happen, they need to add more offensive firepower. Croom has tried to increase the speed on the offensive side to match that of the defense. But outside of 240-pound running back Anthony Dixon, the Bulldogs don't have a surplus of proven offensive weapons. Senior free safety Derek Pegues leads a defense that was opportunistic and rock-solid a year ago. One thing we know about Croom's teams is that they don't quit, nor do they discourage easily. The Bulldogs will win a couple of big games this season. They just won't win enough of them to challenge for the West title.

What does Sylvester Croom do for an encore?

There were a few hiccups coming out of what was a memorable 2007 season for the Bulldogs. First, Croom lost defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson to Arkansas and then to South Carolina. Johnson is one of the best in the business and will be missed. There were also a handful of off-the-field issues with Mississippi State players. The most serious was to starting left tackle Mike Brown, who was arrested along with backup defensive tackle Quinton Wesley in March for firing a handgun on campus. Both players were dismissed from the team, and the loss of Brown could really hurt. He was the Bulldogs' best offensive lineman and a big part of their bruising running game. Still, if Mississippi State is going to stay at that eight-win level this season, quarterback Wesley Carroll needs to take his game to another level. He's capable and had a big spring. Look for offensive coordinator Woody McCorvey to open up the playbook a little bit more for Carroll this season.

snicker!!

msubullie4life · Jul 8, 2008

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec

Have us finishing 4th in the west..

4. Mississippi State: Mississippi State's patience with Sylvester Croom was rewarded last season as the Bulldogs won eight games and their first bowl game since 2000. Croom was named the SEC Coach of the Year and just recently pocketed a new contract extension and raise that takes his annual salary to $1.7 million. It's well deserved for a man who walked into a mess at Mississippi State when he arrived in 2004. Croom is adamant that the Bulldogs' best days are ahead of them. For that to happen, they need to add more offensive firepower. Croom has tried to increase the speed on the offensive side to match that of the defense. But outside of 240-pound running back Anthony Dixon, the Bulldogs don't have a surplus of proven offensive weapons. Senior free safety Derek Pegues leads a defense that was opportunistic and rock-solid a year ago. One thing we know about Croom's teams is that they don't quit, nor do they discourage easily. The Bulldogs will win a couple of big games this season. They just won't win enough of them to challenge for the West title.

What does Sylvester Croom do for an encore?

There were a few hiccups coming out of what was a memorable 2007 season for the Bulldogs. First, Croom lost defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson to Arkansas and then to South Carolina. Johnson is one of the best in the business and will be missed. There were also a handful of off-the-field issues with Mississippi State players. The most serious was to starting left tackle Mike Brown, who was arrested along with backup defensive tackle Quinton Wesley in March for firing a handgun on campus. Both players were dismissed from the team, and the loss of Brown could really hurt. He was the Bulldogs' best offensive lineman and a big part of their bruising running game. Still, if Mississippi State is going to stay at that eight-win level this season, quarterback Wesley Carroll needs to take his game to another level. He's capable and had a big spring. Look for offensive coordinator Woody McCorvey to open up the playbook a little bit more for Carroll this season.

snicker!!

msubullie4life · Jul 8, 2008

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec

Have us finishing 4th in the west..

4. Mississippi State: Mississippi State's patience with Sylvester Croom was rewarded last season as the Bulldogs won eight games and their first bowl game since 2000. Croom was named the SEC Coach of the Year and just recently pocketed a new contract extension and raise that takes his annual salary to $1.7 million. It's well deserved for a man who walked into a mess at Mississippi State when he arrived in 2004. Croom is adamant that the Bulldogs' best days are ahead of them. For that to happen, they need to add more offensive firepower. Croom has tried to increase the speed on the offensive side to match that of the defense. But outside of 240-pound running back Anthony Dixon, the Bulldogs don't have a surplus of proven offensive weapons. Senior free safety Derek Pegues leads a defense that was opportunistic and rock-solid a year ago. One thing we know about Croom's teams is that they don't quit, nor do they discourage easily. The Bulldogs will win a couple of big games this season. They just won't win enough of them to challenge for the West title.

What does Sylvester Croom do for an encore?

There were a few hiccups coming out of what was a memorable 2007 season for the Bulldogs. First, Croom lost defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson to Arkansas and then to South Carolina. Johnson is one of the best in the business and will be missed. There were also a handful of off-the-field issues with Mississippi State players. The most serious was to starting left tackle Mike Brown, who was arrested along with backup defensive tackle Quinton Wesley in March for firing a handgun on campus. Both players were dismissed from the team, and the loss of Brown could really hurt. He was the Bulldogs' best offensive lineman and a big part of their bruising running game. Still, if Mississippi State is going to stay at that eight-win level this season, quarterback Wesley Carroll needs to take his game to another level. He's capable and had a big spring. Look for offensive coordinator Woody McCorvey to open up the playbook a little bit more for Carroll this season.

snicker!!

Goat Holder · Jul 8, 2008

we won't beat LSU, but maybe they and Auburn will stumble with their schedule and we can sneak by them with 2 SEC losses.

Oh yeah, 17 all of you who call me a sheep. It happens this year, bitches.

WillemWallace · Jul 8, 2008

file:///C:/DOCUME~1/JTWhite/LOCALS~1/Temp/XPgrpwise/48722A88D1PO3100167653911C431/Part.017

Coach34 · Jul 8, 2008

"I still say we have an outside shot to win the mfer.."

We'll be closer to 6th than 1st. LSU, Auburn, Bammer, and Mississippi all have better O-Lines and D-lines than we do. And with our WR's, that gives us no chance

patdog · Jul 8, 2008

Well, right up until the part about Woody opening up the offense. But 4th sounds about right to me. We're simply not as good as LSU or Auburn and I expect Alabama to be improved this year. I think the Egg Bowl will be the battle for 4th and 5th place in the West. I give us a 50-50 shot of winning it.

TR.sixpack · Jul 8, 2008

Also, I imagine Croom would love to open up the offense, but has so little confidence in passing game that he won't take that chance, unless we're a few TD's down (see Ark '07). Now, who's fault is it the passing game sucks? Why Croom and McCorvey's, of course -- poor recruiting and poor developing the QB's.
I hope Carroll develops in spite of Woody and turns into a good QB, giving the coaches no excuse not throw the ball more.

WillemWallace · Jul 8, 2008

as they do 5th.

I don't see any way ARK finishes higher than 6th, outside of a collapse of OM and MSU.

TR.sixpack · Jul 8, 2008

[No message]

Optimus Prime 4 · Jul 8, 2008

though either team winning between 5 and 7 would not surprise me. More or less than that would.

WillemWallace · Jul 8, 2008

<table class="tablehead" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3"> <tbody> <tr class="stathead" align="middle"> <td align="left">Standings</td> <td colspan="3">Conference</td> <td colspan="4">Overall</td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top" align="middle"> <td align="left">SEC - West</td> <td>W-L</td> <td>PF</td> <td>PA</td> <td>W-L</td> <td>PF</td> <td>PA</td> <td>STRK</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top" align="middle"> <td align="left">LSU</td> <td>6-2</td> <td>298</td> <td>215</td> <td>12-2</td> <td>541</td> <td>279</td> <td>W2</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top" align="middle"> <td align="left">Auburn</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>156</td> <td>138</td> <td>9-4</td> <td>315</td> <td>220</td> <td>W2</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top" align="middle"> <td align="left">Arkansas</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>274</td> <td>249</td> <td>8-5</td> <td>485</td> <td>345</td> <td>L1</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top" align="middle"> <td align="left">Mississippi State</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>157</td> <td>215</td> <td>8-5</td> <td>279</td> <td>301</td> <td>W2</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top" align="middle"> <td align="left">Alabama</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>212</td> <td>190</td> <td>7-6</td> <td>352</td> <td>286</td> <td>W1</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top" align="middle"> <td align="left">Mississippi</td> <td>0-8</td> <td>131</td> <td>252</td> <td>3-9</td> <td>241</td> <td>342</td> <td>-</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

patdog · Jul 8, 2008

I had no idea Arkansas's defense was that bad last year.

DowntownDawg · Jul 8, 2008

....Croom deserves to be criticized for not winning at least 8 games, yet, there are 4 teams in our division that are clearly better than we are.

WillemWallace · Jul 8, 2008

What does Arkansas have to do with MSU winning 8 games and still being able to finish 3rd?

Porkchop.sixpack · Jul 8, 2008

We could have a whole discussion about what that phrase means. But, for simplicty sake, I will agree with you. We have an outside chance.

stevo1a · Jul 8, 2008

He is instantly paged and compelled to set the record straight according to his dumbass, sourpuss, MSU hating viewpoint.

Damn, I hope you don't get out of bed tomorrow.

patdog · Jul 8, 2008

That's just the thing that jumped out at me when I saw the standings from last year. But to stay within topic, I don't think MSU will win 8 games or finish 3rd this fall.

fishwater99 · Jul 8, 2008

WOW...

No way we win the WEST...

Put down the crack pipe, we won't sneak by anyone in the West except, Ark & Miss.

I think ESPN got it right.. 4th in the West..

stevo1a · Jul 8, 2008

They did give up 400 yards in the air to Mize State

UpTheMiddlex3Punt · Jul 8, 2008

msubullie4life said:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec

Look Pray for offensive coordinator Woody McCorvey to open up the playbook a little bit more for Carroll this season.

Fixed that for them.

TnDawg76 · Jul 8, 2008

Coach says something.....a little while later his lil brother fishwater comes in and repeats it.

jamdawg96 · Jul 8, 2008

I mean, consider the following:

We beat Auburn on the road last year. NO excuse not to beat them at home. If you want to base everything on their offense from one BOWL game, go ahead, but I'm not sold on Auburn being the team to beat in the West just yet. We're improved, they're improved, the game's in Starkville, Bulldogs win.

Same thing with Alabama. We've owned their offense the last two years and all of a sudden they're a lot better on that side now? Because of who? A freshman wide-out? An offensive line we've had no problem with the last two years? And don't bring up losing Titus. There's still a lot of strength and speed on our D-line. Losing to Bama shouldn't be a given. Yes, it's in T-Town, but we won there two years ago with a weaker team. Basically...it's doable.

If we take care of business in our other games... that puts us at 6-2 in the West. No reason to expect victories in Baton Rouge or Knoxville, although the latter might not be much harder than the game at Bama...

And as for the contenders:

Assuming Auburn loses to us, it wouldn't be out of the question to say they lose to either LSU, Georgia, or Tennessee at home. For argument's sake, let's say they only lose a late season game to a championship-caliber Georgia Bulldog team (who crushed the Tigers last year), putting them at 6-2 as well.

LSU on the other hand has 3 games they outta lose (at Auburn, vs. Georgia, at Florida), which could land the Tigers at 5-3, but even if they just lose the road games, which I think will be the case, that still puts them at 6-2 and in a three-way tie with Auburn and...

Mississippi State. However, this particular hypothetical tie would take the very last option to be broken (by BCS Standings) and something tells me that we'd fall short in that regard. So I guess we should just hope for tying with Auburn, or winning the god damn thing out right (now that was a joke).

So... a share of the West is not likely, and I'm not saying it's going to happen, but it's certainly not absurd to suggest. We have the easiest schedule in the SEC by far. IF we win all our home games, and beat the same teams we beat last year, it can be done.

FQDawg · Jul 8, 2008

We beat Auburn on the road last year. NO excuse not to beat them at home

That's just crazy logic. Last year was a great (and unexpected) win, but don't think lightening in a bottle happens two years in a row.

I'm not saying we have NO chance at beating them, but I think they are a better team than us and to act like a win should be a given is laughable.

jamdawg96 · Jul 8, 2008

...so don't put words in my mouth. I just said we have no excuses. We were the better team last year. They didn't match-up well with us. Why should they this year? Crazy logic? Laughable? And yet you reply with no insight, except for "lightening in a bottle".

That makes me chuckle.

lanceharbor7 · Jul 8, 2008

Bama has no LB's, no DB's, 1 frosh receiver, and a choke job of a qb. I don't see any improvement for Bama...not until Nick Saban gets a few more of his 33 person recruting classes in and they find a new dealer for their blow. They are picked higher simply because Saban is the coach.

Goat Holder · Jul 8, 2008

and that's enough for me. Big step from saying that there's no chance we can't beat the big boys like we did up until last year's Auburn game.

RebelBruiser · Jul 8, 2008

I agree with you. This is a year MSU has an outside shot to sneak up and possibly win the West. For one, the schedule. You're the only team in the entire SEC that doesn't have to play Florida and Georgia. Those two teams should be the best in the league. LSU, many people's favorite for the West has to play both UF and UGA. That's a definite tilt in MSU's favor.

Also, you have a lot of experience returning, which should give you a decent shot.

However, I'm in no way predicting it will happen, just that it's actually an idea that's not completely ridiculous to consider. For it to happen though, you'll have to find some offense. I just don't see your defense being able to carry you to enough victories to win the West. Maybe Carroll will bring that and maybe Dixon will become a playmaking back, but I still think you're lacking in overall playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, which is going to be the biggest obstacle.

My honest opinion is that you'll finish either 6-6 or 7-5, but your schedule gives you the opportunity to make a run. However, you'd have to have a season where you win all the close ones, which makes it a longshot.

jamdawg96 · Jul 8, 2008

to add to the schedule bit, all eight of our SEC opponents will play us before and/or after meeting(s) with Auburn, LSU, Florida, and Georgia. Not that it means they'll be looking ahead or worn down from an emotional week before, but it's an interesting bit of information.

We're the only team in the SEC who can say that.

FQDawg · Jul 8, 2008

We weren't the "better" team last year. Yes, we happen to have won the game, but that doesn't necessarily make us the better team. Better teams lose games all the time - it's why the term "upset" was coined.

We were fortunate to win that game for a number of reasons - not the least of which was that they had QB issues at the time and we were lucky enough to cash in on some turnovers. That is lightning in a bottle and it's unrealistic to think all of those things will happen again.

Time will tell, but I don't put the Auburn game anywhere near the list of games we have a decent chance of winning. I don't get into summer predictions all that much, but I see us losing that game by at least 10 points.

Shmuley · Jul 8, 2008

Clemson to open
at UT
at UGA
at Ark
<div style="text-align: left;"> at LSU

I think they're looking at 7-5.
</div>

Goat Holder · Jul 8, 2008

I hate you **** that say we won because of turnovers, we weren't better, etc. Take your **** elsewhere. We were the better team because we scored more points, you know, the object of the game. Last time I checked, the good teams are the ones that won the most games.

Yeah, we just "upset" Auburn, Kentucky and Alabama in the same year. Give me a 17-ing break. We got better because we had a QB that didn't make stupid decisions.

Goat Holder · Jul 8, 2008

and I have guarded optimism that our defense can repeat last years accomplishments. I mean, ****, they forced turnovers almost every game. It wasn't by accident that we did it at the right times.

Afro Dawg · Jul 8, 2008

They had a 5th year senior starter who would go on to beat Florida in the Swamp two weeks later. They had QB issues against us because our defense played lights out all day long. Also, it's always convenient how it's mentioned that we scored one of our touchdowns off a turnover when Auburn did the same damn thing. If Pegues doesn't fumble on the kickoff, they wouldn't have scored their second TD.

Stansfield · Jul 8, 2008

"We weren't the "better" team last year. Yes, we happen to have won the game, but that doesn't necessarily make us the better team. Better teams lose games all the time - it's why the term "upset" was coined."

Will someone explain to me what the better team is if it isn't the team that won??? That has gotta be one of the worst statements I have ever read on here.

bulldogbaja · Jul 8, 2008

I'm not sure you understand this phrase...
Anyway, I think we beat Auburn and Auburn beats LSU, we go to Atlanta.

OK, it's more of a strong hope. There are too many questions about our offense. I think probably Auburn beats us.

ESPN previews SEC West

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