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It’s June now, which I could’ve told you without consulting a calendar. My Weather Channel iPhone app says it’s currently 90 degrees in Tupelo. Yeah, June. This means we’re well into preseason football mode.
So hey, why not examine the 2009 MSU schedule and make some projections? Here’s the sked, as we journalists call it:
Sept. 5: Jackson State
Sept. 12: at Auburn
Sept. 19: at Vanderbilt
Sept. 26: LSU
Oct. 3: Georgia Tech
Oct. 10: Houston
Oct. 17: at Middle Tennessee St.
Oct. 24: Florida
Oct. 31: at Kentucky
Nov. 14: Alabama
Nov. 21: at Arkansas
Nov. 28: Ole Miss
As you might have read the other day, I’m projecting a 5-7 finish (2-6 in SEC play). I’d consider that a conservative forecast, because Dan Mullen and his offense could have a quick impact. All the really tough games are at home, which you’d think would help, and the non-conference schedule isn’t very scary. I honestly can’t say where I think MSU will pick up the two SEC wins; so many toss-ups there.
So, what’s your best guess?
Sept. 12: at Auburn-L
Sept. 19: at Vanderbilt-W
Sept. 26: LSU-L
Oct. 3: Georgia Tech-L
Oct. 10: Houston-L
Oct. 17: at Middle Tennessee St.-W
Oct. 24: Florida-L
Oct. 31: at Kentucky-W
Nov. 14: Alabama-L
Nov. 21: at Arkansas-L
Nov. 28: Ole Miss-L
4-8 (2-6)
I think the toss-ups will be UK, Arkansas, Houston. MTSU might also be a toss-up.
There are 6 coaches in the SEC with winning records overall. This year we play only 4 of those, myers, miles, saban and nutt.
If we can beat the coaches with losing or no records, and split the non-conf games, that leaves a
6-6 4-4 record.
Anything over this would be gravy.
Of the conference games, Auburn, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky should all be wins.
We catch Auburn early enough that they may still be struggling to put the pieces together. I think they're in worse shape than we were. The only advantage they had over us was a better coach.
Vanderbilt's not the guaranteed win they used to be, but I still think we should have a shot against them. My concern is that Vandy will be out for revenge, since we were the ones who ended their winning streak last year.
Kentucky is Kentucky. They should be a win every time you play them.
I think Florida and Arkansas are high-probability losses. Florida for obvious reasons, and Arkansas because MSU only wins in Fayetteville once every five years and the basketball team just won their a few months ago. We aren't due for another Fayetteville win for a while.
LSU, Alabama, and Ole Miss are all toss-ups. They're all very difficult teams, but we have to get our one good upset this year and I see no reason it can't be any one of these games, especially since they're all at home.
I'm going with 7-5.
Wins:
Jackson State, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Houston, Middle Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama
Losses:
LSU, Georgia Tech, Florida, Arkansas, Ole Miss
Hate to say it, but Ole Miss will be the better team again. I'd rather us beat Alabama, anyway.
1) Russell solidifies the starting spot in August.
2) Berry, Bumphis, Mcrae, Wilder, Robinson, &
Elliot are all 100% in time for two-a-days.
3) Special teams makes the most of it!
Just 95 more days to go! GO DOGS!
Sept. 12: at Auburn-W 17-13 Auburn has major issues and State will catch them before they fix some of them
Sept. 19: at Vanderbilt-L 24-20 Vandy plays smart football and they won't turn the ball over.
Sept. 26: LSU-L 31-21 To much talent for the young Pups despite a valiant effort.
Oct. 3: Georgia Tech-W 27-20 Ga Tech cant exploit our weak corners which cost them this game.
Oct. 10: Houston-W 38-31 Dogs outlast pesky Cougs.
Oct. 17: at Middle Tennessee St. 34-21 To much Talent for MTSU to overcome. Mullen is starting to create an idenity with this team by this point.
Oct. 24: Florida-L 30-20 Despite State's best game of the year the Mighty Tebow's are just too much.
Oct. 31: at Kentucky-W 37-17 Widcats are exposed in this one. To many key players injured or suspended for Kats.
Nov. 14: Alabama-L 17-13 Defense Defense Defense, just to much from the bad guys.
Nov. 21: at Arkansas-L 31-22 State cant stop Mallett and Arky's tall recievers. Weak corners are exposed in this one.
Nov. 28: Ole Miss-W 33-30 OT. Pride Pride Pride. Mullen teaches his kids the meaning!
7-5 Hello Liberty Bowl!
Auburn W 1-1 - Still not quite there yet
Vandy W 2-1 - We pull an upset here
LSU L 2-2 - Still can solve LSU
Georgia Tech L 2-3 - Tech is tough
Houston W 3-3 - Easy NC game
MTSU W 4-3 - Will be tough but should pull this one out on the road
Florida L 4-4 - No chance
Kentucky W 5-4 - Will be tough on the road but we should have won last year and won in 07 at their place
Alabama L 5-5 - Bama will be focused for a west title
Arkansas L 5-6 - This game is the key to our season but these guys will be much improved with Mallet
Ole Miss L 5-7 - GTHOM
Auburn W 2-0
Vandy W 3-0
LSU L 3-1
Georgia Tech L 3-2
Houston W 4-2
MTSU W 5-2
Florida L 5-3
Kentucky W 6-3
Alabama L 6-4
Arkansas L 6-5
Ole Miss L 6-6
I really think that we could steal one or two other games if teams overlook us and the spread offense kicks in pretty quickly.
Auburn W 2-0
Vanderbilt W 3-0
LSU L 3-1
Georgia Tech L 3-2
Houston W 4-2
Middle Tenn St. W 5-2
Florida W 5-3
Kentucky W 6-3
Alabama L 6-4
Arkansas L 6-5
Ole Miss L 6-6
I think that this is a fairly reasonable outcome; however, I really think we could steal another one or two if teams overlook us and the spread offense kicks in pretty quickly. BTW, I really can't stand putting an L beside the Ole Miss game, but for now they do have the better team. I think the future looks bright though.
Auburn W 2-0 Ole Miss W 9-3
Vandy L 2-1
LSU L 2-2
Georgia Tech W 3-2
Houston W 4-2
MTSU W 5-2
Florida L 5-3
Kentucky W 6-3
Alabama W 7-3
This is best case situations, last year we could have won more with a simple kicking game. Alot of teams will overlook State and that's how we can steal wins. However if no-one makes that mistake we end up at 6-6 (2-6 sec). The only way to get the miracle season of 9-3 is if UK,Bama, and the team up north underestimates State. I will also add every win we end up with will be by no more than 7 points. I think we will end up with at least 5 TD's this year from Special teams. Special teams is simply that "special"