Jackson Free Press

Where there was once darkness, there is now light. Where there was gloom, there is joy. Where there was despair, there is hope. But that's enough about Karl Rove, we're here to talk about college football.

Hope is the operative word entering the 2007 college football season in Mississippi. Every state team has a chance to be successful. You couldn't say that this time last year. Will every team have a winning season? Of course not. There will be coaching blunders. There will be injuries. There will be players who don't turn out to be as good as expected. And there will be errors that will make fans want to injure coaches.

Mississippi State has hope because Coach Sylvester Croom believes he finally has enough talent to compete in the SEC. Ole Miss has hope because Ed Orgeron appears to have pulled in another great recruiting class. Ditto for Jackson State and Coach Rick Comegy. Southern Miss is so good that Coach Jeff Bower almost cracked a smile when he heard that the Golden Eagles were picked to win C-USA.

Then there are some fans who are hoping that their team will lose this year so that their head coach will be fired. Then the team can go hire a new, and hopefully better, coach. There's a chance that some of those fans will get what they're hoping for. But Doctor S hopes not.

Here are Doctor S' SWAGs (Sophisticated Wild-Ass Guesses) for the 2007 season.

Mississippi State

Coach: Sylvester Croom (fourth season, 9-25)
Stadium: Davis-Wade Stadium, Starkville
2006: 3-9 (1-7 SEC)
Radio: 105.9 FM

Coach Sylvester Croom promises that Mississippi State fans' patience will be rewarded in 2007. "Building a program takes time," Croom told the (Biloxi) Sun Herald. "… I'm fortunate to be at Mississippi State because the people who hired me understood that this is the way that I was going to do it."

Yeah, but did they know it was going to take so darn long, Sly? The key to State's season is (again) keeping quarterback Michael Henig healthy. Luckily for him, the offensive line is experienced. The nine returning starters on offense include tailback Anthony Dixon (668 yards, nine touchdowns) wide receiver Tony Burks and tight end Eric Butler.

The Bulldogs will need all the points they can get because the defense has just five starters returning including All-SEC defensive tackle Titus Bown.

Key game: LSU, Aug. 30. State can set the tone by keeping the game respectable and avoiding major injuries.

Outlook: Rising. "In the past three years we had to play the absolute perfect game, and the other team had to play their absolute worst game … for us to have a chance to win," Croom told The Associated Press. "We've got SEC talent out there on the field right now at every position, and this is the first time I've been able to say that." And for the first time in a long time, MSU will win six games.

Schedule: Aug. 30, LSU; Sept. 8, at Tulane; Sept. 15, at Auburn; Sept. 22, Gardner-Webb; Sept. 29, at South Carolina; Oct. 6, UAB; Oct. 13, Tennessee; Oct. 20, at West Virginia; Oct. 27, at Kentucky; Nov. 10, at Alabama; Nov. 17, Arkansas at Little Rock; Nov. 23, Ole Miss.

Ole Miss

Coach: Ed Orgeron (third season, 7-16)
Stadium: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford
2006: 4-8 (2-6 SEC)
Radio: 97.3 FM

It's almost Sept. 1. Do you know who your starting quarterback is, Ed Orgeron? The answer is, "maybe," but he's not telling. Is Orgeron just trying to light a fire under the talented but inconsistent Brett Schaeffer? Or does he think the Rebels are good enough to win with a caretaker like former walk-on Seth Adams under center? Orgeron knows he has a stud in running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis and a talented offensive line to pave the way.

The defense also has some questions, such as will Eddie Strong and Jerrell Powe be eligible?

"We all know that our goal is to go to the Sugar Bowl and win it," Orgeron told The Associated Press. "We all feel this year's step forward is to have a winning season and go to a bowl game and win that."

Orgeron knows this, too: Anything less than a winning season will probably mean the end of his days in Oxford.

Key game: Florida, Sept. 22. The Rebels will learn how far they've come when the defending national champs come to Oxford.

Outlook: Schizophrenic. The Rebels have stockpiled talent, but is it enough? Ole Miss played a lot of close games last season, but losing close games is what gets coaches fired. "I feel like we're becoming a championship team," defensive tackle Peria Jerry said to the Associated Press. " … We've just got to go out and do it on Saturdays." The Rebels won't get it done on Saturdays in 2007.

Schedule: Sept. 1, at Memphis; Sept. 8, Missouri; Sept. 15, at Vanderbilt; Sept. 22, Florida; Sept. 29, at Georgia; Oct. 6, Louisiana Tech; Oct. 13, Alabama; Oct. 20, Arkansas; Oct. 27, at Auburn; Nov. 3, Northwestern (La.) State; Nov. 17, LSU; Nov. 23, at Mississippi State.

Southern Miss

Coach: Jeff Bower (17th season, 112-77-1)
Stadium: M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg
2006: 9-5 (6-2 C-USA; won C-USA East, lost to Houston in C-USA title game; defeated Ohio in GMAC Bowl)
Radio: 1180 AM/103.3 FM

Jeff Bower has created a monster at Southern Miss, even if few people in this SEC-mad state know or care. He has led USM to 13 consecutive winning seasons, nine bowls in 10 years and four C-USA titles. This year's team might be Bower's best yet. The Golden Eagles return 15 starters from the 2006 C-USA East champion team, including nine from the league's top defense. Quarterback Jeremy Young (1,769 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2006) and tailback Damion Fletcher (1,338 yards and 11 touchdowns) are also back. However, USM is inexperienced on the line and at receiver.

Giddy USM fans are talking about the Eagles earning a spot in the Top 25 or even a BCS bowl berth.

Whoa, says Bower, telling The Associated Press: "You like that experience. But then again, let's not have the mind-set that we have all the guys back and we're the best team on defense. It doesn't work that way."

Key game: Tennessee, Sept. 8. If the Eagles pull an upset at Rocky Top, USM could get serious BCS consideration.

Outlook: Thrilling. USM faces a brutal September with games at Tennessee, East Carolina and Boise State. If the Eagles win all three, they will be in the BCS mix. That won't happen. But USM—inevitably clad in those ugly-ass all-black uniforms—will reign supreme in C-USA.

Schedule: Sept. 1, Tennessee-Martin; Sept. 8, at Tennessee; Sept. 15, at East Carolina; Sept. 27, at Boise State; Oct. 3, Rice; Oct. 13, SMU; Oct. 21, at Marshall; Oct. 28, Central Florida; Nov. 3, at UAB; Nov. 10, Memphis; Nov. 17, at UTEP; Nov. 24, Arkansas State.

Jackson State

Coach: Rick Comegy (second season, 6-5)
Stadium: Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson
2006: 6-5 (5-4 SWAC)
Radio: 1300 AM/105.9 FM

Coach Rick Comegy restored some of the roar at Jackson State in 2006, leading JSU to its first winning season since 2002. But the Tigers faltered badly down the stretch, losing four of their last five games and finishing one win short of the SWAC Championship. Tiger Nation won't truly be satisfied until JSU goes back to the title game for the first time since 1999 and brings home its first conference crown since 1996. (And as long as Comegy does that every year, JSU fans won't grumble too much.)

The Tigers have 17 returning starters. Quarterback Jimmy Oliver—who led JSU in passing (1,906 yards, 14 touchdowns, 12 interceptions) and rushing (673 yards, five TDs) last year—will be key this season. Also returning are running back Erik Haw and tight end Marcel Frost. All-SWAC lineman Corey Clark anchors the defense.

Key game: Tennessee State, Sept. 8. TSU is picked to be one of the top teams in the Ohio Valley Conference. If the Tigers win this one, look out SWAC.

Outlook: Golden. "I do think we gained some respect last year with the way we played and competed," Comegy told The Associated Press. "But it's obvious the other teams in this conference aren't going to roll over and let us just take it from them. It's got to be earned." No worries, coach, the Tigers will earn their 16th SWAC title.

Schedule: Sept. 1, Delta State; Sept. 8, Tennessee State at Memphis; Sept. 13, Texas Southern; Sept. 22, at Mississippi Valley State; Oct. 6, Alabama State; Oct. 13, at Southern; Oct. 20, Grambling; Oct. 27, Arkansas-Pine Bluff; Nov. 3, at Alabama A&M; Nov. 10, at Prairie View A&M; Nov. 17 Alcorn State.

Belhaven

Coach: Don Lee (third season, 12-10)
Stadium: Newell Field, Jackson
2006: 7-4 (5-4 MSC)
Radio: 930 AM

Outlook: Optimistic. And why not? After losing their first five games in 2006, the Blazers won six straight for their first winning season since 1999. The Blazers, who have 16 starters returning, were picked to finish third in the MSC West Division behind Bethel and Shorter. "We have been able to pick up right where we left off in the spring," said Coach Don Lee in a campus interview. To go to the NAIA playoffs, they need to start winning games in September.

Schedule: Sept. 1, Concordia; Sept. 8, at Southern Nazarene; Sept. 15, Texas College; Sept. 22, Bethel; Sept. 29, Pikesville; Oct. 6, at Cumberlands; Oct. 13, at Virginia-Wise; Oct. 20, Shorter; Oct. 27, at Lambuth; Nov. 3, Campbellsville; Nov. 10, at Cumberland.

Millsaps

Coach: Mike Dubose (second season, 7-4)
Stadium: Harper Davis Stadium, Jackson
2006: 7-4 (6-0 SCAC; won SCAC title; lost in first round of NCAA III playoffs)

Outlook: Champions again. The Majors had a big turnaround in 2006, losing their first three and then winning seven straight to claim the SCAC title and make the NCAA III playoffs. Coach Mike Dubose has 17 starters returning, 10 on defense. The Majors are led by linebacker Shawn Gillenwater (team-high 87 tackles) and quarterback Juan Joseph (2,495 yards and 24 touchdowns passing). A second straight SCAC title appears to be in the cards.

Schedule: Aug. 30, at Mississippi College; Sept. 8, at Louisiana College; Sept. 15, at Austin; Sept. 22, Rhodes; Sept. 29, at DePauw; Oct. 6, Center; Oct. 13, Sewanee; Oct. 27, Trinity; Nov. 3, Colorado College; Nov. 10, Birmingham Southern.

Mississippi College

Coach: Norman Joseph (third season, 7-13)
Stadium: Robinson-Hale Stadium, Clinton
2006: 5-5 (3-5 ASC)
Radio: 1590 AM

Outlook: Improving. The Choctaws are optimistic coming off their first non-losing season since 2001. The Choctaws have 16 starters returning, including sophomore quarterback Adam Shaffer. After a record-setting season in '05, Shaffer threw for 311 yards and five touchdowns in the first half of the '06 season opener, only to suffer a knee injury and be lost for the season. MC has come a long way in Joseph's two seasons. The Choctaws appear ready to challenge for an ASC title.

Schedule: Aug. 30, Millsaps; Sept. 15, Texas Lutheran; Sept. 22, at McMurry; Sept. 29, Hardin-Simmons; Oct. 6, Louisiana College; Oct. 13, at LaGrange; Oct. 20, Mary Hardin-Baylor; Oct. 27, at East Texas Baptist; Nov. 3, Howard Payne; Nov. 10, Sul Ross State.

Alcorn State

Coach: Johnny Thomas (10th season, 46-53)
Stadium: Jack Spinks Stadium, Lorman
2006: 6-5 (5-4 SWAC)
Radio: 90.1 FM

Outlook: Hazy. Alcorn finished one victory short of reaching the SWAC Championship game. "This team has a lot to prove," Coach Johnny Thomas told The Associated Press. The first month of the season, which includes a trip to Division I-A, is a potential season killer. Alcorn has had six straight winning seasons, but still hasn't had the breakout season they long for. Even with 16 starters returning, it won't happen this year, either.

Schedule: Sept. 1, Grambling; Sept. 8, Arkansas-Pine Bluff; Sept. 15, at UAB; Sept. 22, at Alabama State; Oct. 6, Prairie View; Oct. 13, at Texas Southern; Oct. 20, at Southern; Nov. 3, Mississippi Valley State; Nov. 10, Alabama A&M; Nov. 17, at Jackson State

Mississippi Valley State

Coach: Willie Totten (sixth season, 23-23)
Stadium: Rice-Totten Stadium, Itta Bena
2006: 6-5 (5-4 SWAC)

Outlook: Declining. The Delta Devils had a trip to the SWAC Championship in their grasp last season, only to let it slip away at Alabama State. The team has 16 starters returning, but lost quarterback Aries Nelson, who accounted for more than half of Valley's total offense last season. "This is probably the best team I've had..." Coach Willie Totten told The Associated Press. It won't be enough, coach.

Schedule: Sept. 1, Arkansas-Pine Bluff; Sept. 8, Southern at Chicago; Sept. 15, at Alabama A&M; Sept. 22, Jackson State; Oct. 6, at Grambling; Oct. 13, North Dakota State; Oct. 20, Texas Southern; Nov. 3, at Alcorn State; Nov. 10, at Alabama State; Nov. 17, at Savannah State.

Delta State

Coach: Ron Roberts (first season)
Stadium: Travis E. Parker Field, Cleveland
2006: 12-3 (7-1 GSC; lost in NCAA II semifinals)
Radio: 930 AM

Outlook: Uncertain. The Statesmen have 17 starters returning, including linebacker Michael Eubanks, the 2006 GSC defensive player of the year. But DSU has a new coach, Ron Roberts, who must find a replacement for quarterback Scott Eyster. The schedule is full of pitfalls, starting with the opener at Jackson State. Even worse, the Statesmen have to play the GSC's top teams, Valdosta State and North Alabama, on the road in back-to-back weeks. The Statesmen will be good, but not good enough.

Schedule: Sept. 1, at Jackson State; Sept. 15, Henderson State; Sept. 22, at Ouachita Baptist; Sept. 27, at Southern Arkansas; Oct. 6, at Arkansas Tech; Oct. 11, at Valdosta State; Oct. 18, at North Alabama; Oct. 27, West Georgia; Nov. 3, at West Alabama; Nov. 10, at Arkansas-Monticello.

Previous Comments

ID

81884

Comment

Best. Jackson. Free. Press. Cover. Ever!

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-08-22T18:20:00-06:00

ID

81885

Comment

I wondered how long it would take the Eagle to soar. This one's for you, Golden. And Stephen Barnette, who was advising Darren on the exact shade of "golden" for the cover. ;-) You owe us.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-08-22T18:22:44-06:00

ID

81886

Comment

Thanks for thinking of me. ;) Give it a few days and there will not be a copy of the JFP to be found.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-08-22T18:40:23-06:00

ID

81887

Comment

But that’s enough about Karl Rove, we’re here to talk about college football. ROTFL!

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-08-22T19:33:36-06:00

ID

81888

Comment

Best. Jackson. Free. Press. Cover. Ever! -------------------------------------------------------------- Couldn't have said it better myself! USM alum, season ticket holder, and 11-1 USM season predictor checking in :o.

Author

imajeep

Date

2007-08-23T08:06:48-06:00

ID

81889

Comment

So, I take it Eagle fans think they will only loose to Tenn.? UAB - potential top 25. Boise State won a BCS bowl game. East Carolina another potential top 25 sleeper. Memphis still has a formidable team. Good luck.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-08-23T08:17:42-06:00

ID

81890

Comment

Pikersam: So, I take it Eagle fans think they will only loose to Tenn.? UAB - potential top 25. Boise State won a BCS bowl game. East Carolina another potential top 25 sleeper. Memphis still has a formidable team. Good luck. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee is the only game we 'should lose.' Boise State lost everyone they had. UAB and ECU are always games you don't want to forget about, but it's going to take A LOT for them to beat us. And Memphis? What? They don't play anything resembling football.

Author

imajeep

Date

2007-08-23T08:22:13-06:00

ID

81891

Comment

USM shouldn't sleep on Boise State. That teams seems to reload every year. USM also has a tendency to look awful against pass-happy teams. Against Tennessee, I see us losing that one, too. I do think, however, that at least ten wins is very likely this year.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-08-23T08:33:11-06:00

ID

81892

Comment

golden eagle: USM shouldn't sleep on Boise State. That teams seems to reload every year. USM also has a tendency to look awful against pass-happy teams. Against Tennessee, I see us losing that one, too. I do think, however, that at least ten wins is very likely this year. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oh, no doubt. I'm not saying Boise is a sure win by any means. And you're right about passing teams dogging us - I still remember a few years ago when our secondary got absolutely EXPOSED by Cincinnati. THAT was embarrassing.

Author

imajeep

Date

2007-08-23T08:39:48-06:00

ID

81893

Comment

Go J STATE, 11-0

Author

NewJackson

Date

2007-08-23T11:14:44-06:00

ID

81894

Comment

As much as I would love for JSU to be 11-0, I don't think it will happen this year. I do think, however, that they will compete for the SWAC and was one game away last year from being in the title game. But a warning to Alcorn and Pine Bluff (my cousin went there): You had your fun the last few years, now the party's over!! And Tennessee State, we haven't forgotten you either.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-08-23T13:00:17-06:00

ID

81895

Comment

Pikersam -- UAB is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a possible top 25 team. They're down to 65 scholarship players, have few returning starters from a bad team, and even their coach has said something to the effect that they'll have to "keep expectations reasonable" this year. I wish they were a top 25 team. It would be great for CUSA. But they're not even close. I will second the motion: Best JFP cover ever, by far. I have it hanging on my office door.

Author

laughter

Date

2007-08-23T19:25:24-06:00

ID

81896

Comment

USM has the 99th toughest schedule in the nation, tied with Univ. Central Florida and Texas-El Paso.* Ole Miss has the 3rd toughest schedule in the nation, tied with Kentucky and (puke) Mississippi State.* Do the math. If USM was in the SEC, you can rest assured that coach Jeff Bower would have been gone a long time ago and our dear friend Golden Eagle would be rooting for the Belhaven Blazers to beat the Millsaps Majors this year. haha It's easy to win when you play a pansy schedule. *ding ding* It's on! [img]http://getsmile.com/smiley/champions/smiley2.gif[/img] *Source: Schedule Rankings

Author

LambdaRisen

Date

2007-08-25T18:28:44-06:00

ID

81897

Comment

It's easy to win when you play a pansy schedule. Excuses, exschmuses. LSU has the second toughest schedule, yet they're expected to at least win the SEC, if not be in the national title game. Yet the team with the easiest schedule, Eastern Michigan, is one of the worst teams in college football and were 1-11 last year. The schedule each team plays doesn't guarantee wins or losses, so don't blame USM for the failures of Ole Miss and MSU not getting it done.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-08-25T21:46:28-06:00

ID

81898

Comment

Belhaven Coach: Don Lee (third season, 12-10) Stadium: Newell Field, Jackson 2006: 7-4 (5-4 MSC) Radio: 930 AM Outlook: Optimistic. And why not? After losing their first five games in 2006, the Blazers won six straight for their first winning season since 1999. How were they 7-4 if they lost 5 and won 6?

Author

LambdaRisen

Date

2007-08-26T16:05:48-06:00

ID

81899

Comment

so don't blame USM for the failures of Ole Miss and MSU not getting it done. I wasn't blaming USM for failures of Ole Miss. I was saying that USM would be a failure if they didn't have such a pansy schedule. [img]http://www.smileyarena.net/Library/packs/yahoo/default/loser.gif[/img]

Author

LambdaRisen

Date

2007-08-26T16:10:15-06:00

ID

81900

Comment

And how do you know USM would be a failure? Would State or Ole Miss be a better team with a softer schedule? I cited Eastern Michigan with having the easiest schedule, but have been an awful team year after year. Your argument doesn't hold a lot of water.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-08-26T18:32:28-06:00

ID

81901

Comment

Seeing as how, unfortunately, we can only seem to beat the likes of Memphis, Miss State, Louisiana Monroe and Arkansas State, yeah, we'd go undefeated every year if we had a USM schedule. It holds a lot of water. [img]http://home.comcast.net/~tegaspard/images/smiles/lol.gif[/img]

Author

LambdaRisen

Date

2007-08-26T19:14:18-06:00

ID

81902

Comment

If you think Ole Miss can go undefeated with a USM-like schedule, how about joining C-USA and try it? Otherwise, stop making excuses why your team can't win by undermining USM.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-08-26T22:13:26-06:00

ID

81903

Comment

[img]http://home.comcast.net/~tegaspard/images/smiles/bring_it_on.gif[/img]

Author

LambdaRisen

Date

2007-08-26T22:30:19-06:00

ID

81904

Comment

Hey Lamba, quick: Of the big three, who has the best winning percentage against C-USA schools since the league's inception? Who has the worst? As I've told you before, if we had your schedule, we'd be in the SEC. And we'd be drawing the same multimillion dollar welfare check that Ole Miss has since its last league championship in 1794. Assuming we get a similar bang per buck as now, we would quickly outdistance State and Ole Miss.

Author

laughter

Date

2007-08-27T12:01:10-06:00

ID

81905

Comment

Obviously USM would have the best winning percentage against C-USA schools because why? USM is in that very conference! That's common sense.They play more C-USA schools than we do. We play Memphis and that's it. Indeed, if USM had our schedule, they'd be in, and at the bottom, of the SEC because USM can't compete with the likes of Georgia, Florida, LSU, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Tennessee, etc. USM would share bottom with Miss State, Vanderbilt and Kentucky. [img]http://home.comcast.net/~tegaspard/images/smiles/rofl.gif[/img]

Author

LambdaRisen

Date

2007-08-27T16:17:36-06:00

ID

81906

Comment

This whole argument is ridiculous, but you've really made a fool of yourself right here, Lambda: "Indeed, if USM had our schedule, they'd be in, and at the bottom, of the SEC because USM can't compete with the likes of Georgia, Florida, LSU, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Tennessee, etc. USM would share bottom with Miss State, Vanderbilt and Kentucky." Arkansas is no powerhouse program, but putting umiss's name with GA, FL, and TN is laughable. Also, I guess you've forgotten the skull draggings that your precious little football team has received in the last few years from EACH of the 3 teams you singled out as the bottom feeders?? How does that work?!

Author

millhouse

Date

2007-08-27T16:24:52-06:00

ID

81907

Comment

Wait a minute, Lambda, that doesn't make any sense. We're talking winning PERCENTAGES here. The absolute number of teams you play doesn't matter, except insofar as you might argue that your sample (i.e., Memphis) is not representative of the entire league. I actually agree on that point: Memphis is not representative, or at least they haven't been if you average out their performance since 1996. They're below average. The short answer: USM loses 21% of its CUSA games, Ole Miss 33%, and MSU 40%. If Ole Miss and MSU had played teams like Houston, TCU, Louisville, Tulsa, and USM, instead of bottom-feeders Tulane, UAB, and Memphis, their percentages would be even worse. Your assertion that USM would share the bottom with MSU (but not UM, snicker) is just that: an assertion. We probably would for the first few years, but in time, our athletics program would fundamentally change in every respect, because we'd be in the SEC. It's hard to predict what USM would become if that happened. The closest analog might be USF, which went from 7-5 in CUSA to 9-4 in a stronger Big East, largely because of increased exposure, better recruiting, and more money. There's no reason to think that wouldn't happen to USM. Of course, all of this is moot. UM and MSU each would have a veto of any new SEC member. And they would use it, just as they've used their political influence to marginalize USM. That's how Mississippi works: we have so little, but instead of working together to make things better for everyone, we join tribes and try to claw our way to the top of the mole hill. To live in a gated community, go to the right church, drive an Escalade, and cheer the Rebels on to victory. Hotty Toddy!

Author

laughter

Date

2007-08-27T17:07:00-06:00

ID

81908

Comment

In all honesty, I wished Ole Miss and MSU played USM still in football. I want it because it's the right thing to do. I know there's a lot of Ole Miss fans that say we don't need USM but the way I see it, I'd rather be at a fun game that keeps all the money IN state, playing a home Div 1 team as part of our non-conference schedule, than playing Memphis. Even in our worst years, we beat Memphis 9 times out of 10. Ole Miss fans say it'll hurt recruiting if USM wins. Umm, last I checked, Memphis recruits Mississippi harder than Ole Miss/MSU/USM so why do we still play them year in and year out? I guess because 98% of the time, it's a W. I can't think of a single valid argument why there should NOT be a Ole Miss/MSU/USM series. Further, I think we should play Jackson State too but that won't happen, not even if they move to Div 1. USM did it, why can't we? At any rate, the fact still stands that if USM were in the SEC, they'd be bottom-dwellers. [img]http://home.comcast.net/~tegaspard/images/smiles/bring_it_on.gif[/img]

Author

LambdaRisen

Date

2007-08-27T17:18:43-06:00

ID

81909

Comment

Now you're talking, Lambda! An USM-Ole Miss/MSU series would be huge for this state. I remember when Ole Miss played at Arkansas State a few years. I don't think have the stadium was filled. They also didn't get a sellout when they went out to Wyoming and lost. Same with State whenever they went to play at other C-USA schools. A USM series will guarantee a sellout to the point where people would have to be turned away. Now, somebody please step up to the plate and make this happen again.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-08-27T19:54:02-06:00

ID

81910

Comment

Belhaven Coach: Don Lee (third season, 12-10) Stadium: Newell Field, Jackson 2006: 7-4 (5-4 MSC) Radio: 930 AM Outlook: Optimistic. And why not? After losing their first five games in 2006, the Blazers won six straight for their first winning season since 1999. How were they 7-4 if they lost 5 and won 6? Oops. Doctor S neglected to mention in the preview that Bethel, which beat Belhaven in 2006, had to forfeit all of last year's victories for using an ineligible player.

Author

Dr. S

Date

2007-08-28T14:35:53-06:00

ID

81911

Comment

In case any of you are wondering, former JSU head football clown, er, coach James Bell is going into his second season as head football coach at Taylor University in Indiana. The team last year went 1-9. But before you be critical of him, the previous head coach went 0-10 in the 2005 season. What if Taylor were to win two games? Would Bell get a contract extension? We'll see.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-08-28T18:34:14-06:00

ID

81912

Comment

Yeah, and notice on the Taylor University Coach's Page how they go into detail about his jobs at University of North Texas, Wake Forest University, Indiana University and University of Louisville but all they had to say about his stint at JSU is he was there 3-years before coming to Taylor. [img]http://home.comcast.net/~tegaspard/images/smiles/rofl.gif[/img] Bet it's a change for him going from 3 years at a black college in the South to a white christian private college int he North.

Author

LambdaRisen

Date

2007-08-28T19:50:49-06:00

ID

81913

Comment

Michael Henig has thrown six interceptions. MSU is down 38-0 midway through the fourth. And it was Croom who said last week that MSU has SEC-caliber talent at every position. I want some of that Kool-Aid he was drinking. Anybody seen Kingfish lately?

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-08-30T21:00:36-06:00

ID

81914

Comment

I totally forgot this game was tonight. Didn't expect anything less from LSU or anything more from MSPuke.

Author

LambdaRisen

Date

2007-08-30T22:21:31-06:00

ID

81915

Comment

45-0 final. [img]http://home.comcast.net/~tegaspard/images/smiles/rofl.gif[/img] I don't even think the color of Croom's skin will save him after this season. Also saw where Ole Miss announced it will play Texas in Texas in 2012 and in Oxford in 2013. According to the CL, will be the first time Texas has been to Vaught-Hemmingway. Ole Miss last played Texas in the 1966 Bluebonnet Bowl in Houston. The Longhorns lead the all-time series 5-1, with Ole Miss' victory coming in the 1958 Sugar Bowl. 2012? That seems so far away, but only 4 and a half years.

Author

LambdaRisen

Date

2007-08-30T23:23:16-06:00

ID

81916

Comment

Good to see Ole Miss win today. [img]http://home.comcast.net/~tegaspard/images/smiles/winking.gif[/img] Shocker here: Division II Delta State beating Division I-AA Jackson State, and not by barely. 27 to 15. Looks like a long season for JSU fans. [img]http://home.comcast.net/~tegaspard/images/smiles/surprise.gif[/img]

Author

LambdaRisen

Date

2007-09-01T21:32:59-06:00

ID

81917

Comment

Delta State winning is not that surprising. The Fighting Okra are very good, and I thought they had a decent chance of upsetting the Tigers.

Author

Ex

Date

2007-09-01T22:16:12-06:00