Sports Illustrated published a nice little story about the Mississippi State University football program and its recent success on the gridiron:
The Bulldogs have not won the SEC in more than 70 years and have never produced a serious Heisman Trophy candidate. Last Saturday they lifted their record to 5-0 after thumping No. 6 Texas A&M 48-31 at Davis Wade Stadium -- a week after dumping No. 8 LSU 34-29 on the road. At No. 3, MSU holds the highest ranking in school history and is in contention not only for the SEC West title but also for a bid to the first national playoff. All of which has made a Heisman candidate out of Prescott, who in the last two wins has accounted for eight touchdowns, completed 70.0% of his passes for a total of 536 yards and rushed for 182 more. “I’ve been a part of Mississippi State for five decades, and we’re seeing something that’s never happened here before,” says Rockey Felker, a former quarterback and coach and now a support-staff member. “There’s a confidence about this team, that it’s going to go somewhere.”....
The Bulldogs aren’t needy -- they’ve built $100 million worth of facilities over the past three years -- but at least one SEC coordinator made more than Mullen’s initial $1.2 million salary. Mullen makes $3 million now, though the athletic department budget of $57.3 million is about half of Alabama’s ($116.6 million), Florida’s ($106.9 million) and LSU’s ($105.3 million). MSU’s $2.6 million annual budget for its nine assistant coaches is roughly equal to what LSU pays its two coordinators. “In the real world, having a successful organization that keeps costs in check would be praised,” Stricklin says. “In the SEC, doing that gets you ridiculed.”
Winning doesn’t. Mississippi State went 9-4 in Mullen’s second season and went to the Gator Bowl, handing Michigan its worst bowl loss, 52-14. That began a run of four straight bowl games, a first for the school. There was joy in Starkville, except one problem persisted: Mullen was 2-21 against Top 25 teams.....
Want to know what a revolution sounds like? Between the third and fourth quarter, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” blares through the stadium speakers. The throng rings cowbells to the beat, creating a deafening roar as they try to hold on to the feeling.
The stakes get even higher against No. 2 Auburn this week. But for Mullen, Prescott and the Bulldogs, everything is falling into place. Everything. Rest of article.
14 comments:
Hey Kingfish, haven't been reading here for very long. Just discovered your site a couple of months ago and I really love it! But let me guess, you are an Ole Miss fan?
State will eventually pull a state. It simply has no choice. The Indians will not be mocked.
Damn 11:04 you ARE a newbie!
I thought the SI "Curse" was being on the cover. If I'm right, then you should know both Ole Miss and Miss State are on the cover.
Can't wait for Gameday in Starkville with the long and storied tradition of the Junction, as people say "TSUN!!!" and giggle like girls behind their cowbells.
Yes 11:26 I am! I have enjoyed it so far but don't know how long I will be sticking around if my Dawgs start getting too belittled by the Kingfish!
Belittle? Linking a positive story about MSU is belittling? Oooook.
Reason why I posted "Congrats to the Rebs" was because they beat a number one team. When State beats a number one team, I will do the same.
Tiger Bait, 11:04! Keep up!
Kingfish there is some fairly legit disagreement on whether or not Bama was the #1 team. AP had them at #3. Anyway, good win by the Rebs.
CBS, who broadcast the Ole Miss game, uses the Coaches poll. They are pretty much the only ones that do. The rest of CFB affiliates use the AP poll. The AP poll had Alabama at #3, with FSU being #1. No Mississippi team has played the actual recognized #1 team. To say that would mean you would have to say Ole Miss is ranked #4 currently.
Moral victory aside, they did a fine job last saturday. Both MS teams represented the state well.
@11:17 I noticed a lot of my Ole Miss friends using the coaches poll last week yet suddenly switching over to the AP for their poll of choice this week. No matter, I agree, both teams did well.
i haven't recognized the AP since 2003.
Why not, Kingfish? Just curious.
The SI "cover curse" has been broken more than a few times!
The only " curse" that exists is in the heads of superstitious players!
Hope coaches have enough sense to have the many examples of " no curse" handy!
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