Joe24
Water Engineer
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I Root For: Memphis
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Mississippi St. Football Preview
Gameday: September 3, 2022
Time: 6:30 pm
TV: ESPNU
Opponent: Mississippi State University
Location: Starkville, MS
Enrollment: 23,086
Mascot: "Bully" the Bulldog
Notable Alumni: Dak Prescott, Marsha Blackburn, Rafael Palmeiro
2021 Record: 7-6 (4-4). Lost to Texas Tech 34-7 in the Liberty Bowl
Record vs Memphis All Time: 34-11
Most Recent: Memphis won 31-29 on 9/18/21 at Liberty Bowl Stadium, ending a 12 game losing streak to the Bulldogs.
Returning Starters: Offense (8) Defense (8)
Key Losses: WR Makai Polk, LT Charles Cross, DB Martin Emerson
Team Strength: QB and Defensive Line. Returning Quarterback Will Rogers, set numerous single season records for a State QB last season. A lot of that has to due with being the quarterback of a Mike Leach coached football team and his Air Raid offense, but Rogers is a strong quarterback regardless. The defensive line returns all of its starters from a year ago and gets back Jordan Davis who missed all of last season with a knee injury.
Team Weakness: Defensive Secondary. Martin Emerson is off to the NFL after being one of the better DB's in the SEC. Safety Fred Peters is also gone. Finding capable replacements for both is imperative for MSU to be relevant in the SEC.
Summary: MSU will quite possibly be the Tigers toughest opponent this season. Likely to be ranked just outside of the top 25 to start the season, the Bulldogs have the experience to be a solid team in the SEC. However, with questions in the secondary and Mike Leach's Air Raid offenses ability to go silent at times, the Bulldogs still have an uphill battle in the SEC. This would definitely be an early season upset if the Tigers were to go into Starkville and pull off a win, and would give them some major momentum to start the season with. Go Tigers!
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07-16-2022 09:20 AM |
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Virginia Tiger
2nd String
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
My heart votes for the Tigers but my brain says the opposite.
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07-16-2022 09:29 AM |
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roachman48
Heisman
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
(07-16-2022 09:29 AM)Virginia Tiger Wrote: My heart votes for the Tigers but my brain says the opposite.
I agree , unfortunately. The Bullies will watch plenty of film of 2021 Tigers vs Bullies game where we won. I definitely expect them to be motivated. Leach's team with a good QB could easily make for a scary combo.
Our secondary has some athletes who are solid football players . Many of them have 1-2 years of playing experience. They really do not fall into the 'inexperienced' or 'experienced' category. They are somewhere in the middle. Maybe, our D surprises Miss State . Maybe, we defend the MSU pass attack much better than expected. Maybe, we get a couple of breaks. Pull off the upset. Crazier things have happened.
But, my brain does not feel good about this matchup.
Go Tigers!
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07-16-2022 09:46 AM |
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BERT56
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
Perfect time to sneak up on them and get the W.
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07-16-2022 09:49 AM |
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Eagleonpar
Heisman
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
I doubt we sneak up on them considering how we won last year
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07-16-2022 09:53 AM |
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NDTiger
All American
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
Our season hinges on our OLine play. We had several additions in ‘22 class that should be in 2- Deep (not mentioning any Frosh as this positions traditionally takes +2yrs to develop)
- OT McClain (JC)
- G Carter (JC)
- OT Henry III (Transfer)
- TE Landphere (JC - Big Body)
Hoping ‘21 OT Dobbs (Transfer from Mich St has grown up and figured it out).
*I personally think ‘21 OT Pounders and OT White will be monsters for us in ‘23. They get some reps this year but need 1 more year in weight room.
On paper, we could be much better at OL this season. I’m hoping the new OL asst coach recently hired makes the big time impact we are expecting.
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07-16-2022 09:56 AM |
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BERT56
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
(07-16-2022 09:53 AM)Eagleonpar Wrote: I doubt we sneak up on them considering how we won last year
Everyone knows the best time to get a big win is at the start of the season when both teams are still trying to figure out their identity. Our offense and defense will be different from what they saw last season w new coordinators. And Mike Leach’s air raid is what it is. Can be explosive at times and stalls at others. I like our chances and I was at about 50% of the spring practices. We have playmakers that have been waiting to get their shot. GTG!
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07-16-2022 10:12 AM |
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BERT56
Resident Slappy
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
(07-16-2022 09:56 AM)NDTiger Wrote: Our season hinges on our OLine play. We had several additions in ‘22 class that should be in 2- Deep (not mentioning any Frosh as this positions traditionally takes +2yrs to develop)
- OT McClain (JC)
- G Carter (JC)
- OT Henry III (Transfer)
- TE Landphere (JC - Big Body)
Hoping ‘21 OT Dobbs (Transfer from Mich St has grown up and figured it out).
*I personally think ‘21 OT Pounders and OT White will be monsters for us in ‘23. They get some reps this year but need 1 more year in weight room.
On paper, we could be much better at OL this season. I’m hoping the new OL asst coach recently hired makes the big time impact we are expecting.
Pounders is so athletic for a big man. He was a bit too raw last year and has been working to figure it out. Addition of Diehl to the staff is gonna help immensely on the OL. They are really high on Pounders. And getting Austin Myers back is probably the best thing for our OL. Jonah Gambill is a straight mauler and loves to fight and finish guys. He will probably be the starting RG. Matt Dale will more than likely be back on the interior at LG. We are way deeper at OL going into this season.
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07-16-2022 10:16 AM |
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jsw3ent
Heisman
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
(07-16-2022 09:29 AM)Virginia Tiger Wrote: My heart votes for the Tigers but my brain says the opposite.
^^THIS^^
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07-16-2022 11:47 AM |
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Eagleonpar
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
(07-16-2022 10:12 AM)BERT56 Wrote: (07-16-2022 09:53 AM)Eagleonpar Wrote: I doubt we sneak up on them considering how we won last year
Everyone knows the best time to get a big win is at the start of the season when both teams are still trying to figure out their identity. Our offense and defense will be different from what they saw last season w new coordinators. And Mike Leach’s air raid is what it is. Can be explosive at times and stalls at others. I like our chances and I was at about 50% of the spring practices. We have playmakers that have been waiting to get their shot. GTG!
Lol ok
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07-16-2022 12:15 PM |
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tcountytigerfan
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
(07-16-2022 09:56 AM)NDTiger Wrote: Our season hinges on our OLine play. We had several additions in ‘22 class that should be in 2- Deep (not mentioning any Frosh as this positions traditionally takes +2yrs to develop)
- OT McClain (JC)
- G Carter (JC)
- OT Henry III (Transfer)
- TE Landphere (JC - Big Body)
Hoping ‘21 OT Dobbs (Transfer from Mich St has grown up and figured it out).
*I personally think ‘21 OT Pounders and OT White will be monsters for us in ‘23. They get some reps this year but need 1 more year in weight room.
On paper, we could be much better at OL this season. I’m hoping the new OL asst coach recently hired makes the big time impact we are expecting.
Agreed - I think we’ll see the fruits of these past few recruiting years pay off with the guys in the trenches. Building depth on both lines has been a real emphasis. I look for our run game to really improve.
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07-16-2022 12:31 PM |
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EarthBoundMisfit
Tongue tied and twisted
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
I'm hoping we can establish a running game. Wear their front 7 down.
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07-16-2022 03:00 PM |
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marktheapostle
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
(07-16-2022 09:56 AM)NDTiger Wrote: Our season hinges on our OLine play. We had several additions in ‘22 class that should be in 2- Deep (not mentioning any Frosh as this positions traditionally takes +2yrs to develop)
- OT McClain (JC)
- G Carter (JC)
- OT Henry III (Transfer)
- TE Landphere (JC - Big Body)
Hoping ‘21 OT Dobbs (Transfer from Mich St has grown up and figured it out).
*I personally think ‘21 OT Pounders and OT White will be monsters for us in ‘23. They get some reps this year but need 1 more year in weight room.
On paper, we could be much better at OL this season. I’m hoping the new OL asst coach recently hired makes the big time impact we are expecting.
Losing Evan Fields to Medical Retirement really hurts OL line depth and experience as he was slated the 6th lineman (and he had played/started a good bit the last two years. Any injury will bring in someone who has had very few game snaps. Key may be Dobbs holding down RT spot. He appeared to be leaner in spring game. The Tigers website isn't accurate on weights (Silverfield recently remarked Parham played at 315 last year, website had him at 285) but I would imagine Dale and Dobbs would contend for the largest right side of the line that they ever had.
TE will be interesting to watch as two former walk-ons will be keys to success. Caden Prieskorn (listed at 6'6 and 255, up from 215 last year) really needs to step up. John Hassell, local, is back for extra year. If he can stay healthy, I think he may have a positive impact to run game. It seems the Tigers lost him and Myers in the same part of season last year. May be only correlative (along with B. Thomas concussion) but the running game fizzled.
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07-16-2022 03:38 PM |
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memphisike
Heisman
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
We Gotta BLITZ and throw the DEEP BALL
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07-16-2022 04:07 PM |
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EarthBoundMisfit
Tongue tied and twisted
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
(07-16-2022 03:38 PM)marktheapostle Wrote: (07-16-2022 09:56 AM)NDTiger Wrote: Our season hinges on our OLine play. We had several additions in ‘22 class that should be in 2- Deep (not mentioning any Frosh as this positions traditionally takes +2yrs to develop)
- OT McClain (JC)
- G Carter (JC)
- OT Henry III (Transfer)
- TE Landphere (JC - Big Body)
Hoping ‘21 OT Dobbs (Transfer from Mich St has grown up and figured it out).
*I personally think ‘21 OT Pounders and OT White will be monsters for us in ‘23. They get some reps this year but need 1 more year in weight room.
On paper, we could be much better at OL this season. I’m hoping the new OL asst coach recently hired makes the big time impact we are expecting.
Losing Evan Fields to Medical Retirement really hurts OL line depth and experience as he was slated the 6th lineman (and he had played/started a good bit the last two years. Any injury will bring in someone who has had very few game snaps. Key may be Dobbs holding down RT spot. He appeared to be leaner in spring game. The Tigers website isn't accurate on weights (Silverfield recently remarked Parham played at 315 last year, website had him at 285) but I would imagine Dale and Dobbs would contend for the largest right side of the line that they ever had.
TE will be interesting to watch as two former walk-ons will be keys to success. Caden Prieskorn (listed at 6'6 and 255, up from 215 last year) really needs to step up. John Hassell, local, is back for extra year. If he can stay healthy, I think he may have a positive impact to run game. It seems the Tigers lost him and Myers in the same part of season last year. May be only correlative (along with B. Thomas concussion) but the running game fizzled.
misinformation regarding player sizes/weights has been a common tactic in sports, football and basketball
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07-16-2022 04:09 PM |
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Tiger87
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
(07-16-2022 11:47 AM)jsw3ent Wrote: (07-16-2022 09:29 AM)Virginia Tiger Wrote: My heart votes for the Tigers but my brain says the opposite.
^^THIS^^
It's the one time all year Old Miss fans will be cheering for the Tigers
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07-16-2022 04:38 PM |
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jsw3ent
Heisman
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
(07-16-2022 04:38 PM)Tiger87 Wrote: (07-16-2022 11:47 AM)jsw3ent Wrote: (07-16-2022 09:29 AM)Virginia Tiger Wrote: My heart votes for the Tigers but my brain says the opposite.
^^THIS^^
It's the one time all year Old Miss fans will be cheering for the Tigers
I get your lame attempt at sarcasm --but you are 100% correct--OLD PIZZ will certainly be pulling for us
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07-16-2022 05:12 PM |
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bluebacker
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
Its not a fair fight and hasn't been for a long, long time. Doesn't mean Memphis cannot occasionally win but that's about all it can be.
Give Memphis SEC money and exposure for a decade and things would be different.
The discrepancy is worse now than it has ever been and is going to continue to get more lopsided.
It is what it is.
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07-16-2022 05:14 PM |
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jsw3ent
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
(07-16-2022 05:14 PM)bluebacker Wrote: Its not a fair fight and hasn't been for a long, long time. Doesn't mean Memphis cannot occasionally win but that's about all it can be.
Give Memphis SEC money and exposure for a decade and things would be different.
The discrepancy is worse now than it has ever been and is going to continue to get more lopsided.
It is what it is.
YEP
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07-16-2022 05:18 PM |
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ImaTiger
We fight like Tigers!
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RE: Mississippi St. Football Preview
Interesting... usually one of the more intelligent contributors posts a semi-logical explanation of how we will win. And then another reasonable and intelligent contributor agrees.
And then I have hope.
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07-16-2022 05:32 PM |
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