Was anybody as surprised as me to see State dominate TSUN in this year's egg bowl? Sure, I thought our Dawgs could pull it off, you know, maybe keep things tight into the fourth quarter and win it with a field goal much like the last time the Johnny Reb came to Starkville.
But to see Hevesy's offensive line cave in the line of scrimmage play after play after play, McPhee and the D-line harass Snead, and K.J. Wright and company pursue/tackle McCluster the way they did was impressive, and, yep, unexpected.
Overrated
Looking back at the '09 regular season, it's plain to see that all the talk about how awesome Ole Miss was supposed to be was just hot air. Honestly, I can't remember the last time a team, any team, was so over-hyped during the preseason. Maybe it was the light schedule ahead combined with a Heisman Trophy candidate (sheesh) at quarterback.
All I know is that when the dust settled TSUN had one more conference win than our Dawgs did. Consider that, then scan and compare schedules, and there is no comparison. State is a better football team, period.
"Do you really mean that, Matt," you ask?
I do, and here's why. TSUN has more seniors and more upperclassmen who contribute, yet they still couldn't get it done @ South Carolina and @ Auburn. Mississippi State was just as competitive mid-season against great teams like Georgia Tech, Florida, and Alabama, and played with freshmen and sophomores all over the field, not to mention without the best kicker and without major threat at quarterback. With all that youth on the field, Mullen's bunch won two SEC road games (Vandy, Kentucky). TSUN won one, @Vanderbilt.
Back to the schedule thing, every team in the SEC would win the following non-conference games: Memphis, Southeastern Louisiana, UAB, and Northern Arizona. Yes, even Vanderbilt would have been 4-0 in non-conference if they played these teams. Add three conference wins to the mix and you're bowl eligible. Win one more (thanks Les Miles) and you're a "great" 8-win team ranked 25th and supposedly "one team in this state that's getting real strong,"? Give me a break.
The fact of the matter is TSUN has had two fine seasons, but their fans might want to make sure they get a ticket to this year's bowl, because I don't see any more headed their way in the near future. And as far their first trip to Atlanta? Who knows but they will never NEVER have a more perfect schedule than this year. Frankly, IMHO, that won't be happening any time soon either.
Improvement Galore
I've heard more people talk about the improvement this season with the football team than at any other time in the past 10-12 years. Some of it was very obvious, but some was not.
The difference in our players physically from the '08 season to now is amazing. Matt Balis is in my opinion the MVP within the program right now. Let's make sure we all understand that our players turned from boys to men in one off-season, and I believe that our fans MUST lobby the administration to do whatever it takes to keep Balis around for 4-5 more years because I would bet his phone will be ringing. I'm excited to see the physical development of some of the players this time next year.
With the limitations Dan Mullen was given at a few key positions the first year coach continued to have the team in a position to win games. One play vs. LSU, one call vs. Houston, and the season's outcome changes. However, it all came together at the right time.during the battle for the golden egg. And it was obvious who the more prepared coaching staff was.
Our coaches noticed on Relf's first series in the first half that Ole Miss' linebackers were WAY out of position against the option. Relf reads the dive well (if the end who is unblocked caves down inside, he keeps). So his initial read was easy. But once he pulled the ball there was no defender to take the quarterback and it was free sailing for Relf.
Keonning and Mullen obviously told Relf at half, "we're staying with that same stuff with a couple of different formations, and keep the ball until they obviously force you to pitch. If the pitch isn't wide open, just run over somebody." Sounds so simple, but it was the difference in the game, as Nix and company on the other sideline had no answer and couldn't/wouldn't adjust.
Rivalry Motivation
To those who say the team with the better record wasn't as emotionally involved going in, bull. Emotions may play a part, but what matters is wins and losses either/or. Ask the Patriots if being emotionless versus the Saints is a proper excuse.
Fact is, it's the coach's job to impress on his players the importance in such a way as to motivate them, and convince them, and shove them toward readiness. This past weekend, it was obvious one did, and one did not.
Dan Mullen vs. Houston Nutt
A heavyweight fighter never won a title by pretending his opponent was not in the ring. Instead, you win by looking them in the eye, stepping up to the line, and going toe-to-toe, trading punch for punch for all the world to see.
Dan Mullen recognizes this and has no fear, no reservations. I love the fact that when handed the mic during the celebration the thought of what Nutt or TSUN supporters might think of him NEVER crossed his mind. The only thought he had was to speak to HIS fans, HIS players, HIS recruits. It's a "I'll do my thing, you do yours" attitude and then let's see who wins.
Dan may have started the "jabbing" by dubbing Ole Miss "the school up north" back when he was hired. There goes that I-don't-care-what-they-think attitude again. TSUN fans would love it if he were on their side.
Coach Nutt sent a jab allegedly State's way with the "one program getting stronger" comment earlier last week when asked about the KKK on campus and negative recruiting that might follow.
And what does DM do? Instead of pretending his opponent doesn't exist, he toes the line, looks 'em in the eye, and punches back.
It's that competitive attitude that will pay dividends. This recruiting class will be excellent and several of the kids who will sign in December and February will be immediate contributors on next year's team. Freshmen this year like Bumphis, Cox, Boyd, Heavens, Banks, and Broomfield will only be better in 2010. And the likes of McPhee, Wright, and White will be All-SEC performers with pro careers waiting.
The future is extremely bright for the Mississippi State Bulldogs under Dan Mullen, and Saturday's Egg Bowl was a sneak peak.
