Fitz before Dak

[bluelightstar]

Fitz also gets a lot of breaks from people because we had "no receivers" last year (which is true!), but Dak had zero help from the running game in 2015. I think he was our leading rusher that year by a wide margin, and still managed to have 7 300+ yard passing games (including a 500-yard game). Hell, we had to go bombs away basically the entire season. Dak is probably the only QB in our history that could've led us to 9-4 that year.

Fitz has been good in a lot of respects, but, hell, this thread makes me think Dak is underappreciated.

[BrunswickDawg]

Fitz also gets a lot of breaks from people because we had "no receivers" last year (which is true!), but Dak had zero help from the running game in 2015. I think he was our leading rusher that year by a wide margin, and still managed to have 7 300+ yard passing games (including a 500-yard game). Hell, we had to go bombs away basically the entire season. Dak is probably the only QB in our history that could've led us to 9-4 that year.

Fitz has been good in a lot of respects, but, hell, this thread makes me think Dak is underappreciated.

I don't really think either of them are underappreciated. This is a "chicken or the egg" argument that really has no right or wrong answer. While Dak is, and will be for a long time, the most popular player in MSU history (arguably in any sport) we can't lose sight of the fact we are in uncharted waters for MSU - with a large number extremely high profile of former athletes. Look at who all we have out there right now -
Dak Prescott
Benardrick McKinney
Fletcher Cox
Darius Slay
Gabe Jackson
Preston Smith
Mitch Moreland
Jonathan Holder
Victoria Vivians
Ally McDonald

We even have notable fans who are stars now like Robin Roberts (when have we ever had that???)

With another huge wave of potential stars either in MiLB or in our athletic program currently (Tierra, Fitz, etc). We are in a Golden Era of MSU sports. We need to push all of these as faces of what MSU represents.

[smootness]

I don't really think either of them are underappreciated. This is a "chicken or the egg" argument that really has no right or wrong answer. While Dak is, and will be for a long time, the most popular player in MSU history (arguably in any sport) we can't lose sight of the fact we are in uncharted waters for MSU - with a large number extremely high profile of former athletes. Look at who all we have out there right now -
Dak Prescott
Benardrick McKinney
Fletcher Cox
Darius Slay
Gabe Jackson
Preston Smith
Mitch Moreland
Jonathan Holder
Victoria Vivians
Ally McDonald

We even have notable fans who are stars now like Robin Roberts (when have we ever had that???)

With another huge wave of potential stars either in MiLB or in our athletic program currently (Tierra, Fitz, etc). We are in a Golden Era of MSU sports. We need to push all of these as faces of what MSU represents.

While I agree with your overall point, in the 90s we had Will Clark, Rafael Palmeiro, Eric Moulds, Erick Dampier, Jeff Malone, Jeff Brantley, Walt Harris. Outside of Dak, Fletcher, and maybe Slay, those are more recognizable names than the others on that list.

[TrapGame]

Fitz has a chance to be another legend this year. Not Dak Prescott but his own man. If we reach Atlanta with a shot at a NC playoff berth then Fitz enters a different stage of legendary status. Not necessarily better just different.

[bulldawg28]

I stated that it's not just about what happens on the field and to narrow Dak's story down just to him dealing with his mother's death is very short sighted.

What did he do off the field that you're referring to? After the death he was thrust into the spotlight off the field.

[bulldawg28]

Fitz also gets a lot of breaks from people because we had "no receivers" last year (which is true!), but Dak had zero help from the running game in 2015. I think he was our leading rusher that year by a wide margin, and still managed to have 7 300+ yard passing games (including a 500-yard game). Hell, we had to go bombs away basically the entire season. Dak is probably the only QB in our history that could've led us to 9-4 that year.

Fitz has been good in a lot of respects, but, hell, this thread makes me think Dak is underappreciated.

2015 is comparable to what Fitz did last year, if not better. His top 3 WRs missed the majority of the year and barring injury would have put the team on his back for 10 wins.
Dak was great for MSU and is appreciated highly. However, Fitzgerald has done the same on the field with lesser teams.

[dawgday166]

Now I love Dak and he's a great ambassador for MSU. Having said that:

Dak as a senior was very good and improved by a ton from Jr to Sr. Dak as a junior ... not sure he was better than Fitz. Remember, he threw some picks, especially against Bama, that were very costly. Also, Dak was surrounded by experienced Seniors on O and D lines. Had experienced secondary. Had better receivers too. Whatever folks wanna say about that D, when it came time to shut down an opposing team, they did it pretty well. Only gave up a little over 300 yds to Bama in TTown. Ole Miss and Ga Tech were the only games they didn't clamp down on. Also gave up those 3 3rd and long conversions to Sims for Bama. We played Vandy as the other east team that year, not a team on a par with last year's Ga team. AU wasn't as good that year as this past year either, especially on D.

The book is still out on Fitz IMO ... I think he will be very good. We'll find out here over the next few months. Dak couldn't make all the throws as a Jr. He progressed a whole lot from Jr to Sr year.

[LC Dawg]

What did he do off the field that you're referring to? After the death he was thrust into the spotlight off the field.

You seriously think Dak's popularity and fame is due to his mom passing away? His mom's passing and his relationship with her is definitely a large part of his story but he was thrust into the spotlight because of his play on the field and leading State to a #1 ranking. What he did with the spotlight is what sets him apart from a lot of athletes.

[BuckyIsAB****]

I'm going to push back on this and say yes.
What intangible does Dak have that Fitz doesn't?
Leadership? Check
Hard Worker? Check
Ability to put a team on his back and will them to a win? See entire 2016 season.
Ability to put team first? Check
Overcome hardship and obstacles to become the player/leader he is? Check
Teammates love him? Check (Get over the BS rumors pre-2016 - as we all can see now a lot of that was probably fueled by Dam Williams and his guys)
Top 10 Candidate for the most prestigious award in college football? Check

Now, he is about to come back from a career threatening injury, with the potential to lead a team to it's first SEC Title since before the German's bombed Pearl Harbor - and you guys are saying that if you removed Dak from the equation Fitz still doesn't measure up??? Greatest QB and arguably greatest athlete in the history of the football program if you remove Dak - and if he brings us an SEC West/SEC/or NC this year will have surpassed Dak in many ways.

I love Dak - but some of y'all need a head check.

I love Fitz and there is no doubt he leaves it all on the field every single game. BUT

There was no BS to the rumors that people on the team didnt like him early on. He has matured a lot since he first got here. Mullen created all the drama in playing Williams when he never should have.

If Mullen had left Fitz in vs South Alabama we never lose to them and there is never any controversy.

All that said he can surpass Dak if he plays to the level he is capable of this year

[BuckyIsAB****]

And Im not trying to bad mouth Fitz. Also not doubting him, would be stupid to do so. He is the most talented QB MSU has ever seen, he was also one of the most raw.

This is his time and he has the chance to take us back to ATL and possibly a playoff. Something Dak had the chance to do but didnt. (Not entirely his fault)

KT also is going to be special. This is by far the golden age of MSU QB's

[bulldawg28]

You seriously think Dak's popularity and fame is due to his mom passing away? His mom's passing and his relationship with her is definitely a large part of his story but he was thrust into the spotlight because of his play on the field and leading State to a #1 ranking. What he did with the spotlight is what sets him apart from a lot of athletes.

I agree that both are reasons for his popularity. However, I also believe Fitz would have done the same as Dak at that stage in their careers on that team. I guessthe truth is Fitz will get his chance this fall. He won't have the element of surprise the 2014 team had. Fitz has expectations that Dak never did.

[BrunswickDawg]

I love Fitz and there is no doubt he leaves it all on the field every single game. BUT

There was no BS to the rumors that people on the team didnt like him early on. He has matured a lot since he first got here. Mullen created all the drama in playing Williams when he never should have.

If Mullen had left Fitz in vs South Alabama we never lose to them and there is never any controversy.

All that said he can surpass Dak if he plays to the level he is capable of this year

I could totally understand Fitz being seen as a very different cat compared most on the team and that causing some issues. A kid from Coastal GA is going to be used to a very different lifestyle - different from even MS coast rats. And there is something of a party life to it that you grow up in - especially in the Savannah area. My daughter talked about it a lot this year going from here to Starkville. Two totally different worlds.