Its almost August and I don't think I can remember

[R2Dawg]

a lower time in MSU football history and I go back 45+ years. Maybe Felker one year or Croom a few years. Idk. MSU fans are eternal optimists but just no juice about anything.

I know portal and NIL, etc are also part to blame but we need something good to happen soon.

Apathy is sleeping at our doorstep.

[No BS Dawg]

You are right. Eventually, reality trumps optimism and excitement. Something good is going to have to happen to change that and not sure many see that on the foreseeable horizon. There is an upgrade in overall talent, but what does that equate to with our monstrosity of a schedule? I am hoping and praying for some type of Damascus Road transformation. I guess time will tell.

[cheewgumm]

Maybe Kamario Taylor can be that spark we need

[viverlibre]

MSU fans are eternal optimists but just no juice about anything.

I'd say the opposite, there's no more pessimistic, self loathing, low T fanbase in the country.

[KOdawg1]

I'd say the opposite, there's no more pessimistic, self loathing, low T fanbase in the country.

Yeah, that's not true either.

[maroonmania]

Yeah, that's not true either.

Maybe it's all relative but when you compare our fanbase with the OM fanbase we are very pessimistic and self-loathing. Right now though, until we see something worthwhile on the field we have good reason.

[KOdawg1]

Maybe it's all relative but when you compare our fanbase with the OM fanbase we are very pessimistic and self-loathing. Right now though, until we see something worthwhile on the field we have good reason.

Our fanbase is a college athletics fanbase. We've got self loathing fans. We've got pessimists. We've got sunshine pumpers. We've got morons. We've good fans too.

Every major fanbase has all of this. I'm not going to agree that we have a higher amount of pessimists or self-loathers. It may just seem that way because it's the fanbase you're a part of.

Go to any SEC message board and you'll see the same things you see on Mississippi State boards.

[AROB44]

I'd say the opposite, there's no more pessimistic, self loathing, low T fanbase in the country.

Seems that way to me....

[starkvegasdawg]

Our fanbase is a college athletics fanbase. We've got self loathing fans. We've got pessimists. We've got sunshine pumpers. We've got morons. We've good fans too.

Every major fanbase has all of this. I'm not going to agree that we have a higher amount of pessimists or self-loathers. It may just seem that way because it's the fanbase you're a part of.

Go to any SEC message board and you'll see the same things you see on Mississippi State boards.

But do we have self loathing pessimist morons?

All kidding aside, I haven't given msu football even a cursory thought this year. I'll see a post on X of some old highlights and watch them but that's about it. Last couple of years flipped a switch in me. I just don't care any more. I'll still make a point to watch them when they play, but I used to completely arrange my Saturday schedule around game time. Year's past, when they kicked off my fat ass was in front of a tv somewhere. Now, if they're on but somebody in my family wants to do something I'll do it. Life's too short to spend it stressing out over msu football. This fall I hope to spend a lot of time outdoors around the burn pit roasting hotdogs with a pot of chili hanging over the fire or a Boston butt or brisket on the smoker.

[BuckyIsAB****]

Love this place with all my heart, but I have never been closer to finding something else to support. Leach dying and then everything the sport is supposed to stand for just dying woth it has really hurt me

[confucius say]

a lower time in MSU football history and I go back 45+ years. Maybe Felker one year or Croom a few years. Idk. MSU fans are eternal optimists but just no juice about anything.

I know portal and NIL, etc are also part to blame but we need something good to happen soon.

Apathy is sleeping at our doorstep.

Eternal optimists?? What?? We are the most negative fanbase in America. We complain 24/7

[parabrave]

Love this place with all my heart, but I have never been closer to finding something else to support. Leach dying and then everything the sport is supposed to stand for just dying woth it has really hurt me

Bucky this is for you and Basedog and Golden Dog. When college FB was FB.

https://youtu.be/7iFicRQ6um0?t=301

[Offshore Dawg]

Maybe Kamario Taylor can be that spark we need

Can't even get excited about him, someone will buy him out from us.

[Coach34]

Love this place with all my heart, but I have never been closer to finding something else to support. Leach dying and then everything the sport is supposed to stand for just dying woth it has really hurt me

I have gone from studying the roster every year before season and even attending Spring practices some years to I cant name a single player on the roster that does not play QB.

[viverlibre]

I have gone from studying the roster every year before season and even attending Spring practices some years to I cant name a single player on the roster that does not play QB.

Same, I know our three QBs and that's it and I attend all the games.

[parabrave]

I have gone from studying the roster every year before season and even attending Spring practices some years to I cant name a single player on the roster that does not play QB.

I know one player and thats only because I knew his grandfather. Every year since 1973, except for my Army years, I could name at least 11 players on the roster. We always knew who was on the next years roster also. Thanks Transfer portal.

[Political Hack]

I have gone from studying the roster every year before season and even attending Spring practices some years to I cant name a single player on the roster that does not play QB.

Same. It's sad. The level of "give a chit" is on empty. Baseball's fun again though!

[confucius say]

Our baseball roster turns over the same way, yet everybody is stoked about baseball. I don't think it's portal and money as much as losing 12 straight sec games by double digits.
That's about to change though.

[Ranchdawg]

With the way things are now. With transfers every year. With NIL. With the total ineptitude of the football athletic dept. I’ve really just checked out. It’s no longer fun with not knowing players. It’s no longer fun knowing going into a season we have “NO” chance of even sniffing a winning season. It really saddens me because all of my adult life MSU football was a very important thing to look forward to. Now oh sure I’ll watch some games on tv but the days of driving 2.5 hours up to Starkville and spending lots of money to be there are over.

Thank goodness my granddaughter that was a cheerleader has now graduated and I am not having to force myself to attend all home games to support granddaughter and just to watch a crappy football team. Yes every home game the first thing granddaughter did when she came out for the game would find me in my seats wave with a big smile and blow me kiss!

[Pancho]

we will see now how many wins and being drastically improved leads to.

[Coach34]

Our baseball roster turns over the same way, yet everybody is stoked about baseball. I don't think it's portal and money as much as losing 12 straight sec games by double digits.
That's about to change though.

For me it’s because it’s on a smaller level. Same with basketball. But when your roster changes by 40 or so players every season- there’s just no way to keep an interest in it.

[mckeen]

a lower time in MSU football history and I go back 45+ years. Maybe Felker one year or Croom a few years. Idk. MSU fans are eternal optimists but just no juice about anything.

I know portal and NIL, etc are also part to blame but we need something good to happen soon.

Apathy is sleeping at our doorstep.

Unfortunately, it has been worse. I lived through 1966-1969: 5 wins over 4 seasons.

[parabrave]

For me it’s because it’s on a smaller level. Same with basketball. But when your roster changes by 40 or so players every season- there’s just no way to keep an interest in it.

Also you have data on Baseball players most of who have playing time instead of a kid who sat the bench for 2 years waiting on a better player to leave.

[confucius say]

For me it’s because it’s on a smaller level. Same with basketball. But when your roster changes by 40 or so players every season- there’s just no way to keep an interest in it.

But you really only know half of the football roster anyway. About 50-55 guys. It's not hard to learn. If we were 9-3 every year the excitement would be high. We just made bad hires, and that cost us.
Excitement will pick up over the next 2-3 years

[Coach34]

But you really only know half of the football roster anyway. About 50-55 guys. It's not hard to learn. If we were 9-3 every year the excitement would be high. We just made bad hires, and that cost us.
Excitement will pick up over the next 2-3 years

But then that goes into the 2nd part of it. Because now that its almost totally money-based, I dont see a way for us to be competitive with top teams. We'll have a roster that good enough to stay ahead of non-P4 schools but even less of a chance to compete with the big boys. You have billionaire boosters at other schools now stepping in at places like Texas Tech. Unless we get something like that happening for us- it just wont matter.

We got that money flowing in now for baseball finally and basketball is at a very competitive place on the money front- football is not because of the amount it takes

[RezDog7]

My daughter has a very good chance of cheering D1 in a few years. She loves MSU but has been hesitant about cheering there because she knows how bad we suck. Even starting to consider the other school.

[CaptainObvious]

I know with some of y'all 4 wins with being more competitive in the losses will give you hope for the future. I just cannot get there. I realize too that some think our schedule will flip in 2026, possible giving us more chances for wind. Naw! They will just replace Texas, Georgia and Florida from this year with Alabama, LSU, and Auburn again and we are right back in the fire.

If Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Alabama, A&M, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia and really most if not all SEC teams went 2-10 and 4-8 in back to back seasons by a new coach, they would have a new coach the next year. Only Vandy and State and maybe Kentucky and Arkansas would tolerate that futility. And THAT is the neighborhood Mississippi State lives in. The equivalent of 39212 and 39204 in South Jackson vs. the first group who live in 39110.
We need to move out of South Jackson and at least find Pearl, South Brandon or Florence!

[DownwardDawg]

For me it’s because it’s on a smaller level. Same with basketball. But when your roster changes by 40 or so players every season- there’s just no way to keep an interest in it.

Plus we have a chance to win a National Championship in baseball. There's not even a chance at a winning season in football. That's another big difference in why we get excited about baseball even with the same turnover ratio.

[Ranchdawg]

My daughter has a very good chance of cheering D1 in a few years. She loves MSU but has been hesitant about cheering there because she knows how bad we suck. Even starting to consider the other school.

Please encourage her! The coach of the cheer squads is top notch and is very respected. My granddaughter has very much enjoyed her years of cheering at State even with the football stinking. Granddaughter got to go to several away games and experience other SEC campuses/stadiums. Granddaughter got to go to Los Angeles for the women’s basketball tournament. And granddaughter and her cheer team won a National Championship! Going to the other school imo would be a huge mistake. Not the same people there.

[Ranchdawg]

But then that goes into the 2nd part of it. Because now that its almost totally money-based, I dont see a way for us to be competitive with top teams. We'll have a roster that good enough to stay ahead of non-P4 schools but even less of a chance to compete with the big boys. You have billionaire boosters at other schools now stepping in at places like Texas Tech. Unless we get something like that happening for us- it just wont matter.

We got that money flowing in now for baseball finally and basketball is at a very competitive place on the money front- football is not because of the amount it takes

That is what makes my withdraw from support of the football. The hopelessness of the future is what is truly sad. The amount of monies that the others of this conference have is unattainable. If we put all of our NIL funds on just football we would still be in the bottom of this conference.

[Pancho]

[QUOTE=RezDog7;1661291]My daughter has a very good chance of cheering D1 in a few years. She loves MSU but has been hesitant about cheering there because she knows how bad we suck. Even starting to consider the other school.[/ maybe she can hold her nose and cheer

[Political Hack]

Our baseball roster turns over the same way, yet everybody is stoked about baseball. I don't think it's portal and money as much as losing 12 straight sec games by double digits.
That's about to change though.

It's all of the above, but winning cures all.

[confucius say]

But then that goes into the 2nd part of it. Because now that its almost totally money-based, I dont see a way for us to be competitive with top teams. We'll have a roster that good enough to stay ahead of non-P4 schools but even less of a chance to compete with the big boys. You have billionaire boosters at other schools now stepping in at places like Texas Tech. Unless we get something like that happening for us- it just wont matter.

We got that money flowing in now for baseball finally and basketball is at a very competitive place on the money front- football is not because of the amount it takes

What are we spending on our 2025 roster and what are KY, USCe, OM, Mizzou, Vandy, Auburn and Ark spending on their 2025 rosters? Total amounts, including the 20.5 million in rev share.

[Coach34]

What are we spending on our 2025 roster and what are KY, USCe, OM, Mizzou, Vandy, Auburn and Ark spending on their 2025 rosters? Total amounts, including the 20.5 million in rev share.

We are bottom 3 of the SEC. Kentucky's drop- like ours- also coincides with the NIL Era

[BravesDoggy]

This team wins 6 at least. Do not be shocked to see 7

[CaptainObvious]

I wonder how big of a drop we have this fall in enrollment due to our ineptitude on the football landscape in all phases?

[1eyedog]

In all my many years.....the “DOGS" at least always had some defensive players that would knock your **** in the dirt..... at the very least. Now I just don?t see anyone on either side of the ball that will. Truly hoping coach L is a miracle worker......I want to look forward to seeing something besides LSU night games on saturday night..........

[confucius say]

We are bottom 3 of the SEC. Kentucky's drop- like ours- also coincides with the NIL Era

How much are we behind each of the teams 8-13?
Who is in the bottom 3 with us?
How much are we spending total on the 2025 roster?

(KY is 9-3, 7-5, 7-5, 4-8 in the NIL era. That's phenomenal for them historically.)

[maroonmania]

Plus we have a chance to win a National Championship in baseball. There's not even a chance at a winning season in football. That's another big difference in why we get excited about baseball even with the same turnover ratio.

Exactly, we have an elite coaching staff bringing in top end talent in baseball. Both sports bringing in transfers is about the only similarity in the two sports right now.

[ArrowDawg]

Maybe it's all relative but when you compare our fanbase with the OM fanbase we are very pessimistic and self-loathing. Right now though, until we see something worthwhile on the field we have good reason.

That's only because OM hired a winning coach and they're spending money like crazy to get the players they need. A few years ago, OM fans were us. Their stands were empty. They couldn't care less. We're pretty much at that point at MSU now.

[Todd4State]

That's only because OM hired a winning coach and they're spending money like crazy to get the players they need. A few years ago, OM fans were us. Their stands were empty. They couldn't care less. We're pretty much at that point at MSU now.

This is very true. Which is why if Lebby doesn't work it out it's imperative to hire a known coach that will cause a splash. And no that isn't Dan Mullen.

[Todd4State]

We are bottom 3 of the SEC. Kentucky's drop- like ours- also coincides with the NIL Era

Also coincides with Stoops trying to leave Kentucky.

[maroonmania]

What are we spending on our 2025 roster and what are KY, USCe, OM, Mizzou, Vandy, Auburn and Ark spending on their 2025 rosters? Total amounts, including the 20.5 million in rev share.

I've heard we have 15 million invested in this year's roster. While Im sure thats still toward the bottom of the SEC it should be worth more than 2 wins. Im still hoping the new 20.5 million cap from the schools helps get things back in line somewhat. I know there will still be rulebreakers, but there have always been rulebreakers in the past but maybe this will reign in the wild west environment we have now.

[Dawgface]

Eternal optimists?? What?? We are the most negative fanbase in America. We complain 24/7

Yep. And I?m one the board of the Don?t Give a Crap club.

[chef dixon]

I mean what kind of system is this?

Ole Miss and others are good because they pay a bunch of people more than others. The fans/boosters are responsible for paying to the level of competitiveness (insane). Congrat-u-****ing-lations on winning some games! I sure hope you would get a return on investment. I've even heard some Ole Miss fans say their interest is hanging on purely because they are winning, but they don't enjoy it the same way they used to.

Not to mention more commericals, change in clock rules, less plays, less team cohesion - the product is worse than it was 5 years ago and that isn't changing any time soon for the better

[parabrave]

I mean what kind of system is this?

Ole Miss and others are good because they pay a bunch of people more than others. The fans/boosters are responsible for paying to the level of competitiveness (insane). Congrat-u-****ing-lations on winning some games! I sure hope you would get a return on investment. I've even heard some Ole Miss fans say their interest is hanging on purely because they are winning, but they don't enjoy it the same way they used to.

Not to mention more commericals, change in clock rules, less plays, less team cohesion - the product is worse than it was 5 years ago and that isn't changing any time soon for the better

it's dam near flag football,

[basedog]

As far as football this season, it's a wait and see before I or we know what the outcome will truly be. All I know last years results were very poor MAINLY because of previous staff. A complete rebuild ain't gonna happen in a year or two, regardless of NIL crap!

I think Lebby is working hard and doing the best he can, no doubt he needs to show much improvement and show the media and fans they or we are wrong.

I do think we will be improved but what do I know because I'm all Maroon! LOL

I can tell you, never quit or give up, I don't have that gene in my body or soul! Just saying!

[Tater]

Our baseball roster turns over the same way, yet everybody is stoked about baseball. I don't think it's portal and money as much as losing 12 straight sec games by double digits.
That's about to change though.

Yea it can change from 12 to be up to 20 this year ***

All jokes aside, Death -> Thinking '23 = '18 and trying the continuity play instead -> Wendeez deciding to do the opposite of what he was hired to do -> Lebby being the most mediocre hire we could do -> Lebby running back the same staff from a 2-10 year, just set us up for failure. It's a rut, but we can get out of it. It just likely won't be one year. Lebby could get us to 6-6 and KT winning the Egg bowl after Shapen gets hurt late in year would make for everyone to be hyped like 2013 going into 2014 again. But that's just not likely.

[R2Dawg]

This team wins 6 at least. Do not be shocked to see 7

There you are you eternal optimist.

Most years in my 45+ there was a large % of fanbase that always thought wait till next season and we gonna be good. Fall camp we all blew up with wool because of a bunch of said players that just were showing out. Nothing, notta, zero juice now.

We need something good to happen; who knows maybe we are all surprised 2 months from now.

[basedog]

There you are you eternal optimist.

Most years in my 45+ there was a large % of fanbase that always thought wait till next season and we gonna be good. Fall camp we all blew up with wool because of a bunch of said players that just were showing out. Nothing, notta, zero juice now.

We need something good to happen; who knows maybe we are all surprised 2 months from now.

Nothing wrong with having hope, i'm hoping as well!

[Coach34]

How much are we behind each of the teams 8-13?
Who is in the bottom 3 with us?
How much are we spending total on the 2025 roster?

(KY is 9-3, 7-5, 7-5, 4-8 in the NIL era. That's phenomenal for them historically.)

Well we were spending about half of what Mississippi was the last couple of seasons. We did up our game some for 2025.

As NIL has grown and become more ingrained- you are seeing it getting harder and harder for the State and Kentucky's of college football. Kentucky is predicted 15th in the SEC this season- State 16th. Granted we had some turmoil that also contributed- but it would still be a huge problem even without it. We raised spending, have a coach that is settled now, and still few expect us to win 4 games or more. Vegas has us at 3.5. We'll be a home underdog vs Arizona St

We shall get it going in about 5 weeks and see what happens

[basedog]

Well we were spending about half of what Mississippi was the last couple of seasons. We did up our game some for 2025.

As NIL has grown and become more ingrained- you are seeing it getting harder and harder for the State and Kentucky's of college football. Kentucky is predicted 15th in the SEC this season- State 16th. Granted we had some turmoil that also contributed- but it would still be a huge problem even without it. We raised spending, have a coach that is settled now, and still few expect us to win 4 games or more. Vegas has us at 3.5. We'll be a home underdog vs Arizona St

We shall get it going in about 5 weeks and see what happens

Yes

[AROB44]

This is very true. Which is why if Lebby doesn't work it out it's imperative to hire a known coach that will cause a splash. And no that isn't Dan Mullen.

You sure have it in for one of the best coaches in our history (if not the best). And, like you, I'm a huge JWS fan, but Dan is as good or better.

[STATEBALLIN]

Our baseball roster turns over the same way, yet everybody is stoked about baseball. I don't think it's portal and money as much as losing 12 straight sec games by double digits.
That's about to change though.

?About to change though? because you think we?re better this year? Or because we?re going to be just as bad and a change will be made?

[confucius say]

Well we were spending about half of what Mississippi was the last couple of seasons. We did up our game some for 2025.

As NIL has grown and become more ingrained- you are seeing it getting harder and harder for the State and Kentucky's of college football. Kentucky is predicted 15th in the SEC this season- State 16th. Granted we had some turmoil that also contributed- but it would still be a huge problem even without it. We raised spending, have a coach that is settled now, and still few expect us to win 4 games or more. Vegas has us at 3.5. We'll be a home underdog vs Arizona St

We shall get it going in about 5 weeks and see what happens

First paragraph is true. And on our 2023 roster we actually spent way less than half of what they spent on their 2023 roster.

But those Numbers have nothing to do with 2025 numbers. I'm not even sure they are spending more on their 2025 roster than we are. But if they are, it's not by a lot.
It's much more of a fair fight now. Gap is fixing to close if we have/get the head coach piece right.

[confucius say]

?About to change though? because you think we?re better this year? Or because we?re going to be just as bad and a change will be made?

We're going to be better. That may only be 4-8. But we're not getting beat by 24 at home to a G5 this year. And we're not losing our next 12 sec games by double digits.

[STATEBALLIN]

We're going to be better. That may only be 4-8. But we're not getting beat by 24 at home to a G5 this year. And we're not losing our next 12 sec games by double digits.

What I was thinking. Thanks

[Coach34]

First paragraph is true. And on our 2023 roster we actually spent way less than half of what they spent on their 2023 roster.

But those Numbers have nothing to do with 2025 numbers. I'm not even sure they are spending more on their 2025 roster than we are. But if they are, it's not by a lot.
It's much more of a fair fight now. Gap is fixing to close if we have/get the head coach piece right.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Texas A&amp;M student-athletes received a combined $51.4 million in NIL compensation from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, according to figures received through open records .<br><br>Men&#39;s sports received a combined $49.2M. Women&#39;s sports received a combined $2.2M:<a href="https://t.co/s4MkFPBc1x">https://t.co/s4MkFPBc1x</a></p>&mdash; Alex Miller (@AlexMill20) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexMill20/status/1947336745994932625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


I dont think the gap is going to close. These programs will keep spending whatever they need to over the rev share. They dont want parity. They want championships.

[parabrave]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Texas A&M student-athletes received a combined $51.4 million in NIL compensation from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, according to figures received through open records .<br><br>Men's sports received a combined $49.2M. Women's sports received a combined $2.2M:<a href="https://t.co/s4MkFPBc1x">https://t.co/s4MkFPBc1x</a></p>— Alex Miller (@AlexMill20) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexMill20/status/1947336745994932625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


I dont think the gap is going to close. These programs will keep spending whatever they need to over the rev share. They dont want parity. They want championships.

And TAM just signed this 4star lineman from Pascagoula.

[Coach34]

Our HS recruiting this cycle is bad. And we dont have the money to portal our way to big things. Football is done

I suggest you enjoy the 2 other sports we can compete in

[Coach34]

and for those of you that say "we just need the right coach"......bullshit

No coach with big dreams is coming to take this job. And dont compare this to baseball. In baseball- We have Top 10 money and tradition. In football- we have Top 40 money

[Dawgology]

Love this place with all my heart, but I have never been closer to finding something else to support. Leach dying and then everything the sport is supposed to stand for just dying woth it has really hurt me

Right there with you. Leach?s passing really dinged my joy in college football and then the fallout followed by the rise of NIL and unmitigated transfers just killed the whole thing for me. I watch NFL way more now.

[BuckyIsAB****]

Winning cures all. I do think that Lebby was a completely predicatable uninspiring hire. What has he done that endears himself to the fan base? All he does is use coach speak and it has gotten old pretty fast. I do think that this off-season was a lot lot better than his first one. The kids played hard in all but 2 games for him. He is a pretty good OC. If we beat ASU or Tennessee all will be back right with the world.

That said, I am going to agree with 34 here. We may want to prepare ourselves for a world in which MS State football is the 3rd sport on campus. Idk about y?all but I would be buying some purple and gold if that happens. Say what you want about them, but they have the most fun in the country week in and week out

[BuckyIsAB****]

And they hate OM too. Just saying

[Todd4State]

You sure have it in for one of the best coaches in our history (if not the best). And, like you, I'm a huge JWS fan, but Dan is as good or better.

I just want what's best for MSU football. And having MSU's version of Ron Polk 2.0 is not what's best for MSU.

It's just that hiring Dan Mullen back sounds like the exact move that MSU would make and have it end poorly for all involved with MSU regretting it later.

[Todd4State]

and for those of you that say "we just need the right coach"......bullshit

No coach with big dreams is coming to take this job. And dont compare this to baseball. In baseball- We have Top 10 money and tradition. In football- we have Top 40 money

Except that practically every coach we have had here minus Arnett has had successful seasons. Successful being defined as 8+ wins going back to the 1970's.

Tyler- 9 wins in 74 and 76
Bellard- 9 wins in 1980 and 8 in 1981
Felker- Bad hire
Sherrill- Multiple 8-10 win seasons. And I'm pretty sure MSU could find a retread like him to coach here. Which is probably what we need if Lebby doesn't work out.
Croom- 8 wins in 2007. Yes, that Croom.
Dan- Multiple 8-10 win seasons
Moorhead- 8 wins in 2018
Leach- 9 wins in 2022.
Arnett- LOL
Lebby- TBD

The reality is our ceiling is what Ole Miss is doing. We can act envious of them but the fact of the matter is Kiffin hasn't really done anything at Ole Miss that hasn't been done at MSU before. In fact their 2024 season was almost a mirror image of the 2018 season we had under Moorhead except they didn't have to play Alabama which would have also been a loss for them and we played a solid Iowa team which didn't have any opt outs. You know- that Moorhead season where everyone knew it wasn't going to work out?

Even though money is a big part of this- so is talent evaluation and development. And that's where the Texas A&M's are lacking.

For what we're paying Lebby I guarantee you we could pull Sumrall from Tulane or Kinne from Texas State and let them use us as a stepping stone.

[Todd4State]

Right there with you. Leach?s passing really dinged my joy in college football and then the fallout followed by the rise of NIL and unmitigated transfers just killed the whole thing for me. I watch NFL way more now.

MSU handled Leach's passing as piss poorly as possible on so many levels. We'll be back soon but in the meantime we're about to find out if Lebby is Dan 2.0 or if he is simply a program stabilizer like Croom and Felker.

[basedog]

and for those of you that say "we just need the right coach"......bullshit

No coach with big dreams is coming to take this job. And dont compare this to baseball. In baseball- We have Top 10 money and tradition. In football- we have Top 40 money

Say what, "the right coach" isn't important? Come on 34 it is the most important position for any sport. Morehead, Arnett, are the perfect example for not having the right coach!!!! We have had many wrong coaches, picking the right one does not mean he has to be a blood blood coach!

[Goldendawg]

I just want what's best for MSU football. And having MSU's version of Ron Polk 2.0 is not what's best for MSU.

It's just that hiring Dan Mullen back sounds like the exact move that MSU would make and have it end poorly for all involved with MSU regretting it later.

Know he's trying to recruit to UNLV, but have you looked at their recruiting class ranking?

[Coach34]

Say what, "the right coach" isn't important? Come on 34 it is the most important position for any sport. Morehead, Arnett, are the perfect example for not having the right coach!!!! We have had many wrong coaches, picking the right one does not mean he has to be a blood blood coach!

We can certainly get a good coach- hell Lebby has been a good coach in his career so far. I just think whats going on in college football right now is ridiculous and so many factors affect things now other than actual coaching

[Coach34]

Except that practically every coach we have had here minus Arnett has had successful seasons. Successful being defined as 8+ wins going back to the 1970's.

Tyler- 9 wins in 74 and 76
Bellard- 9 wins in 1980 and 8 in 1981
Felker- Bad hire
Sherrill- Multiple 8-10 win seasons. And I'm pretty sure MSU could find a retread like him to coach here. Which is probably what we need if Lebby doesn't work out.
Croom- 8 wins in 2007. Yes, that Croom.
Dan- Multiple 8-10 win seasons
Moorhead- 8 wins in 2018
Leach- 9 wins in 2022.
Arnett- LOL
Lebby- TBD

The reality is our ceiling is what Ole Miss is doing. We can act envious of them but the fact of the matter is Kiffin hasn't really done anything at Ole Miss that hasn't been done at MSU before. In fact their 2024 season was almost a mirror image of the 2018 season we had under Moorhead except they didn't have to play Alabama which would have also been a loss for them and we played a solid Iowa team which didn't have any opt outs. You know- that Moorhead season where everyone knew it wasn't going to work out?

Even though money is a big part of this- so is talent evaluation and development. And that's where the Texas A&M's are lacking.

For what we're paying Lebby I guarantee you we could pull Sumrall from Tulane or Kinne from Texas State and let them use us as a stepping stone.

Tyler- got us on probation
Bellard- won with Tyler's recruits then bottomed out
Felker
Jackie- The Father of MSU football. Did a great job
Croom- had 1 winning season in 5 years- and that one took some miracles with defensive TD's winning games
Mullen- built on what Jackie was doing and elevated the program
Moorhead- took over a loaded team and made it average
Leach- won with primarily Moorhead/Mullen's recruits and failed to recruit before his passing
Arnett- had almost no NIL to work with a new NIL Era
Lebby- coaching in a new era of college football in which we lag behind

[basedog]

We can certainly get a good coach- hell Lebby has been a good coach in his career so far. I just think whats going on in college football right now is ridiculous and so many factors affect things now other than actual coaching

I can't disagree with what you say. We are not a easy school to be in as far as HC past history BUT over the last 30 years we have gotten better with 3 good college coaches for us, JWS, DM and the Pirate. And in those years we also had Croom, Joe Mo and Arnett, image that?

[confucius say]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Texas A&amp;M student-athletes received a combined $51.4 million in NIL compensation from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, according to figures received through open records .<br><br>Men&#39;s sports received a combined $49.2M. Women&#39;s sports received a combined $2.2M:<a href="https://t.co/s4MkFPBc1x">https://t.co/s4MkFPBc1x</a></p>&mdash; Alex Miller (@AlexMill20) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexMill20/status/1947336745994932625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


I dont think the gap is going to close. These programs will keep spending whatever they need to over the rev share. They dont want parity. They want championships.

Everybody went way over from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 to get deals in before the House settlement took effect July 1 and deals had to be cleared by Deloitte. Including us. We spent over 10 million last month alone.

But back to the point of my post, the gap between us and OM has closed completely or almost completely. Of course we will never spend what Texas and Aggie do. But that's been the case for decades.

[confucius say]

Our HS recruiting this cycle is bad. And we dont have the money to portal our way to big things. Football is done

I suggest you enjoy the 2 other sports we can compete in

Agree on high school recruiting this cycle.

But respectfully, you have no clue how much we are spending on our 2025 football roster and how much each of the other 15 teams in the league are spending, much less 2026 and 2027.

[Coach34]

I can't disagree with what you say. We are not a easy school to be in as far as HC past history BUT over the last 30 years we have gotten better with 3 good college coaches for us, JWS, DM and the Pirate. And in those years we also had Croom, Joe Mo and Arnett, image that?

But those days are over. Even if we recruit ok and develop them- they just gonna leave in the portal for a bigger payday. The development part where we were excelling has been taken away from us

[Coach34]

Agree on high school recruiting this cycle.

But respectfully, you have no clue how much we are spending on our 2025 football roster and how much each of the other 15 teams in the league are spending, much less 2026 and 2027.

I know you think we are in the thick of things but I can assure you that we are not. We'll keep seeing it play out moving forward

[confucius say]

I know you think we are in the thick of things but I can assure you that we are not. We'll keep seeing it play out moving forward

Compared to Texas and Aggie? No we are not.
Compared to the bottom 8 in the league, we very much are. Which has been the case our entire lives.
Again, we spent 8 figures in June alone.

[Hot Rock]

a lower time in MSU football history and I go back 45+ years. Maybe Felker one year or Croom a few years. Idk. MSU fans are eternal optimists but just no juice about anything.

I know portal and NIL, etc are also part to blame but we need something good to happen soon.

Apathy is sleeping at our doorstep.

I was at the 3-2 Auburn game... yes, it was lower than what I see right now.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Everybody went way over from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 to get deals in before the House settlement took effect July 1 and deals had to be cleared by Deloitte. Including us. We spent over 10 million last month alone.

But back to the point of my post, the gap between us and OM has closed completely or almost completely. Of course we will never spend what Texas and Aggie do. But that's been the case for decades.

I know we went over big time from June 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025 because of what was coming down the pipe.

[confucius say]

I know we went over big time from June 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025 because of what was coming down the pipe.

Correct. 8 figures.

[EdwardDrayton]

I'd say the opposite, there's no more pessimistic, self loathing, low T fanbase in the country.

Bull$hit

[Bothrops]

In my younger yeats, I would really anticipate the start of new seasons following bad ones hoping the nausea and throwing up was over, only to get queasy again by the 3rd or 4th series in the first game lol. There's nothing like being a State fan, well...maybe Cleveland

[maroonmania]

Compared to Texas and Aggie? No we are not.
Compared to the bottom 8 in the league, we very much are. Which has been the case our entire lives.
Again, we spent 8 figures in June alone.

Yea, Texas and Texas A&M are the 2 richest school in the country. Not a lot of schools are able to spend close to what they are spending.

[MoreCowbell]

Love this place with all my heart, but I have never been closer to finding something else to support. Leach dying and then everything the sport is supposed to stand for just dying woth it has really hurt me

Yeah I really don?t care about our football anymore. Love basketball and baseball

[CaptainObvious]

I would say that anyone who would accept 4 wins this year doesn't care about State Football any more.

[RezDog7]

I would say that anyone who would accept 4 wins this year doesn't care about State Football any more.
We may not accept it, but we're gonna get it....hopefully.

[Brobi-wan]

I would say that anyone who would accept 4 wins this year doesn't care about State Football any more.

Fitting handle for this comment. I concur. Probably no way around that total.

[Goldendawg]

Just got my weekly e-mail from the Bulldog Club:

Are you interested in Premium Seating in The Scoreboard Club, Floyd Wade Jr. Club, TraxPlus Gridion Club , or more Premium seating?

Want Individual game tickets?

Also limited Season Tickets available in the 100 and 200 sections.

Home opener against AZ State starting at iess than $25.

MSU Section tickets at USM opener still available at $40.

Wow, we need to win some games and look good and promising in losses or DWS will indeed look very empty except the lower East side where MSU staff sell their tickets to opposing SEC fans!

[Political Hack]

Just got my weekly e-mail from the Bulldog Club:

Are you interested in Premium Seating in The Scoreboard Club, Floyd Wade Jr. Club, TraxPlus Gridion Club , or more Premium seating?

Want Individual game tickets?

Also limited Season Tickets available in the 100 and 200 sections.

Home opener against AZ State starting at iess than $25.

MSU Section tickets at USM opener still available at $40.

Wow, we need to win some games and look good and promising in losses or DWS will indeed look very empty except the lower East side where MSU staff sell their tickets to opposing SEC fans!

Should've kept letting me run recruiting.***

[BuckyIsAB****]

Tyler- got us on probation
Bellard- won with Tyler's recruits then bottomed out
Felker
Jackie- The Father of MSU football. Did a great job
Croom- had 1 winning season in 5 years- and that one took some miracles with defensive TD's winning games
Mullen- built on what Jackie was doing and elevated the program
Moorhead- took over a loaded team and made it average
Leach- won with primarily Moorhead/Mullen's recruits and failed to recruit before his passing
Arnett- had almost no NIL to work with a new NIL Era
Lebby- coaching in a new era of college football in which we lag behind

Leach won with some one else?s recruits?? He coached 3 years dude. And his last one was 9 wins. Dudek should have never been in charge of anything and leach definitely was not a croooter but that is just a stupid ignorant argument.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Leach won with some one else?s recruits?? He coached 3 years dude. And his last one was 9 wins. Dudek should have never been in charge of anything and leach definitely was not a croooter but that is just a stupid ignorant argument.

It's a stupid argument but there's a lot of merit in it. I mean look at his best players, a lot of them were Moorhead recruits. Now where I think the argument becomes stupid is this, Leach still coached them and definitely got more out of them than Joe would have, but they by and large were Joe's recruits. On to your other point, yes it was extremely stupid to put Emerick and Dudek in charge of recruiting back to back, but Leach did it. He's the HC and made that decision so unfortunately it falls at his feet.

[DownwardDawg]

Should've kept letting me run recruiting.***

Hahaha!!! Very underrated comment!!!!! I had forgotten all about that!!!! (It's for members only)

[Todd4State]

Should've kept letting me run recruiting.***

If the Bulldog Initiative or whatever they call it hires you I will cry and be incredibly proud of the moment.

[Todd4State]

It's a stupid argument but there's a lot of merit in it. I mean look at his best players, a lot of them were Moorhead recruits. Now where I think the argument becomes stupid is this, Leach still coached them and definitely got more out of them than Joe would have, but they by and large were Joe's recruits. On to your other point, yes it was extremely stupid to put Emerick and Dudek in charge of recruiting back to back, but Leach did it. He's the HC and made that decision so unfortunately it falls at his feet.

Leach was good enough to win 8-9 games without 4-5 star recruits. Which is why he is a HOF coach.

Really the biggest drop was on defense which is more on Arnett.

[R2Dawg]

Leach was good enough to win 8-9 games without 4-5 star recruits. Which is why he is a HOF coach.

Really the biggest drop was on defense which is more on Arnett.

The first year or two, the D stayed on the field because the O coudn't sustain a drive - among lowest TOP of any P5. D talent began to drop significantly after 19, if some Covid players had not stayed, we'd never won 9 in 22. Leach won 8 games once in 3 years.

The HC is responsible for O, D and ST last time I checked and also over recruiting, Can't blame CZA for that.

[Coach34]

The first year or two, the D stayed on the field because the O coudn't sustain a drive - among lowest TOP of any P5. D talent began to drop significantly after 19, if some Covid players had not stayed, we'd never won 9 in 22. Leach won 8 games once in 3 years.

The HC is responsible for O, D and ST last time I checked and also over recruiting, Can't blame CZA for that.

most of the defense, Marks and Johnson at RB, Ducking/Griffin/Harvey were all recruited to State or on campus when Leach took over- these guys led the way on most production in 2022 when Leach won 8 games

[Todd4State]

The first year or two, the D stayed on the field because the O coudn't sustain a drive - among lowest TOP of any P5. D talent began to drop significantly after 19, if some Covid players had not stayed, we'd never won 9 in 22. Leach won 8 games once in 3 years.

The HC is responsible for O, D and ST last time I checked and also over recruiting, Can't blame CZA for that.

Who was in charge of recruiting the defensive side of the ball and why didn't it get better when Leach, Dudek, and Emerick all left? Only one common denominator there. You're basically criticizing Leach for not micromanaging the team.

Of course Leach's team won 9 games once in three years. He was basically following the same career trends he always had and would have continued to win 8-9 games had he lived.

TOP is the most worthless stat in the game. The job of the offense is to score. The job of the defense is to stop the other team from scoring. Period. I can think of several times in 2022 when Arnett's defense got absolutely gutted after the offense scored. If they needed the offense to sustain drives so they could rest they were a bunch of pussies like their DC turned out to be.

[R2Dawg]

Who was in charge of recruiting the defensive side of the ball and why didn't it get better when Leach, Dudek, and Emerick all left? Only one common denominator there. You're basically criticizing Leach for not micromanaging the team.

Of course Leach's team won 9 games once in three years. He was basically following the same career trends he always had and would have continued to win 8-9 games had he lived.

TOP is the most worthless stat in the game. The job of the offense is to score. The job of the defense is to stop the other team from scoring. Period. I can think of several times in 2022 when Arnett's defense got absolutely gutted after the offense scored. If they needed the offense to sustain drives so they could rest they were a bunch of pussies like their DC turned out to be.

If you think the HC shouldn't be involved in recruiting the whole team and who is ultimately responsible, then if our decision makers think that way, therein lies one big issue.

The career trends thing don't apply to SEC. Leach said so himself. He wanted to see if he could do it in best conf in America. Doing that in powderpuff football ain't hard. Gald he got to go out on a winning note, but that trend wasn't going to happen in SEC. It was going to be bad regardless. He done said he didn't care if Johnson was there or not. You think talent is going to stay in NIL era with that approach?

TOP is fine if you score; problem is we were not scoring. We scored most our points in garbage time. Our D is all that kept us in most games. The only big points we put up was against the Samfords of the world.

[Coach34]

The career trends thing don't apply to SEC. Leach said so himself. He wanted to see if he could do it in best conf in America. Doing that in powderpuff football ain't hard. Gald he got to go out on a winning note, but that trend wasn't going to happen in SEC. It was going to be bad regardless. He done said he didn't care if Johnson was there or not. You think talent is going to stay in NIL era with that approach?.

This is correct. The lack of recruiting was catching up. Bert Bielema was a bigtime winner in the BTen. Came to the SEC and got his ass handed to him. Bert returned to the BTen- and is winning again at a program that hasnt had alot of success historically.

[Todd4State]

If you think the HC shouldn't be involved in recruiting the whole team and who is ultimately responsible, then if our decision makers think that way, therein lies one big issue.

The career trends thing don't apply to SEC. Leach said so himself. He wanted to see if he could do it in best conf in America. Doing that in powderpuff football ain't hard. Gald he got to go out on a winning note, but that trend wasn't going to happen in SEC. It was going to be bad regardless. He done said he didn't care if Johnson was there or not. You think talent is going to stay in NIL era with that approach?

TOP is fine if you score; problem is we were not scoring. We scored most our points in garbage time. Our D is all that kept us in most games. The only big points we put up was against the Samfords of the world.

Well, he did do it so the trend still applies. Really the only thing that stopped us from 8+ wins in 2021 was not having a kicker. And the fact that with his "bad recruiting" he was able to land a QB that is up the Heisman at Baylor right now that Arnett ran off for Mike Wright and his goofy hat, plus our renewed improvement in NIL I feel pretty safe in saying that the trend would have continued. And he certainly would have won more than Arnett did in 2023 with a group of mostly seniors running an offense they were recruited for. Trends are a lot more accurate and reliable than biases such as "powder puff football" especially when he was winning with it.

It didn't matter if Dillion Johnson left or not- he played the most expendable skill position in the game. That's why Leach didn't care if he left or not.

And to show that you are just making up BS- we were 7th in the SEC in TOP in 2022. Right in the middle. The team with the lowest TOP was Tennessee by a good six minutes more than MSU. They also led the SEC in PPG that year. Poor defense right? There was no way they could ever rest their poor darling hearts. Nope- their defense allowed fewer PPG than Arnett's that year.

Also, I guess the 40+ points against Arkansas and MSU cult hero Kendall Briles, 40+ against Texas A&M, and 39 in back to back games is "not scoring"? Oh wait because we had to go to overtime to bail out the defense which completely choked against Auburn.

[Todd4State]

This is correct. The lack of recruiting was catching up. Bert Bielema was a bigtime winner in the BTen. Came to the SEC and got his ass handed to him. Bert returned to the BTen- and is winning again at a program that hasnt had alot of success historically.

I would say based on his career at Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Illinois it's looking a lot like Arkansas and Illinois is the trend for him and Wisconsin was a short peak outside the norm. Especially considering that Illinois is in the Big 10.

[Coach34]

Well, he did do it so the trend still applies. Really the only thing that stopped us from 8+ wins in 2021 was not having a kicker. And the fact that with his "bad recruiting" he was able to land a QB that is up the Heisman at Baylor right now that Arnett ran off for Mike Wright and his goofy hat, plus our renewed improvement in NIL I feel pretty safe in saying that the trend would have continued. And he certainly would have won more than Arnett did in 2023 with a group of mostly seniors running an offense they were recruited for. Trends are a lot more accurate and reliable than biases such as "powder puff football" especially when he was winning with it.

It didn't matter if Dillion Johnson left or not- he played the most expendable skill position in the game. That's why Leach didn't care if he left or not.

And to show that you are just making up BS- we were 7th in the SEC in TOP in 2022. Right in the middle. The team with the lowest TOP was Tennessee by a good six minutes more than MSU. They also led the SEC in PPG that year. Poor defense right? There was no way they could ever rest their poor darling hearts. Nope- their defense allowed fewer PPG than Arnett's that year.

Also, I guess the 40+ points against Arkansas and MSU cult hero Kendall Briles, 40+ against Texas A&M, and 39 in back to back games is "not scoring"? Oh wait because we had to go to overtime to bail out the defense which completely choked against Auburn.

Leach did a great job maximizing the talent recruited for him and bringing in some WRs. I mean even Rogers was recruited by JoVester. He left the program bare in recruiting with the younger guys. The fact we were so devoid of talent in 2024 is directly on Leach's shoulders

[Todd4State]

Leach did a great job maximizing the talent recruited for him and bringing in some WRs. I mean even Rogers was recruited by JoVester. He left the program bare in recruiting with the younger guys. The fact we were so devoid of talent in 2024 is directly on Leach's shoulders

Not with the portal and two full cycles passed it isn't. The fact of the matter is recruiting got even worse once he passed away. You can literally bring in an entirely new team every offseason if you want to now. Essentially what Ole Miss does almost. And what Lebby did this year. There were players like Makhai Polk and Gardner Minchew that wanted to play for Leach because he was a HOF coach. No one wanted to play for Kevin Barbay because he sucked and they had to lie to keep Leach's players around to play for the guy.

[Coach34]

Not with the portal and two full cycles passed it isn't. The fact of the matter is recruiting got even worse once he passed away. You can literally bring in an entirely new team every offseason if you want to now. Essentially what Ole Miss does almost. And what Lebby did this year. There were players like Makhai Polk and Gardner Minchew that wanted to play for Leach because he was a HOF coach. No one wanted to play for Kevin Barbay because he sucked and they had to lie to keep Leach's players around to play for the guy.

But we didnt have the NIL set up ready for that. Which would have hampered Leach as well

[War Machine Dawg]

Maybe Kamario Taylor can be that spark we need

Let's assume he is. He'll be tapped up by a Bama, UGA, TX, etc and offered more than we can hope to match or beat. He'll hit the portal and be wearing a new jersey next season. We just don't have the resources required to compete in the age of unlimited money and unlimited transfers. The best sport ever has been completely ruined. I can't remember ever being less excited about an upcoming season. I'm much, much more invested in the English Premier League. That's a statement I'd have never believed I'd make in my life, but here I am.

[JimBobDawg]

Unfortunately, it has been worse. I lived through 1966-1969: 5 wins over 4 seasons.
I lived through the same era. It was brutal.