Sunday Morning QB With SVS-Jimmys and Joes Still Matter More Than Xs and Os

[StarkVegasSteve]

Yesterday went how you expect games with talent gaps to go. UGA did whatever they wanted with the ball on offense and, sans the first drive, did whatever they wanted to on defense. Injuries are really starting to mount for us and that could be a concern moving forward.

1. I thought Shapen played ok. The first drive was a thing of beauty. We were perfectly tempo?d and even with the sack he makes a great dump off to West that got us back in front of the sticks. I thought the 2nd and 3rd drives were the killers for us. We get a false start the first play of the second drive and then get a BS chop block penalty. On the 3rd drive after the fumble, Evans is held on a double move that is a 95 yd TD. On that same drive Shapen takes a costly sack looking for Thompson, who came open at the end. He then fumbles on a scramble 2 plays later. Shapen had no time but did not do himself any favors either. The hit backside, which is not his fault but some will say it is, looked like it dislocated his shoulder.

2. If you are going to make the switch, you do it this week. Kamario was ok yesterday. His youth showed as much as his athleticism did. But if your line is going to suck, like ours does, you need someone back there that is more run threat than pass threat anyways. He is that. He made a good pass to Thompson, and actually underthrew him a bit, and made a good pass in the intermediate to Thompson as well. He also was closer to my buddy in the Gridiron Club than Anthony Evans when it was 17-7 and Evans had a step for a TD, damn near hit Lebby trying to throw a swing to Ayden, and threw an off target deep ball into double coverage. He is a freshman though. That will happen. Right now, he reminds me of Joe Milton. And you can win the last two with Joe Milton. You can also lose them. I thought for the most part the coaches kept it simple one read stuff with him. You are going to have to open it up more the next two weeks if you make the move.

3. I personally hold Shapen out this week and go to Kamario. If he struggles you go back to Shapen and if he thrives you give Golding and Co. a ton to think about.

4. We need to go back to Booth being the feature back. Fluff is not healthy and he is a between the tackles back. With how our line is, we do not need a between the tackles back. That was a bad drop on the 4th down by Bothwell. We can get into was it a good idea to call it or not another time but it was a bad drop.

5. I thought their pressure kept our WRs from really getting into the flow. Credit to them on that. I am becoming more and more impressed with Sam West as the weeks go on. I think he has a chance to be a big part of the offense next year.

6. Our O Line is crap. Unfortunately the die was cast on that well before Phil Loadholt. Bad evals by Leach, Arnett, and even Lebby have us in this situation. Add in injuries and you have the line we have. Young, out of position, and just not very cohesive.

7. DL looked like the DL of 2024 yesterday. No pressure and no push. We have to get better there in the portal. I know Lebby hates changing up the staff, but it is time for David Turner to go.

8. The LB group and DB group can kind of be lumped together. Kelley Jones is really talented and Brumfield can play at this level. The rest are depth guys in the DB room. Our LB room is just young. Jalen Smith and Lockhart are going to be really good but are not there. The injury to Isaac is a major concern. No way around that. Thought Tony played well in his absence though.

9. We desperately need a win. The national media continually talks about how much we have improved but our own fan base is out because we lost to the number 5 team in the country. Thankfully the people who actually make a difference in NIL donations do not think like the $5 fans who want to tell Lebby the play call with their $60 a year contribution.

10. We also need a win because if we lose next week, Ole Miss is probably going to make DWS Vaught Hemingway East on Black Friday. And that goes back to buy in. The University has given this fanbase everything they have wanted. They wanted to go away from the Block M and go to the script? They got it. They wanted an improved team? They got it. They wanted LED lights? They got it. They wanted to go away from the script and to the interlocking? They got it. At some point, our fans have to do their part. THEY HAVE TO SHOW UP. You can miss your plate of Thanksgiving leftovers and get your ass to DWS on Black Friday. You can even drive back after the game so complaining about hotels cannot be an argument. Of course I am sure the argument now is that the tickets are too expensive and they do not want to sit in the upper deck. Somehow OM fans find a way. We need to start finding the same way.


HailState

[Todd4State]

Well said! Joe Milton is the perfect comparison to KT at this point. Thankfully KT is a freshman and will likely get much better and the comparisons will be to other QB's.

And 110% on the last point. Personally, I drive 5 hours and got up at 3:30 AM to get to work after attending the game. If I can do it everyone else can.

[LC Dawg]

The amount of opposition fans in our stadium is one of the most disappointing things about this season. The Egg Bowl could be ugly.

[EdwardDrayton]

Spot on game recap. Stick to that and leave out the fan comments. That is not unifying and likely does not reflect the majority.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Spot on game recap. Stick to that and leave out the fan comments. That is not unifying and likely does not reflect the majority.

It unfortunately does represent the majority. And I will say this is not a new thing, this has been happening for the last seven or eight years. It boils down to people made it a priority to come to ball games in the Mullen era and now they do not. And look, how you spend your money is completely up to you. I am not going to begrudge anybody because they would rather go hunting, watch the game at home, or something else. But when people complain about our stadium being taken over by opposing fan bases I’m going to call it out for what it is. Buy in does not get your stadium taken over by whatever fan base you are playing. Unified is being 100% bought in. Our fan base is not 100% bought in. And now the new reason is going to be because Kamario is not starting.

This goes back to a point I have made 100 times, our fan base looks for reasons not to come and not to donate. Other fan bases look for reasons to come and for reasons to donate.

[Coursesuper]

Spot on game recap. Stick to that and leave out the fan comments. That is not unifying and likely does not reflect the majority.

The truth is many times hard to hear but that doesn?t make any of his comments less relevant. We have to show up, period, that is our part of the equation. The administration is doing its part it?s time to reciprocate.

[Coursesuper]

It unfortunately does represent the majority. And I will say this is not a new thing, this has been happening for the last seven or eight years. It boils down to people made it a priority to come to ball games in the Mullen era and now they do not. And look, how you spend your money is completely up to you. I am not going to begrudge anybody because they would rather go hunting, watch the game at home, or something else. But when people complain about our stadium being taken over by opposing fan bases I’m going to call it out for what it is. Buy in does not get your stadium taken over by whatever fan base you are playing. Unified is being 100% bought in. Our fan base is not 100% bought in. And now the new reason is going to be because Kamario is not starting.

This goes back to a point I have made 100 times, our fan base looks for reasons not to come and not to donate. Other fan bases look for reasons to come and for reasons to donate.

That is an almost perfect description of the situation.

[EdwardDrayton]

It unfortunately does represent the majority. And I will say this is not a new thing, this has been happening for the last seven or eight years. It boils down to people made it a priority to come to ball games in the Mullen era and now they do not. And look, how you spend your money is completely up to you. I am not going to begrudge anybody because they would rather go hunting, watch the game at home, or something else. But when people complain about our stadium being taken over by opposing fan bases I’m going to call it out for what it is. Buy in does not get your stadium taken over by whatever fan base you are playing. Unified is being 100% bought in. Our fan base is not 100% bought in. And now the new reason is going to be because Kamario is not starting.

This goes back to a point I have made 100 times, our fan base looks for reasons not to come and not to donate. Other fan bases look for reasons to come and for reasons to donate.

It's your pulpit. You of course can preach your opinion from it.

[Todd4State]

If I were MSU I would delay selling any unused tickets until a day or two before the games. I know that's bad business but I think that's the only solution really.

[EdwardDrayton]

The truth is many times hard to hear but that doesn?t make any of his comments less relevant. We have to show up, period, that is our part of the equation. The administration is doing its part it?s time to reciprocate.

Knew you'd be coming in short order to back up the narrative.

[StarkVegasSteve]

It's your pulpit. You of course can preach your opinion from it.

Well the bury your head in the sand and act like there is no problem approach is not working. We have a fractured fan base. Only a true sunshine pumper would tell you differently. NIL was where the fractures began. Cohen started dividing the fan base telling people football did not need NIL. He convinced Leach it was not needed so that baseball could take the funds. That is truly where this fracture started. John Cohen. He truly was the worst thing to ever happen to our athletic dept.

[StarkVegasSteve]

If I were MSU I would delay selling any unused tickets until a day or two before the games. I know that's bad business but I think that's the only solution really.

I do not disagree. We have to do something to combat our stadium being taken over by literally EVERY SEC fanbase that we play. Because I doubt season ticket sales will be any better this offseason to combat some of that issue. Because let me tell you, it may have started as faculty selling their tickets, but it is WAY more than faculty now.

[EdwardDrayton]

Well the bury your head in the sand and act like there is no problem approach is not working. We have a fractured fan base. Only a true sunshine pumper would tell you differently. NIL was where the fractures began. Cohen started dividing the fan base telling people football did not need NIL. He convinced Leach it was not needed so that baseball could take the funds. That is truly where this fracture started. John Cohen. He truly was the worst thing to ever happen to our athletic dept.

We each know where the other stands on this subject so no point in belaboring. Let's get back to being MSU fans together and talking how we get a sixth win and bowl eligible in the next two games.

[Coursesuper]

Knew you'd be coming in short order to back up the narrative.
This is not a narrative, just look up the road. That is what buy in looks like. From a booster class down to Earl at the tire store in Sebastopol they are bought in and showing up. They unlike us are able to get everyone on the same sheet of music while we bitch about the next new perceived affront to what we and our buddies want . We have for a short time had things together and it was a great time for us. But in the end our pettiness and division reared it head and stuck us with the worst AD since Dudy Noble and here we sit, at the bottom bitching about why we suck.

[msstate7]

1. The false start was a killer, but the chop block was declined so it didn't change anything.

I love KT, but the decision to bring him in on 1st and 15 in Georgia territory was bad. I still want him getting 2-4 series a game, but never on a 1st and longer than 10.

[StarkVegasSteve]

We each know where the other stands on this subject so no point in belaboring. Let's get back to being MSU fans together and talking how we get a sixth win and bowl eligible in the next two games.

I agree and would love nothing more than that. I just do not see us all coming together in two weeks and creating a unified front to have one goal: Show Up, Be Loud, and Cheer for the 11 players on the field in Maroon and White(no matter who it is).

[StarkVegasSteve]

1. The false start was a killer, but the chop block was declined so it didn't change anything.

I love KT, but the decision to bring him in on 1st and 15 in Georgia territory was bad. I still want him getting 2-4 series a game, but never on a 1st and longer than 10.

I did not agree with bringing him in at all right there, but was ok with it on 1st and 10. Shapen was moving us. We bring Kamario in, immediately get a false start, and then get a 2 yd gain. We were now behind the sticks. We should have went back to Shapen after the false start.

[msstate7]

I did not agree with bringing him in at all right there, but was ok with it on 1st and 10. Shapen was moving us. We bring Kamario in, immediately get a false start, and then get a 2 yd gain. We were now behind the sticks. We should have went back to Shapen after the false start.

I wasn't watching, but matt Wyatt said they ran KT out after the false start

[EdwardDrayton]

1. The false start was a killer, but the chop block was declined so it didn't change anything.

I love KT, but the decision to bring him in on 1st and 15 in Georgia territory was bad. I still want him getting 2-4 series a game, but never on a 1st and longer than 10.

Gotta play Shapen against Missouri if he's healthy. We will need some semblance of a passing game to loosen Missouri's aggressive and physical defense. We will need a somewhat balanced offense to win.

[TrapGame]

Starting Kamario against Mizzou should be a no brainer. Shapen took a huge hit Saturday and he will not be anywhere near 100% by Saturday.

I also like Kamario's skills to offset this Mizzou defense. Our OL is too beat up and sloppy to give an injured Shapen enough time to make a pass.

Kamario in the game means you have to spy him. That's an extra hat not in coverage on someone. We could get Fluff or Booth in the flat potentially uncovered.

[EdwardDrayton]

Did anyone hear about Blake's condition? He didn't appear in distress when they showed him standing on the sideline.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Starting Kamario against Mizzou should be a no brainer. Shapen took a huge hit Saturday and he will not be anywhere near 100% by Saturday.

I also like Kamario's skills to offset this Mizzou defense. Our OL is too beat up and sloppy to give an injured Shapen enough time to make a pass.

Kamario in the game means you have to spy him. That's an extra hat not in coverage on someone. We could get Fluff or Booth in the flat potentially uncovered.

Then I hope it is Booth. Fluff has trouble catching the ball. I do agree that starting Kamario is a no brainer with a potentially not 100% Shapen. I also think QB run could be an important part of the gameplan on Saturday.

[msstate7]

Did anyone hear about Blake's condition? He didn't appear in distress when they showed him standing on the sideline.

Coulda been a coach taking advantage of a chance to keep his starter from being totally destroyed and getting your young qb some snaps.

[msstate7]

Missouri leads the sec in rushing offense; we're 15th in rush defense. I hate this matchup

[EdwardDrayton]

Then I hope it is Booth. Fluff has trouble catching the ball. I do agree that starting Kamario is a no brainer with a potentially not 100% Shapen. I also think QB run could be an important part of the gameplan on Saturday.

I do think QB run should be used. But Missouri's defense is aggressive, physical and often tight to the LOS. We're going to have to successfully pass the ball to make the run game effective. We can do that if Blake is healthy. If not, we'll have to hope KT starts hitting his targets more frequently. Otherwise it will be a long day.

[Goldendawg]

I do not disagree. We have to do something to combat our stadium being taken over by literally EVERY SEC fanbase that we play. Because I doubt season ticket sales will be any better this offseason to combat some of that issue. Because let me tell you, it may have started as faculty selling their tickets, but it is WAY more than faculty now.

Until we start winning consistently, there will be thousands of tickets available. Heck, there were 3 GA fans on the row behind us in section 4 at very low rows. My hardcore five year old niece admonished me for speaking to them!***

[StarkVegasSteve]

I do think QB run should be used. But Missouri's defense is aggressive, physical and often tight to the LOS. We're going to have to successfully pass the ball to make the run game effective. We can do that if Blake is healthy. If not, we'll have to hope KT starts hitting his targets more frequently. Otherwise it will be a long day.

We are in a shit situation no matter which way you look at it.

Option 1: Play a, potentially, not 100% Shapen with a battered O Line against a team that likes to blitz.

Option 2: Play a true Freshman in his first true start on the road in a really tough environment. That Freshman is more mobile, which helps with the OL issues, but he is less accurate.

[EdwardDrayton]

Missouri leads the sec in rushing offense; we're 15th in rush defense. I hate this matchup

Yes, however their fresh boy QB is playing now and doesn't throw the ball well. So we will able to focus more on their run game.

[EdwardDrayton]

We are in a shit situation no matter which way you look at it.

Option 1: Play a, potentially, not 100% Shapen with a battered O Line against a team that likes to blitz.

Option 2: Play a true Freshman in his first true start on the road in a really tough environment. That Freshman is more mobile, which helps with the OL issues, but he is less accurate.

Lord, how many times in our history have we had the thought if only we could combine the two skill sets into one. Oy vey. I think eventually it can be KT. But that doesn't help us in a week. And, yes, the OL. <sigh>

[tcdog70]

We each know where the other stands on this subject so no point in belaboring. Let's get back to being MSU fans together and talking how we get a sixth win and bowl eligible in the next two games.

Let?s don?t overlook the fact our Coach died, we made huge mistake with Arnett. Then we hire Lebby, I like him but he has a long way to go with his in game Coaching. He keeps making head scratching decisions. We should already be bowl bound. The truth is we are getting out coached during the game. When you are playing #5 and have a chance to cut their lead to 1 score you don?t go on 4th and 4 . That fired up GA and took our fans out of the game. If Lebby learns how to Coach and we don?t go 0 for 15 in the SEC then our fans will come back.

[PGHBulldogBG]

I am way more disappointed in our fans than the game, the team or Lebby. Overall, they have exceeded expectations this year. Not only did we get some wins against ASU and a road SEC win at Arky who honestly isn?t as bad as this record indicates but we have been competitive against every team we have played outside the top 5. It?s one thing to not show up which is bad enough but the fact these visiting fans are buying these tickets is absolutely embarrassing and unacceptable. Everyone I?ve talked to not familiar with state who watched the game was cringing and we basically make all our home games just another home game for other teams. It is a joke and the reason I have no confidence we would ever get to the playoffs even with Saban coaching us

[bulldawg28]

Great analysis with the exception KT has accuracy problems. He's getting thrown into games with no opportunity of scripted plays as Shapen to settle into the game. However, once he relaxes as he always does he's game on. Everything about KT is upside in comparison against Shapen. We should use him the exact way A&M is using their Qb. KT is twice the passer he is and will only get better.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Great analysis with the exception KT has accuracy problems. He's getting thrown into games with no opportunity of scripted plays as Shapen to settle into the game. However, once he relaxes as he always does he's game on. Everything about KT is upside in comparison against Shapen. We should use him the exact way A&M is using their Qb. KT is twice the passer he is and will only get better.

Dude come on…..Reed is better in every facet of the game right now. First off, he is faster than Kamario. He also is more accurate. The faster is just god given ability. Kamario can work on the accuracy. He was inaccurate at all 3 levels yesterday. He was also accurate at 3 levels. So it is not so much an accuracy issue as a consistent accuracy issue. If he is the starter next week, we will do what A&M did last year with Reed. We will take out a lot of the deep shots and put in quick hitters where he makes one read and if that read is not WIDE ASS OPEN you run. You do not have the luxury to bring him along slowly like A&M got to do with Reed last year. They were able to add more and more each week. We have to run what Kamario can run and roll with that.

[bulldawg28]

Dude come on…..Reed is better in every facet of the game right now. First off, he is faster than Kamario. He also is more accurate. The faster is just god given ability. Kamario can work on the accuracy. He was inaccurate at all 3 levels yesterday. He was also accurate at 3 levels. So it is not so much an accuracy issue as a consistent accuracy issue. If he is the starter next week, we will do what A&M did last year with Reed. We will take out a lot of the deep shots and put in quick hitters where he makes one read and if that read is not WIDE ASS OPEN you run. You do not have the luxury to bring him along slowly like A&M got to do with Reed last year. They were able to add more and more each week. We have to run what Kamario can run and roll with that.

You're starting to sound like a hater. I doubt seriously he's faster. Reed has progressed as he should. However, KT is just as accurate and run the same offense right now.

[Ranchdawg]

If KT is the starting QB the next two games he will not be allowed to develop because he does not have offense line that is half way decent. He will not have time to make reads, he won’t have time to throw, he won’t be able to hand off because Oline can not block good enough for any resemblance of a running game and the rest of his snaps will be him running for his life. If Lebby doesn’t get some Oline in the portal we will look just like this year. SAD!

[Todd4State]

The right answer is to start Shapen and when he gets cold or knocked out you bring in KT.

Unless Shapen is out because of injury and in that case the decision is made for us.

[Todd4State]

If KT is the starting QB the next two games he will not be allowed to develop because he does not have offense line that is half way decent. He will not have time to make reads, he won’t have time to throw, he won’t be able to hand off because Oline can not block good enough for any resemblance of a running game and the rest of his snaps will be him running for his life. If Lebby doesn’t get some Oline in the portal we will look just like this year. SAD!

I'm 99% sure that both lines will be a point of emphasis for us in the portal this offseason.

[Ranchdawg]

I'm 99% sure that both lines will be a point of emphasis for us in the portal this offseason.

I damn sure hope so!

[StarkVegasSteve]

You're starting to sound like a hater. I doubt seriously he's faster. Reed has progressed as he should. However, KT is just as accurate and run the same offense right now.

I am not a hater. I think the kid is going to be great for us. But I see these expectations people are placing on him and I know they are not realistic. Also, Reed is faster. Reed was clocked at around 21 mph in full pads on a run this year. That is ROLLING. Reed is also in Year 2 of the Colin Klein system. Kamario has not had a full year in this system. They are not comparable. A more apt comparison would be Joe Milton in his first and second years in this same offense. Both physically imposing guys who have massive arm talent with accuracy issues from a consistency standpoint.

[tcdog70]

I am not a hater. I think the kid is going to be great for us. But I see these expectations people are placing on him and I know they are not realistic. Also, Reed is faster. Reed was clocked at around 21 mph in full pads on a run this year. That is ROLLING. Reed is also in Year 2 of the Colin Klein system. Kamario has not had a full year in this system. They are not comparable. A more apt comparison would be Joe Milton in his first and second years in this same offense. Both physically imposing guys who have massive arm talent with accuracy issues from a consistency standpoint.

I would think Bulldog 28 probably knows what He is talking about. Quit being so negative on every post about KT and you won’t sound like a hater. Hell, Stevie Wondef can see Shapen is a loser.He makes our OL look worse than they are. What is it Shapen does that you think is so great?

[Todd4State]

I damn sure hope so!

We're a work in progress as a program. Years of caveman football and being told that we had to overspend on running backs and that a coach can outscheme people like Alabama and Georgia will do that.

[tcdog70]

You're starting to sound like a hater. I doubt seriously he's faster. Reed has progressed as he should. However, KT is just as accurate and run the same offense right now.

KT went to several top rated passing camps this summer, he won every award they had. He was rated #1 passer in every camp.he can pass just fine,he just needs to play. When all is said and done He will be twice the QB Reed is.

[StarkVegasSteve]

I would think Bulldog 28 probably knows what He is talking about. Quit being so negative on every post about KT and you won?t sound like a hater. Hell, Stevie Wondef can see Shapen is a loser.He makes our OL look worse than they are. What is it Shapen does that you think is so great?

Well he can throw the ball a lot more accurately than Kamario, he has yet to hit someone in the Gridiron Club with the football(or Lebby with the football on a swing pass), and he can run the offense to the fullest. Kamario can not. Also, Stevie Wondef can see fine, Stevie Wonder is the blind one.

Some of y?all really need to stop getting so butthurt when people criticize Kamario. It is ok to say he has things he can work on. If he did not he would be starting. Pointing out flaws, while also highlighting what he does well, is not hating. Hating would be saying he is a no talent hack who is nothing more than a strong arm and a big body.

[StarkVegasSteve]

KT went to several top rated passing camps this summer, he won every award they had. He was rated #1 passer in every camp.he can pass just fine,he just needs to play. When all is said and done He will be twice the QB Reed is.

But hold on, I was told he already is that? Now you are saying he is not and, gasp, agreeing with me that he may be one day but is not currently.

[tcdog70]

But hold on, I was told he already is that? Now you are saying he is not and, gasp, agreeing with me that he may be one day but is not currently.

Dude, are you 12? So you saying KT bad swing pass was worse than the Shapen Interception in the FL game. On the next play KT ran for 24 yards and later scored on that drive. And for the record there ain’t much you post that I agree with. Just saying.

[bulldawg28]

I am not a hater. I think the kid is going to be great for us. But I see these expectations people are placing on him and I know they are not realistic. Also, Reed is faster. Reed was clocked at around 21 mph in full pads on a run this year. That is ROLLING. Reed is also in Year 2 of the Colin Klein system. Kamario has not had a full year in this system. They are not comparable. A more apt comparison would be Joe Milton in his first and second years in this same offense. Both physically imposing guys who have massive arm talent with accuracy issues from a consistency standpoint.

KT has been clocked at a 4.4, that's in the 21mph range as well. It's also obvious when he takes off he has a gear not common for a Qb. Alsi, Reed being in his 2nd year means nothing. We see Shapen whose been in his 6th year of college football and STILL makes freshman mistakes every weekend. Also, why do you harp on his expectations and try to down them? Comparisons is apart of sports banter. Being compared to Cam Newton is a compliment that should be embraced not shunned. KT has obviously been a baller since probably 5 years old. Let him have BIG expectations and go for them. If you're already comparing his true freshman play to a former 5th year senior that's now a 2nd string NFL Qb that's pretty good and not the insult you're opting it to be.

[basedog]

No doubt KT has ability, I’m looking forward to his progress in the near future. The more snaps he gets will improve his decision making. Very powerful running ability.

[R2Dawg]

Yesterday went how you expect games with talent gaps to go. UGA did whatever they wanted with the ball on offense and, sans the first drive, did whatever they wanted to on defense. Injuries are really starting to mount for us and that could be a concern moving forward.

1. I thought Shapen played ok. The first drive was a thing of beauty. We were perfectly tempo?d and even with the sack he makes a great dump off to West that got us back in front of the sticks. I thought the 2nd and 3rd drives were the killers for us. We get a false start the first play of the second drive and then get a BS chop block penalty. On the 3rd drive after the fumble, Evans is held on a double move that is a 95 yd TD. On that same drive Shapen takes a costly sack looking for Thompson, who came open at the end. He then fumbles on a scramble 2 plays later. Shapen had no time but did not do himself any favors either. The hit backside, which is not his fault but some will say it is, looked like it dislocated his shoulder.

2. If you are going to make the switch, you do it this week. Kamario was ok yesterday. His youth showed as much as his athleticism did. But if your line is going to suck, like ours does, you need someone back there that is more run threat than pass threat anyways. He is that. He made a good pass to Thompson, and actually underthrew him a bit, and made a good pass in the intermediate to Thompson as well. He also was closer to my buddy in the Gridiron Club than Anthony Evans when it was 17-7 and Evans had a step for a TD, damn near hit Lebby trying to throw a swing to Ayden, and threw an off target deep ball into double coverage. He is a freshman though. That will happen. Right now, he reminds me of Joe Milton. And you can win the last two with Joe Milton. You can also lose them. I thought for the most part the coaches kept it simple one read stuff with him. You are going to have to open it up more the next two weeks if you make the move.

3. I personally hold Shapen out this week and go to Kamario. If he struggles you go back to Shapen and if he thrives you give Golding and Co. a ton to think about.

4. We need to go back to Booth being the feature back. Fluff is not healthy and he is a between the tackles back. With how our line is, we do not need a between the tackles back. That was a bad drop on the 4th down by Bothwell. We can get into was it a good idea to call it or not another time but it was a bad drop.

5. I thought their pressure kept our WRs from really getting into the flow. Credit to them on that. I am becoming more and more impressed with Sam West as the weeks go on. I think he has a chance to be a big part of the offense next year.

6. Our O Line is crap. Unfortunately the die was cast on that well before Phil Loadholt. Bad evals by Leach, Arnett, and even Lebby have us in this situation. Add in injuries and you have the line we have. Young, out of position, and just not very cohesive.

7. DL looked like the DL of 2024 yesterday. No pressure and no push. We have to get better there in the portal. I know Lebby hates changing up the staff, but it is time for David Turner to go.

8. The LB group and DB group can kind of be lumped together. Kelley Jones is really talented and Brumfield can play at this level. The rest are depth guys in the DB room. Our LB room is just young. Jalen Smith and Lockhart are going to be really good but are not there. The injury to Isaac is a major concern. No way around that. Thought Tony played well in his absence though.

9. We desperately need a win. The national media continually talks about how much we have improved but our own fan base is out because we lost to the number 5 team in the country. Thankfully the people who actually make a difference in NIL donations do not think like the $5 fans who want to tell Lebby the play call with their $60 a year contribution.

10. We also need a win because if we lose next week, Ole Miss is probably going to make DWS Vaught Hemingway East on Black Friday. And that goes back to buy in. The University has given this fanbase everything they have wanted. They wanted to go away from the Block M and go to the script? They got it. They wanted an improved team? They got it. They wanted LED lights? They got it. They wanted to go away from the script and to the interlocking? They got it. At some point, our fans have to do their part. THEY HAVE TO SHOW UP. You can miss your plate of Thanksgiving leftovers and get your ass to DWS on Black Friday. You can even drive back after the game so complaining about hotels cannot be an argument. Of course I am sure the argument now is that the tickets are too expensive and they do not want to sit in the upper deck. Somehow OM fans find a way. We need to start finding the same way.


HailState

Dead wrong on #10. The fans and students have showed up and showed out all year. You can't put anything on the fans.

Yes UGA has more talent but on paper so did every team we played this year. We have top 25 talent. UGA outcoached us as we fell for every mis-direction play they ran. UGA played well and we didn't.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Dead wrong on #10. The fans and students have showed up and showed out all year. You can't put anything on the fans.

Yes UGA has more talent but on paper so did every team we played this year. We have top 25 talent. UGA outcoached us as we fell for every mis-direction play they ran. UGA played well and we didn't.

Students have absolutely shown up.

[Coach34]

Reed is in his 2nd year as an SEC QB also- huge difference

Reed has already thrown for 4K in his college career with 35 passing TD's. KT is talented- so is Reed. Saying KT is better than Reed at this point is straight homerism

[PGHBulldogBG]

Dead wrong on #10. The fans and students have showed up and showed out all year. You can't put anything on the fans.

Yes UGA has more talent but on paper so did every team we played this year. We have top 25 talent. UGA outcoached us as we fell for every mis-direction play they ran. UGA played well and we didn't.

LOL have you even watched the games? Our stadium is a home game outside the student section for the other SEC teams.

[Todd4State]

Dude, are you 12? So you saying KT bad swing pass was worse than the Shapen Interception in the FL game. On the next play KT ran for 24 yards and later scored on that drive. And for the record there ain’t much you post that I agree with. Just saying.

It's not as bad but it's not good either.

[Todd4State]

Reed is in his 2nd year as an SEC QB also- huge difference

Reed has already thrown for 4K in his college career with 35 passing TD's. KT is talented- so is Reed. Saying KT is better than Reed at this point is straight homerism

Exactly! We have too many fans that equate high school performance and Elite 11 camp performance to SEC football. And it's not even close to the same. KT is doing well for a freshman and I'm really encouraged by his progress but he still needs development.

[Todd4State]

KT has been clocked at a 4.4, that's in the 21mph range as well. It's also obvious when he takes off he has a gear not common for a Qb. Alsi, Reed being in his 2nd year means nothing. We see Shapen whose been in his 6th year of college football and STILL makes freshman mistakes every weekend. Also, why do you harp on his expectations and try to down them? Comparisons is apart of sports banter. Being compared to Cam Newton is a compliment that should be embraced not shunned. KT has obviously been a baller since probably 5 years old. Let him have BIG expectations and go for them. If you're already comparing his true freshman play to a former 5th year senior that's now a 2nd string NFL Qb that's pretty good and not the insult you're opting it to be.

There is a difference between having BIG and realistic expectations.

BIG expectations is expecting him to be Dak/Cam level by year three. The key here is that is also realistic because he will have a year starting under his belt, hopefully we will have more talent, and our schedule while difficult at least won't be complete bullshit like ours is this year.

Saying he is Cam Newton right now isn't realistic.

Our reality is right now we can either go with a QB who can pass and has thrown the game winning TD pass late in the game in our two best wins this year and runs the offense but is also really streaky or we can go with a QB who can make plays with his legs but is still limited as a passer and therefore limits what we can do as an offense. It is what it is. And the result is zero sum gain. The best thing to do is start Shapen and when he gets out of synch or hurt then put KT in. If nothing else it gives the opponents two QB's to gameplan for at least and then we can get the best out of both of them.

[Todd4State]

KT went to several top rated passing camps this summer, he won every award they had. He was rated #1 passer in every camp.he can pass just fine,he just needs to play. When all is said and done He will be twice the QB Reed is.

KT didn't win Elite 11. He did well. But he didn't win every award they had.

Pretty sure he wasn't number one at the Manning Passing Academy either but there's also no way in hell they are ever going to let a MSU commit win that ever.

[justwin]

kamrio is nothing like Joe Milton. nothing. Kamario has connected on multiple long td throws this year and milton runs worse than shapen. Milton would start entire games and not hit one long throw. Kamario throws a much better deep ball than shapen as well. kind of a terrible comparison to milton.

kamario is much closer to marcel reed than anyone else. in fact, TXAM just gave us the blue print to beat Mizzou and we have comparable offensive personnel.

we had 10 drives again yesterday. Kamario had the last 4 and scored two tds against the future national champion. shapen was wholly ineffective for 6 of those drives, again.

[justwin]

There is a difference between having BIG and realistic expectations.

BIG expectations is expecting him to be Dak/Cam level by year three. The key here is that is also realistic because he will have a year starting under his belt, hopefully we will have more talent, and our schedule while difficult at least won't be complete bullshit like ours is this year.

Saying he is Cam Newton right now isn't realistic.

Our reality is right now we can either go with a QB who can pass and has thrown the game winning TD pass late in the game in our two best wins this year and runs the offense but is also really streaky or we can go with a QB who can make plays with his legs but is still limited as a passer and therefore limits what we can do as an offense. It is what it is. And the result is zero sum gain. The best thing to do is start Shapen and when he gets out of synch or hurt then put KT in. If nothing else it gives the opponents two QB's to gameplan for at least and then we can get the best out of both of them.

shapen is very limited and that's not streaky. he's short and cant see over the middle and is 50/50 at best on deep balls and the completed deep balls are mostly due to the WR adjusting. shapen should not play any more. you wasted six drives last week with shapen. wasted at least 5 each of the last few weeks with him as well. KT can run the entire playbook and gets better with each rep. if a 5 yr senior with 3+ years or starter reps is still "streaky" it's time to change permanently.

[bulldawg28]

Reed is in his 2nd year as an SEC QB also- huge difference

Reed has already thrown for 4K in his college career with 35 passing TD's. KT is talented- so is Reed. Saying KT is better than Reed at this point is straight homerism

Reed was absolutely trash until 5 weeks ago. They relied on the running game which 90% of his TDs are. KT is already 100% better at him at passing. Next time if you're talking about me QUOTE me coffee man.

[bulldawg28]

There is a difference between having BIG and realistic expectations.

BIG expectations is expecting him to be Dak/Cam level by year three. The key here is that is also realistic because he will have a year starting under his belt, hopefully we will have more talent, and our schedule while difficult at least won't be complete bullshit like ours is this year.

Saying he is Cam Newton right now isn't realistic.

Our reality is right now we can either go with a QB who can pass and has thrown the game winning TD pass late in the game in our two best wins this year and runs the offense but is also really streaky or we can go with a QB who can make plays with his legs but is still limited as a passer and therefore limits what we can do as an offense. It is what it is. And the result is zero sum gain. The best thing to do is start Shapen and when he gets out of synch or hurt then put KT in. If nothing else it gives the opponents two QB's to gameplan for at least and then we can get the best out of both of them.

The best thing at this point is no longer to start Shapen. You're guaranteed to lose both games with him. Ole Miss & Mizzou have decent pass rushing teams. That's Shapen 's biggest flaw. He folds like a lawn chair. KT steps up in the pocket and either takes offs or throws the ball. Shapen gets sacked by wide DE's because he's too afraid to step up in the pocket and play big boy Qb.

[Pancho]

mizzou front 7 looks better than the sharts to me. thoughts?

[Santiago]

It may not be possible but Ole miss losing this weekend, along with us winning at Mizzou will flip that crowd and momentum for the egg bowl.

[Santiago]

Well he can throw the ball a lot more accurately than Kamario, he has yet to hit someone in the Gridiron Club with the football(or Lebby with the football on a swing pass), and he can run the offense to the fullest. Kamario can not. Also, Stevie Wondef can see fine, Stevie Wonder is the blind one.

Some of y?all really need to stop getting so butthurt when people criticize Kamario. It is ok to say he has things he can work on. If he did not he would be starting. Pointing out flaws, while also highlighting what he does well, is not hating. Hating would be saying he is a no talent hack who is nothing more than a strong arm and a big body.

I think of Jack on a broadcast I think in the egg bowl saying "beautiful pass.....it was 20 yards off the mark, but a beautiful pass"

[Santiago]

KT has been clocked at a 4.4, that's in the 21mph range as well. It's also obvious when he takes off he has a gear not common for a Qb. Alsi, Reed being in his 2nd year means nothing. We see Shapen whose been in his 6th year of college football and STILL makes freshman mistakes every weekend. Also, why do you harp on his expectations and try to down them? Comparisons is apart of sports banter. Being compared to Cam Newton is a compliment that should be embraced not shunned. KT has obviously been a baller since probably 5 years old. Let him have BIG expectations and go for them. If you're already comparing his true freshman play to a former 5th year senior that's now a 2nd string NFL Qb that's pretty good and not the insult you're opting it to be.

4.4? dang. He does seem to just leave everyone when he gets in stride.

[StarkVegasSteve]

It may not be possible but Ole miss losing this weekend, along with us winning at Mizzou will flip that crowd and momentum for the egg bowl.

Them losing to Florida would be a bigger upset than us beating them. I don't see it happening. It'd be incredible because they would come into the Egg Bowl tight but Florida is going to have to play out of their minds.

Maybe our good buddy Billy G can pull one out of the hat for us.

[Todd4State]

It may not be possible but Ole miss losing this weekend, along with us winning at Mizzou will flip that crowd and momentum for the egg bowl.

Florida just lost to Kentucky. They're cooked.

[DEDawg]

KT went to several top rated passing camps this summer, he won every award they had. He was rated #1 passer in every camp.he can pass just fine,he just needs to play. When all is said and done He will be twice the QB Reed is.

He was a 57% passer in HS. You gotta be realistic.

[tcdog70]

He was a 57% passer in HS. You gotta be realistic.

he was throwing to HS players-some of them could not catch it in a basket. realistic--to me is when players like Tebow and Matt Wyatt say he is the best QB we have ever signed. Lebby says he is highly intelligent. i watched Him in Highschool he singlehanded beat Louisville ( they hadnot lost in 3 years). He was awesome then and He will be awesome going forward

[Goldendawg]

Them losing to Florida would be a bigger upset than us beating them. I don't see it happening. It'd be incredible because they would come into the Egg Bowl tight but Florida is going to have to play out of their minds.

Maybe our good buddy Billy G can pull one out of the hat for us.

Many FL fans said the team quit against KY. Don't see much of a fight against OM on the road. Many of the their player$ may be looking for their next NIL deal or wanting this season to be over as who will be the next HC also hangs over the program.

[tcdog70]

Reed is in his 2nd year as an SEC QB also- huge difference

Reed has already thrown for 4K in his college career with 35 passing TD's. KT is talented- so is Reed. Saying KT is better than Reed at this point is straight homerism

put KT with the Aggies and Reed with the Dogs and then you can compare them. KT will shine like the North Star.

[DEDawg]

he was throwing to HS players-some of them could not catch it in a basket. realistic--to me is when players like Tebow and Matt Wyatt say he is the best QB we have ever signed. Lebby says he is highly intelligent. i watched Him in Highschool he singlehanded beat Louisville ( they hadnot lost in 3 years). He was awesome then and He will be awesome going forward
All those things are true but don?t also mean he is ready to be an SEC starter 10 months in

[msstate7]

Florida just lost to Kentucky. They're cooked.

They took Georgia to the wire the week before. Don't know what to expect from them week-to-week

[Coach34]

put KT with the Aggies and Reed with the Dogs and then you can compare them. KT will shine like the North Star.

If he had the experience Reed has he would but Reed is in his 3rd year of college and enjoyed a RS year to get ready

[Santiago]

Florida just lost to Kentucky. They're cooked.

We should publicly keep reminding the bears that this week is player evaluations for Kiffin ahead of spring practice in FL.
Florida players, at least defense, may have motivation this week to look good.

[Santiago]

My dad, an ole miss fan, is becoming a KT fan in how he handles himself on and off the field. KT is a quality guy on and off the field, as are so many of our players. I want to win, but also saying this year's team has been a really fun group to watch and pull for.

[Maverick91]

My dad, an ole miss fan, is becoming a KT fan in how he handles himself on and off the field. KT is a quality guy on and off the field, as are so many of our players. I want to win, but also saying this year's team has been a really fun group to watch and pull for.

It makes you want them to win so much more. Like you feel like they deserve it.

[Maroon Glasses]

put KT with the Aggies and Reed with the Dogs and then you can compare them. KT will shine like the North Star.

This. Basically goes back to this topic... Jimmy and Joe's. Reed has 4 and 5 stars littered all around him. KT has JUCO lineman blocking for him and 2 receivers that can make plays and he is scoring TD's while the other one isn't. Scripted is for the NFL.. College doesn't have to be Scripted to win as much. Manziel, Newton, Lamar... the list of dual threat QB's that extended unscripted plays can go on and on. When the best athlete on the field is your QB, he needs the ball. Especially 10 games into the season when your starting QB has turned into a turnover machine the last few games. We can all assume he will be great and we call all assume he isn't ready. We won't know until he is given the chance to start. But if his playing time as of now is any indication of how he will play an entire game, then we will win Saturday. Cause the kid scores touchdowns over half the time he is given an opportunity right now.

[Maroon Glasses]

Also.. I got many OM fans. And I haven't met one yet that doesnt want Shapen to start against them. That should tell you a little something. KT is making more impressions on opposing fans than our own.

[tcdog70]

All those things are true but don?t also mean he is ready to be an SEC starter 10 months in

what it means is He just played GA and scored 3 TDs. I'll say give Him a chance.

[TrapGame]

There is one thing that has really stood out to me the last two games with Kamario. He is more far more confident. You could tell in the A&M game it was too big for him. You could see his hesitation in the Florida game too. You do not see that kind of body language from him now. That is most impressive.

[StarkVegasSteve]

There is one thing that has really stood out to me the last two games with Kamario. He is more far more confident. You could tell in the A&M game it was too big for him. You could see his hesitation in the Florida game too. You do not see that kind of body language from him now. That is most impressive.

He's getting more comfortable in the game. He's understanding that you can't out athlete people at this level. That's good. He still has learning to do though. Now I will say one thing he has learned and I'll give him a lot of credit for because young QBs don't understand it, he knows when to just tuck it and go. He's got pretty good pocket awareness. And unlike Van Buren, he has sense enough to know where the sticks are and get to them. He still struggles making the right read all the time, obviously has accuracy struggles, and we can't run the full offense with him.

It's a learning process with a Freshman QB in this league. I do not expect to win starting him on Saturday night. I hope we win, but I'm not expecting it. And that's not doubting Kamario in any way. It's statistics telling me Freshman QBs with bad O Lines don't tend to do well in their first starts. Because look, Mizzou is going to blitz him early. They will zero blitz him at least one time early, whether that be on the first drive or second drive, to see how he handles it.

[EdwardDrayton]

He's getting more comfortable in the game. He's understanding that you can't out athlete people at this level. That's good. He still has learning to do though. Now I will say one thing he has learned and I'll give him a lot of credit for because young QBs don't understand it, he knows when to just tuck it and go. He's got pretty good pocket awareness. And unlike Van Buren, he has sense enough to know where the sticks are and get to them. He still struggles making the right read all the time, obviously has accuracy struggles, and we can't run the full offense with him.

It's a learning process with a Freshman QB in this league. I do not expect to win starting him on Saturday night. I hope we win, but I'm not expecting it. And that's not doubting Kamario in any way. It's statistics telling me Freshman QBs with bad O Lines don't tend to do well in their first starts. Because look, Mizzou is going to blitz him early. They will zero blitz him at least one time early, whether that be on the first drive or second drive, to see how he handles it.

Especially to be so young.

[R2Dawg]

LOL have you even watched the games? Our stadium is a home game outside the student section for the other SEC teams.

Dude this ain't 2014 and even then Aub had plenty of buts in seats. For a losing program, we have shown up. Only UT and UGA have bought too many tickets.

You obviously haven't seen much State football. Have you even been to a game this year? Only the east side has had any visitors and only two games UGA and Tenn - both blueblood and currently winning highly ranked programs - us no. Also they are very large fanbases.

[PGHBulldogBG]

Dude this ain't 2014 and even then Aub had plenty of buts in seats. For a losing program, we have shown up. Only UT and UGA have bought too many tickets.

You obviously haven't seen much State football. Have you even been to a game this year? Only the east side has had any visitors and only two games UGA and Tenn - both blueblood and currently winning highly ranked programs - us no. Also they are very large fanbases.

The entire east side of the stadium was visiting fans for UGA and Tenn and over half for Texas. Those are the 3 games we played outside mid majors and ASU who is on the other side of the country. Other SEC schools do not have this problem in their stadiums outside Vandy. This didn?t even happen near as bad when Croom was here when I was in college and going to every game. Of course the fans that go are great, but how is it that we are letting almost half our stadium be filled with visiting fans. It legit makes me more infuriated than anything this year. Actually I should?ve just say SEC schools stadiums but all stadiums of P4 teams outside the ones in major metropolitan areas

[Goldendawg]

The entire east side of the stadium was visiting fans for UGA and Tenn and over half for Texas. Those are the 3 games we played outside mid majors and ASU who is on the other side of the country. Other SEC schools do not have this problem in their stadiums outside Vandy. This didn?t even happen near as bad when Croom was here when I was in college and going to every game. Of course the fans that go are great, but how is it that we are letting almost half our stadium be filled with visiting fans. It legit makes me more infuriated than anything this year. Actually I should?ve just say SEC schools stadiums but all stadiums of P4 teams outside the ones in major metropolitan areas

I know from what I've read that you live in Pittsburgh perhaps, and can't make it to the games. People are no longer going to attend games with a team that has lost 16 out of the last 17 SEC games especially with the high cost of season tickets, Bulldog Club dues, travel, food, lodging if it applies, etc. There are so many more options available for their time and entertainment dollar.

Hardcore fans like my family and friends will always be there on the West side but there has been opposing fans seated around us in section 4, a heavy Bulldog Club section my entire life, which is very disappointing. My hardcore friend has nine football season tickets, four basketball season tickets, and three baseball season tickets. His family has a six hour round trip to attend State athletic contests. His sons are all professionals and live in the same large town as him. The most people he has had for the season has been five for the Georgia game. He will not sell unused tickets to the opposition and will give them to fellow State fans. My group has eight season tickets, and he gave me four for the Georgia game. It took 2 of us working the phones and texting till 8:00 Friday night to find 4 State fans who would make the 4 hour round trip to Starkville to watch the Georgia game which our team didn't show up on either side of the ball. Until we start not just being competitive but winning again in the SEC, there will unfortunately be plenty of seats at DWS especially on the East side. Winning cures everything and we aren't doing it since Leach died and by the way, I hated his offense as it bored me to tears.

[Santiago]

I know from what I've read that you live in Pittsburgh perhaps, and can't make it to the games. People are no longer going to attend games with a team that has lost 16 out of the last 17 SEC games especially with the high cost of season tickets, Bulldog Club dues, travel, food, lodging if it applies, etc. There are so many more options available for their time and entertainment dollar.

Hardcore fans like my family and friends will always be there on the West side but there has been opposing fans seated around us in section 4, a heavy Bulldog Club section my entire life, which is very disappointing. My hardcore friend has nine football season tickets, four basketball season tickets, and three baseball season tickets. His family has a six hour round trip to attend State athletic contests. His sons are all professionals and live in the same large town as him. The most people he has had for the season has been five for the Georgia game. He will not sell unused tickets to the opposition and will give them to fellow State fans. My group has eight season tickets, and he gave me four for the Georgia game. It took 2 of us working the phones and texting till 8:00 Friday night to find 4 State fans who would make the 4 hour round trip to Starkville to watch the Georgia game which our team didn't show up on either side of the ball. Until we start not just being competitive but winning again in the SEC, there will unfortunately be plenty of seats at DWS especially on the East side. Winning cures everything and we aren't doing it since Leach died and by the way, I hated his offense as it bored me to tears.

Golden, Love your post and reasoning.

I have for the first time in forever, bought season tickets. I am out of state. I bought season tickets this year thinking we need to step up when needed most.
For every game I cannot attend, the tickets have gone for free to MSU friends and family.
I would even buy more next year if I know of MSU people that will go in my place.

The game atmosphere is incredible and tip of the hat to Selmon for fixing so many of Cohen's F ups and gameday experience.
Tip of the hat for MSU to FINALLY stop telling lies to the fanbase, and the media toting the water, for saying a logo is not available. That burned me the most with MSU the past few years. I am indifferent on the logo, but the "handling the fans" made me step back especially with Cohen.

A comment to add, people complaining about fans not showing , better ease up until because the students and the fans going now are giving all they have. The buy back into the program is slowly improving after a few years of wrecking it. There is a trust factor that might take time for MSU to prove this is the new normal for atmosphere, listening to fans, and to not try and lie about things.

[shoeless joe]

on the attendance and crowd issue...in every sport recently in the biggest of moments when we have a chance, we lose. i'm especially thinking about football and basketball. people get hyped up and then...we lose. i'm not saying i think it's the correct thing for fans to do but a lot have found other things to fill their time and obsess over that won't bring them constant disappointment. that is why when we beat ASU the response was so real...it was a bigger FINALLY than when we won in omaha.

on KT...i'm beginning to convert over to wanting to see him get a majority of the snaps. although, i still believe if used correctly him coming in at certain points as a change of pace is the best situation for team success. the problem with that is...based on a mountain of evidence...Lebby will have zero ability to know when that time is. when the team needs a spark...what to do to provide the spark...and what plays to call to maximize our opportunity and any given point.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Golden, Love your post and reasoning.

I have for the first time in forever, bought season tickets. I am out of state. I bought season tickets this year thinking we need to step up when needed most.
For every game I cannot attend, the tickets have gone for free to MSU friends and family.
I would even buy more next year if I know of MSU people that will go in my place.

The game atmosphere is incredible and tip of the hat to Selmon for fixing so many of Cohen's F ups and gameday experience.
Tip of the hat for MSU to FINALLY stop telling lies to the fanbase, and the media toting the water, for saying a logo is not available. That burned me the most with MSU the past few years. I am indifferent on the logo, but the "handling the fans" made me step back especially with Cohen.

A comment to add, people complaining about fans not showing , better ease up until because the students and the fans going now are giving all they have. The buy back into the program is slowly improving after a few years of wrecking it. There is a trust factor that might take time for MSU to prove this is the new normal for atmosphere, listening to fans, and to not try and lie about things.

I've said this before many times. From 2010-Florida 2018, we had cornered a market of the sidewalk fans who don't really support one team fully. They probably have OM polos and State polos in their closet. We lost that market with Moorhead and still haven't gotten it back. A lot of times during those years, those people would be the ones buying up those unused and 3rd party tickets that we weren't selling. Now it's the opposing fans. For Mississippi State, we have to figure out how to get those fans back. Or is it even possible. OM has that market cornered at the moment because they are winning and Oxford is perceived as the place you have to be on the weekends.

[Santiago]

I've said this before many times. From 2010-Florida 2018, we had cornered a market of the sidewalk fans who don't really support one team fully. They probably have OM polos and State polos in their closet. We lost that market with Moorhead and still haven't gotten it back. A lot of times during those years, those people would be the ones buying up those unused and 3rd party tickets that we weren't selling. Now it's the opposing fans. For Mississippi State, we have to figure out how to get those fans back. Or is it even possible. OM has that market cornered at the moment because they are winning and Oxford is perceived as the place you have to be on the weekends.

in my extended family, people that never went to ole miss or know where any academic buildings are at, go to ole miss games. Seems to make many of them feel they are part of a higher thing.
To me, it is important we keep getting more in state and nearby out of state regions as students- more families staying nearby over time and more that can get to Starkville.

Agree on all the sidewalk fans during Mullen. He gave us swagger, and from wearing gold on egg bowls, to being number 1, etc.
MSU can get back, but it is not in just one or two seasons of listening to us while learning to win.
MSU 17'd this up , lying to fans for years on a simple logo issue, telling them they hired a coach that is not changing offense etc. I know all that is argued but it starts to add up. We are not like ole miss fans where we are cult like and lap up all the BS.

Thank goodness for Selmon and whoever else is treating fans with value.
Our game day experience this year is really good. We have brought fans with us that are casual football fans at best, and they love the whole thing especially pregame.

edit: one thing to mention..... Since Lane has been at ole miss , every year, he has called out the fans for not staying in the stadium or even showing up. They have the hottest name in college football this season and could not keep their own stadium full. No telling what that turns into there on empty seats when he is gone.

[Goldendawg]

I've said this before many times. From 2010-Florida 2018, we had cornered a market of the sidewalk fans who don't really support one team fully. They probably have OM polos and State polos in their closet. We lost that market with Moorhead and still haven't gotten it back. A lot of times during those years, those people would be the ones buying up those unused and 3rd party tickets that we weren't selling. Now it's the opposing fans. For Mississippi State, we have to figure out how to get those fans back. Or is it even possible. OM has that market cornered at the moment because they are winning and Oxford is perceived as the place you have to be on the weekends.

Know the NIL/Portal world has changed big time, but "Just Win, Baby.", the late, great Al Davis and DWS will be full again.

And to all State fans, do all you can, when you can, at all levels of involvement from where you are to get us there again! We have thousands of the most loyal, although often long suffering fans in college football and fans is short for fanatics! Hail State!

[Coach34]

Me and my kids will be at Egg Bowl watching Lame's last game at Mississippi

[StarkVegasSteve]

Know the NIL/Portal world has changed big time, but "Just Win, Baby.", the late, great Al Davis and DWS will be full again.

And to all State fans, do all you can, when you can, at all levels of involvement from where you are to get us there again! We have thousands of the most loyal, although often long suffering fans in college football and fans is short for fanatics! Hail State!

But that's the thing. We won with Leach, 7 in 21 and 9 in 22, and we struggled with attendance. I don't really know that there is a great solution. COVID may have taken some of our fan base that used to come to game and showed them that they preferred to stay at home.

[shoeless joe]

But that's the thing. We won with Leach, 7 in 21 and 9 in 22, and we struggled with attendance. I don't really know that there is a great solution. COVID may have taken some of our fan base that used to come to game and showed them that they preferred to stay at home.

agree with this. at this point in my life spending my saturdays at state and going to every game just isn't feasible...kids playing sports, kids wanting to hunt, kids just being kids. that said i have really gotten to where firing up my grill, poppin open a cold beer, and watching the game at my house or with a couple buddies has become my favorite way to take in a football game. mind you once my kids decide they want to start going to games then that's what we will do but i'm in no rush. and i'm sure some on here will bash me for that but it is how i feel in this point of life. and just like all things that will prolly change at some point.

how many of those 7 and 9 wins were in big hyped up games against big time opponents? i ask because i truly don't recall. the biggest games i remember with leach were obviously at LSU in his first SEC game and the big comeback at auburn.

[StarkVegasSteve]

agree with this. at this point in my life spending my saturdays at state and going to every game just isn't feasible...kids playing sports, kids wanting to hunt, kids just being kids. that said i have really gotten to where firing up my grill, poppin open a cold beer, and watching the game at my house or with a couple buddies has become my favorite way to take in a football game. mind you once my kids decide they want to start going to games then that's what we will do but i'm in no rush. and i'm sure some on here will bash me for that but it is how i feel in this point of life. and just like all things that will prolly change at some point.

how many of those 7 and 9 wins were in big hyped up games against big time opponents? i ask because i truly don't recall. the biggest games i remember with leach were obviously at LSU in his first SEC game and the big comeback at auburn.

On the first point, I don't begrudge you. You are spending your time and money the way you want to spend it. Never going to tell someone how to spend their money.

On the second point, I think that's where there's a disconnect right now. It seems that for all of our fans to show up, it has to be this perfect maelstrom of conditions: a big time opponent, a night kick for some, a day kick for some, not too hot, not too cold, premium tickets for upper deck prices, etc. And all that is understandable. People have priorities. But when you have folks complaining about atmosphere, about opposing fan bases taking over stadium, and about how we can't get close to a sell out it's easy to see why.

[Pancho]

Big screens and a grill are lots more comfortable

[Coach34]

agree with this. at this point in my life spending my saturdays at state and going to every game just isn't feasible...kids playing sports, kids wanting to hunt, kids just being kids. that said i have really gotten to where firing up my grill, poppin open a cold beer, and watching the game at my house or with a couple buddies has become my favorite way to take in a football game. mind you once my kids decide they want to start going to games then that's what we will do but i'm in no rush. and i'm sure some on here will bash me for that but it is how i feel in this point of life. and just like all things that will prolly change at some point.

Agree completely. I hate to even leave the house on Fall Saturday's now

[EdwardDrayton]

Agree completely. I hate to even leave the house on Fall Saturday's now

Lest we forget, us folks who don't go to ALL the games are contributing indirectly too. It allows the SEC a media rights deal that generates over $550 million a year. And that gets Mississippi State their portion of over $50 million. If we don't watch, that doesn't happen at that level.

[PGHBulldogBG]

I completely understand not being able to attend games due to financial or family obligations. I live in PA and can?t attend. If I lived in the southeast I?m sure I would attend some but not all. We always have empty seats at home basketball games. While frustrating, I get it. What I am saying is completely unacceptable is that our entire east side is always all visiting fans and that never happens at any other college stadiums. I will take Pitt for example. They always have a lot of empty seats because people around here care more about the Steelers and NFL. Perfectly fine. But not half of heinz field is visiting fans. The fact we let this happen over and over is what infuriates me.