I?ve never been so apathetic

[Dawgology]

Towards MSU sports.

I think this is the first time I?ve even looked at the message board or state athletics media in about a month (maybe more). I don’t think I’ve actively watched state sports since the egg bowl and I only halfway watched it. I hope the rest of the fanbase isn?t feeling half the way I am about it. Really hoping football season changes that.

First time in 30 years I?ve been like this. Trying to get reinvigorated but?.meh?

[BeardoMSU]

#spoilt

FFS...

[Hot Rock]

Let's see ---

1) won a national championship a year ago in baseball - have some nice pieces but team needs tweaking for sure to be competitive. Thing is, we still have the coaches in place that got that title, no reason think they can't do it again.

2) Have two new HC in Womens and Mens basketball and both seem to be doing well in shaping up a roster for next year and the mens' HC has taken teams to the dance and won games at places with way less resources.

3) Leach's system should be maturing with a seasoned QB with probably the best defense he has ever had. It's make or break year for him to show this can be done. Should be exciting whichever way it goes

4) Track, Golf, Tenniss, Volleyball, Softball are all doing better than I can remember. I am sure someone will point out where I am wrong but everytime I turn around I see one of those getting headlines.

This is more a you thing. It happens, I go through times where life is not about sports for me too but Mississippi State sports is not in a bad way. In fact, I think the future is bright.

[FISHDAWG]

Let's see ---

1) won a national championship a year ago in baseball - have some nice pieces but team needs tweaking for sure to be competitive. Thing is, we still have the coaches in place that got that title, no reason think they can't do it again.

2) Have two new HC in Womens and Mens basketball and both seem to be doing well in shaping up a roster for next year and the mens' HC has taken teams to the dance and won games at places with way less resources.

3) Leach's system should be maturing with a seasoned QB with probably the best defense he has ever had. It's make or break year for him to show this can be done. Should be exciting whichever way it goes

4) Track, Golf, Tenniss, Volleyball, Softball are all doing better than I can remember. I am sure someone will point out where I am wrong but everytime I turn around I see one of those getting headlines.

This is more a you thing. It happens, I go through times where life is not about sports for me too but Mississippi State sports is not in a bad way. In fact, I think the future is bright.

Since I can't rep this I will simply say GOOD POST

[ScoobaDawg]

Let's see ---

1) won a national championship a year ago in baseball - have some nice pieces but team needs tweaking for sure to be competitive. Thing is, we still have the coaches in place that got that title, no reason think they can't do it again.

2) Have two new HC in Womens and Mens basketball and both seem to be doing well in shaping up a roster for next year and the mens' HC has taken teams to the dance and won games at places with way less resources.

3) Leach's system should be maturing with a seasoned QB with probably the best defense he has ever had. It's make or break year for him to show this can be done. Should be exciting whichever way it goes

4) Track, Golf, Tenniss, Volleyball, Softball are all doing better than I can remember. I am sure someone will point out where I am wrong but everytime I turn around I see one of those getting headlines.

This is more a you thing. It happens, I go through times where life is not about sports for me too but Mississippi State sports is not in a bad way. In fact, I think the future is bright.

Truth.
I'm frustrated as hell with the baseball team but haven't forgotten or soured on what those coaches did last year.

Just going to make it a loooong summer likely with no baseball team playing in just a few weeks.

[Saltydog]

You're like a lot of the fan base right now (lower than whale shit on the bottom of the ocean). Good thing you haven't been watching because the basketball and baseball teams sure as heck wouldn't have helped your morale. The baseball season is the kicker for me. I'm used to the inconsistency in the football and basketball programs but baseball is a special thing at MSU and while we've had the occasional bad season here and there this year is especially frustrating given last years run and the potential this team had.

[Matt3467]

Let's see ---

1) won a national championship a year ago in baseball - have some nice pieces but team needs tweaking for sure to be competitive. Thing is, we still have the coaches in place that got that title, no reason think they can't do it again.

2) Have two new HC in Womens and Mens basketball and both seem to be doing well in shaping up a roster for next year and the mens' HC has taken teams to the dance and won games at places with way less resources.

3) Leach's system should be maturing with a seasoned QB with probably the best defense he has ever had. It's make or break year for him to show this can be done. Should be exciting whichever way it goes

4) Track, Golf, Tenniss, Volleyball, Softball are all doing better than I can remember. I am sure someone will point out where I am wrong but everytime I turn around I see one of those getting headlines.

This is more a you thing. It happens, I go through times where life is not about sports for me too but Mississippi State sports is not in a bad way. In fact, I think the future is bright.

1. a .500 season a year after winning the NC is cause enough to be apathetic towards the baseball team this year. Someone asked the question recently and I haven't been able to find the answer but has there ever been another team to have as bad a season after winning a NC? It's such an anomaly I wouldn't blame those wondering if Lemonis and co can do it again.

2. Men's basketball is the one sport at State where one would have great reason to be apathetic. We don't necessarily have a history of winning here and the last decade or so has been pretty hard to watch. It's interesting though that the reason given for optimism is the same one some of us were saying about Leach.

3. Football is about the only sport I'm looking forward to and it's because of Leach. I think he can win here but even if we don't have the year we want I love watching the pressers.

4. I don't keep up with those and I imagine most couldn't tell you what those sports have been doing. Not taking away from the point but most people don't follow MSU for track.

I think you have a point about life though. I definitely have lost some interest in sports as a whole over the last 5 or so years. I'm not as fanatic as I used to be and although I don't post as much as others but I've been checking ED for the "news" many times a day religiously for nearly a decade and I don't do that as much anymore either.

[Coach34]

From 1976-2007 State did not have 1 losing baseball season.

Then we had 3 straight thanks to Polk's stopping recruiting off campus and crashing in 2008. 2008, 2009, 2010 as Cohen had to rebuild. Then we had 2015's hiccup
Now 2022.

31 straight winning seasons to now 5 losing seasons in the last 15. With only 5 seasons in the last 41 years- its understandable if people are down and concerned.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

What sports are we finishing in top half of SEC for sports year fall21/Spring 22?

[Hot Rock]

From 1976-2007 State did not have 1 losing baseball season.

Then we had 3 straight thanks to Polk's stopping recruiting off campus and crashing in 2008. 2008, 2009, 2010 as Cohen had to rebuild. Then we had 2015's hiccup
Now 2022.

31 straight winning seasons to now 5 losing seasons in the last 15. With only 5 seasons in the last 41 years- its understandable if people are down and concerned.

Concern sure, but apathetic or not caring is more about each individual. Personal thoughts about where each team is headed is always an issue. The portal and NIL monies throw it in our face that we are a have not program but that was always the case. That's not new. I

I think basketball has made two good hires and both roster are starting to shape up a bit. That is exciting to me.

Then football is in one of those years that could unite the sunshine pumpers like me and the doom and gloomers to go one way or the other with Leach. He has to prove it can work now. Let's see which way it goes.

To me, it's exciting times even in baseball. Sure, they underperformed this year but there are some really nice young talented players on that team and Lemonis just won a title last year. It's always a challenge to win in the SEC but never more than now. Baseball was a an afterthought most places for a lot of those 31 straight winning seasons, which made it easier back then in my opinion. It's a long summer ahead, I intend to play a lot more golf. Maybe the fall will be better, I hope so.

[99jc]

Guys i am telling you i have been following MSU sports since 1968 i am pretty good now in my premonitions on the teams before they start. I have a very good feeling about the football team and i think the men's and women's basketball teams will be greatly improved. Many underestimate the effect coaching has... see Alabama pre-Saban. the new basketball coaches will succeed here and i know Leach will have a great season this year and will continue to build on that. you gloom and doomers need to get some cannabis gummies and chill out.. HAIL 17ING STATE!

[Liverpooldawg]

Let's see ---

1) won a national championship a year ago in baseball - have some nice pieces but team needs tweaking for sure to be competitive. Thing is, we still have the coaches in place that got that title, no reason think they can't do it again.

2) Have two new HC in Womens and Mens basketball and both seem to be doing well in shaping up a roster for next year and the mens' HC has taken teams to the dance and won games at places with way less resources.

3) Leach's system should be maturing with a seasoned QB with probably the best defense he has ever had. It's make or break year for him to show this can be done. Should be exciting whichever way it goes

4) Track, Golf, Tenniss, Volleyball, Softball are all doing better than I can remember. I am sure someone will point out where I am wrong but everytime I turn around I see one of those getting headlines.

This is more a you thing. It happens, I go through times where life is not about sports for me too but Mississippi State sports is not in a bad way. In fact, I think the future is bright.

1)baseball gets a pass this year. It was going to be down anyway but the injuries to the pitching staff put it WAY down.
2) wait and see mode for me. Show me something and I'll get excited. I won't till it happens.
3) will struggle to have a winning season. I don't see us being much better than last year, if any, and the schedule is harder for sure.
4) I don't care one way or the other.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

From 1976-2007 State did not have 1 losing baseball season.

Then we had 3 straight thanks to Polk's stopping recruiting off campus and crashing in 2008. 2008, 2009, 2010 as Cohen had to rebuild. Then we had 2015's hiccup
Now 2022.

31 straight winning seasons to now 5 losing seasons in the last 15. With only 5 seasons in the last 41 years- its understandable if people are down and concerned.
We didn?t have real SEC TV money during that timeframe. No reason with that money now we shouldn?t be a top 25-30 program in all our sports and Top 10 Baseball annually.

[EdwardDrayton]

1. Yes, a year ago we won a NC but we are like the Montreal Canadiens of college baseball. We fell far and hard.

2. Nothing proven yet with men’s and women’s basketball so all subjective at this point. Can say it is good that we have more than seven players on the womens team now.

3. Again nothing proven with football at this point. All hope and dreams. Leach apparently is all in with Will Rogers and sure hope that works out for his sake.

4. Let’s be honest. Not many of us really care about tennis, softball, etc etc. But there’s nothing amazing going on there anyway.

[viverlibre]

If Lemonjuice doesn't get baseball straightened out, I'm not overly concerned as I think we can get a coach who can get us back on track (it is easy to win in Starkvegas). I'm most concerned about football, i renewed season tickets, but have my doubts that Leach can win more 6-7 games a year, he doesn't seem willing to change and we know that adapting is important in football (kind of reminds me of Joe Lee Dunn). We seem to be falling behind UM, Ark and Kentucky, we have to at least stay even with those three.

Seeing us fall apart after the natty, makes what Saban and Belicheat do (keep coming back and competing at a high level year after year of winning championships) even more impressive. The focus and fire they have to maintain in themselves, their staff and team, it is just incredible.

[Pancho]

We didn?t have real SEC TV money during that timeframe. No reason with that money now we shouldn?t be a top 25-30 program in all our sports and Top 10 Baseball annually.

So what exactly should be done currently that isn't already employed from an athletic department view? I will hang up and listen.

[Catfish]

Let's see ---

1) won a national championship a year ago in baseball - have some nice pieces but team needs tweaking for sure to be competitive. Thing is, we still have the coaches in place that got that title, no reason think they can't do it again.

2) Have two new HC in Womens and Mens basketball and both seem to be doing well in shaping up a roster for next year and the mens' HC has taken teams to the dance and won games at places with way less resources.

3) Leach's system should be maturing with a seasoned QB with probably the best defense he has ever had. It's make or break year for him to show this can be done. Should be exciting whichever way it goes

4) Track, Golf, Tenniss, Volleyball, Softball are all doing better than I can remember. I am sure someone will point out where I am wrong but everytime I turn around I see one of those getting headlines.

This is more a you thing. It happens, I go through times where life is not about sports for me too but Mississippi State sports is not in a bad way. In fact, I think the future is bright.

Dang good post.

[BrunswickDawg]

If Lemonjuice doesn't get baseball straightened out, I'm not overly concerned as I think we can get a coach who can get us back on track (it is easy to win in Starkvegas). I'm most concerned about football, i renewed season tickets, but have my doubts that Leach can win more 6-7 games a year, he doesn't seem willing to change and we know that adapting is important in football (kind of reminds me of Joe Lee Dunn). We seem to be falling behind UM, Ark and Kentucky, we have to at least stay even with those three.

Seeing us fall apart after the natty, makes what Saban and Belicheat do (keep coming back and competing at a high level year after year of winning championships) even more impressive. The focus and fire they have to maintain in themselves, their staff and team, it is just incredible.

Steve posted an article yesterday that said of the 74 CWS winners, 29 failed to make post season the following year.
Looking at the winners in the past 20 years, after winning in 2006 and 2007 Oregon State finished 2008 at 28-24; Fresno State in 2008 followed up with a 34-30 record in '09; after beating us in 2013 UCLA went 25-30-1.
So having a down year is not unusual at all.

This season was a let down for sure. I think something we forget in our perspective as fans is that we built a team that barring COVID would have had a 4 year CWS run - something that has only been done by 1 other SEC school (Florida 2015-2018) and only 11 schools total.

I know we all want to have a juggernaut program that never has down years - but I think a lot of what we dealt with this season is the cumulative impact of the uncertainty and coaching turnover between Cohen and Lemonis. The fact that our team stayed highly competitive during all that speaks volumes about the program overall. We had a down season in '15 that propelled us to greater heights then we had seen in a long time, hopefully this season helps kick us to the next level beyond that.

[sandjunky]

Injuries have nothing to do with the inability to throw strikes and compete on the mound

For example, if you go take a gander at Fristoe?s PG profile, you will see he walked as many batters as he K?d

Yes, electric stuff but wouldn?t that tell you it will be exasperated in the SEC where you don?t need a boat paddle to hit like with PG

We may work on command in bullpens but the stats bear out the staff as whole has poor command

[StarkVegasSteve]

From 1976-2007 State did not have 1 losing baseball season.

Then we had 3 straight thanks to Polk's stopping recruiting off campus and crashing in 2008. 2008, 2009, 2010 as Cohen had to rebuild. Then we had 2015's hiccup
Now 2022.

31 straight winning seasons to now 5 losing seasons in the last 15. With only 5 seasons in the last 41 years- its understandable if people are down and concerned.

Interesting stat definitely. Another thing to think about is that from 1976-1996 MSU, LSU, and occasionally Arkansas were the only baseball programs in this conference that gave one iota of a crap about the sport. Yea there were programs like Auburn, Georgia, and Tennessee that were respectable and might bottle a 2-3 year run but no sustainability. From 96-present look what has happened. Bianco got it rolling in Oxford, Corbin built a machine in Nashville, McMahon, Lopez, and O?Sullivan got Florida on the map, Polk and Dave Perno got UGA going again, and now Vitello has built the next monster. Add into that A&M coming into the league and this is what you get. The days of us waltzing into Lindsey Nelson or Foley Field or Swayze and winning 2 of 3 because the name on the front of our jersey are long gone.

I am not in any way saying that this season is not concerning, because it is. But people that are saying this should not happen just because we are Mississippi State need to adjust their thinking. This is exactly what happens when you A) lazily recruit(Polk II) or B) recruit/evaluate and develop incorrectly(2015 and 2022). You have to recruit the portal and evaluate high school talent better than ever nowadays. The margin for error is razor thin and with Texas coming in that margin will get even smaller. I mean think what one relief pitcher does for this team. We have at least 10 more wins.

[Jarius]

Towards MSU sports.

I think this is the first time I?ve even looked at the message board or state athletics media in about a month (maybe more). I don?t think I?ve actively watched state sports since the egg bowl and I only halfway watched it. I hope the rest of the fanbase isn?t feeling half the way I am about it. Really hoping football season changes that.

First time in 30 years I?ve been like this. Trying to get reinvigorated but?.meh?

I'm pretty damn fired up about our football team. We return 17 starters on a team that won 7 games and went to the portal and juco and got a lot of help in key spots. I'm really excited about our new men's basketball coach too. This will be the first year in a long time that I give a shit about basketball.

[Hot Rock]

The other thing that hasn't been said is the Covid situation.

2020 & 2021 had limited recruiting visits etc.... It had to effect the recruiting evaluations and even some player development. I don't know the details but I bet there is someone that does know and could fill us in.

Lemonis & Co. will right the ship, They are too good at coaching & recruiting as a staff not to get it done. If they don't', the next group will. Mississippi State is one of the "Have's" in baseball now that NIL deals are possible. Do not despair.

The only reason to be down on the baseball program is this year's performance but the future of Mississippi State baseball is as good as anyone's anywhere. Of that, I have no doubt. We can only wish the Basketball & Football programs could be so lucky and those programs should be in pretty good shape going forward.

I know I certainly like both Men's and Women's Round-ball hires and we should find out a lot about Leach this year.

[BrunswickDawg]

The other thing that hasn't been said is the Covid situation.

2020 & 2021 had limited recruiting visits etc.... It had to effect the recruiting evaluations and even some player development. I don't know the details but I bet there is someone that does know and could fill us in.

Lemonis & Co. will right the ship, They are too good at coaching & recruiting as a staff not to get it done. If they don't', the next group will. Mississippi State is one of the "Have's" in baseball now that NIL deals are possible. Do not despair.

The only reason to be down on the baseball program is this year's performance but the future of Mississippi State baseball is as good as anyone's anywhere. Of that, I have no doubt. We can only wish the Basketball & Football programs could be so lucky and those programs should be in pretty good shape going forward.

I know I certainly like both Men's and Women's Round-ball hires and we should find out a lot about Leach this year.

It hurt player development and scouting, and the roster expansion and extra eligibility may have made it worse. While we benefited from the extra pitchers last year, the 2019 and 2020 players who couldn't break through into the line up or regular innings are almost all gone from the program. 2019 we had 17 commits (not included draftees who signed with MLB clubs) and 10 are gone (Bednar included in that); 2020 we had 14 commits, 8 are gone. And while a number have panned out, some of the "developmental guys from those classes (Siebert, Corder, McGowen, Tepper, Meche) are obviously not ready for prime time in their 2nd and 3rd seasons like a lot of players have been. Guys who break thru like Forsythe, Cade, and Hunt and Kam have all seen improvement and contributed. Hopefully the large number '21 of kids who sat out this season have a little more normal development process.

[Saltydog]

Steve posted an article yesterday that said of the 74 CWS winners, 29 failed to make post season the following year.
Looking at the winners in the past 20 years, after winning in 2006 and 2007 Oregon State finished 2008 at 28-24; Fresno State in 2008 followed up with a 34-30 record in '09; after beating us in 2013 UCLA went 25-30-1.
So having a down year is not unusual at all.

This season was a let down for sure. I think something we forget in our perspective as fans is that we built a team that barring COVID would have had a 4 year CWS run - something that has only been done by 1 other SEC school (Florida 2015-2018) and only 11 schools total.

I know we all want to have a juggernaut program that never has down years - but I think a lot of what we dealt with this season is the cumulative impact of the uncertainty and coaching turnover between Cohen and Lemonis. The fact that our team stayed highly competitive during all that speaks volumes about the program overall. We had a down season in '15 that propelled us to greater heights then we had seen in a long time, hopefully this season helps kick us to the next level beyond that.

Sure we had pitchers (and some good ones) that were injured but we also had 6 starters back and some of them just haven't been what we thought. I was looking for Lo Tan and James to have big seasons and I think a lot of other people did too. Just didn't happen.

[EdwardDrayton]

Rationalizations are the soothing salve to the chafed soul of all us Mississippi State fans.

[BrunswickDawg]

Sure we had pitchers (and some good ones) that were injured but we also had 6 starters back and some of them just haven't been what we thought. I was looking for Lo Tan and James to have big seasons and I think a lot of other people did too. Just didn't happen.

Interestingly, the 6 returning starters did well though (so far)
'21 stats below are regular season only:

Hancock in '21 .268, 10 HR 51 RBI; '22 .280 7 HR 27 RBI
LoTan: '21 .286 11 HR 40 RBI; '22 .317 7 HR 38 RBI
Kam: '21 .267 9 HR 47 RBI; '22 .303 8 HR 31 RBI
Forsythe: '21 .262 1 HR 17 RBI; '22 .290 0 HR 9 RBI
Clark: .279 2 HR 7 RBI; '22 .241 13 HR 37 RBI
Cumbest: .329 8 HR 15 RBI; '22 .303 12 HR 30 RBI

What is evident is that we missed having TA and Rowdey setting the table. That shows up in the reduced RBI's. Even as good as RJ & Hines have been, they doesn't measure up to TA & Rowdey's OBP at the top of the lineup.
Couple that with not replacing Dubrule's production and those 3 holes will kill a line up.

[R2Dawg]

1. Yes, a year ago we won a NC but we are like the Montreal Canadiens of college baseball. We fell far and hard.

2. Nothing proven yet with men?s and women?s basketball so all subjective at this point. Can say it is good that we have more than seven players on the womens team now.

3. Again nothing proven with football at this point. All hope and dreams. Leach apparently is all in with Will Rogers and sure hope that works out for his sake.

4. Let?s be honest. Not many of us really care about tennis, softball, etc etc. But there?s nothing amazing going on there anyway.

Yeah I agree nothing really going on yet in any other sports to get the fan base all excited. Some cautious hope and optimism and that is it. Football is on it's last hope this year. Get it done this year or it ain't happening.

Baseball is the real kick in the gut. Our most proud tradition curb stomped in humiliation by everyone. We can't even wear our NC gear into post season. It really sucks. We all still have great memories of last year. I went to Omaha for the first time last year and it was great.

[R2Dawg]

Interestingly, the 6 returning starters did well though (so far)
'21 stats below are regular season only:

Hancock in '21 .268, 10 HR 51 RBI; '22 .280 7 HR 27 RBI
LoTan: '21 .286 11 HR 40 RBI; '22 .317 7 HR 38 RBI
Kam: '21 .267 9 HR 47 RBI; '22 .303 8 HR 31 RBI
Forsythe: '21 .262 1 HR 17 RBI; '22 .290 0 HR 9 RBI
Clark: .279 2 HR 7 RBI; '22 .241 13 HR 37 RBI
Cumbest: .329 8 HR 15 RBI; '22 .303 12 HR 30 RBI

What is evident is that we missed having TA and Rowdey setting the table. That shows up in the reduced RBI's. Even as good as RJ & Hines have been, they doesn't measure up to TA & Rowdey's OBP at the top of the lineup.
Couple that with not replacing Dubrule's production and those 3 holes will kill a line up.

Good post. The returners actually performed pretty good. Even the new guys - Yeager, Hines, etc. The real killer was pitching which everyone knows. Our pitching last year was special. NCAA record Ks in season. Set several records in CWS. Good depth and just shutdown performances from all over. Oh and the best closer in baseball. That is a formula to win a NC. We got none of that this year after injuries.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Interestingly, the 6 returning starters did well though (so far)
'21 stats below are regular season only:

Hancock in '21 .268, 10 HR 51 RBI; '22 .280 7 HR 27 RBI
LoTan: '21 .286 11 HR 40 RBI; '22 .317 7 HR 38 RBI
Kam: '21 .267 9 HR 47 RBI; '22 .303 8 HR 31 RBI
Forsythe: '21 .262 1 HR 17 RBI; '22 .290 0 HR 9 RBI
Clark: .279 2 HR 7 RBI; '22 .241 13 HR 37 RBI
Cumbest: .329 8 HR 15 RBI; '22 .303 12 HR 30 RBI

What is evident is that we missed having TA and Rowdey setting the table. That shows up in the reduced RBI's. Even as good as RJ & Hines have been, they doesn't measure up to TA & Rowdey's OBP at the top of the lineup.
Couple that with not replacing Dubrule's production and those 3 holes will kill a line up.
What was Hancocks batting average with RISP this year vs last?

[Pancho]

No idea. What is your point now?

[The Federalist Engineer]

Let's see ---

1) won a national championship a year ago in baseball - have some nice pieces but team needs tweaking for sure to be competitive. Thing is, we still have the coaches in place that got that title, no reason think they can't do it again.

2) Have two new HC in Womens and Mens basketball and both seem to be doing well in shaping up a roster for next year and the mens' HC has taken teams to the dance and won games at places with way less resources.

3) Leach's system should be maturing with a seasoned QB with probably the best defense he has ever had. It's make or break year for him to show this can be done. Should be exciting whichever way it goes

4) Track, Golf, Tenniss, Volleyball, Softball are all doing better than I can remember. I am sure someone will point out where I am wrong but everytime I turn around I see one of those getting headlines.

This is more a you thing. It happens, I go through times where life is not about sports for me too but Mississippi State sports is not in a bad way. In fact, I think the future is bright.

After saying this, you make the previous post look like the most Karen post ever. Repped

[PGHBulldogBG]

We certainly have a potential for a big upswing in sports starting with football. Whether we live up to that potential is another story. I think if we get to 9 wins whether it?s with a bowl game or not, that?s a successful season. 8 wins is average and anything below that will be disappointing. I would almost rather have LSU and UK at home this year than UGA and aTm because we most likely won?t beat either of those anyway.

[Jarius]

We certainly have a potential for a big upswing in sports starting with football. Whether we live up to that potential is another story. I think if we get to 9 wins whether it?s with a bowl game or not, that?s a successful season. 8 wins is average and anything below that will be disappointing. I would almost rather have LSU and UK at home this year than UGA and aTm because we most likely won?t beat either of those anyway.

We beat A&M as much as we beat anyone in the conference. That game is a tossup almost every year.

[BrunswickDawg]

We beat A&M as much as we beat anyone in the conference. That game is a tossup almost every year.

Yeah, I still don't understand anyone writing off that game. As long as Jimbo is there that game will likely be competitive (cue MS7 post about how awesome Jimbo is and how now he has a QB, yada yada yada).

[Dawgology]

After saying this, you make the previous post look like the most Karen post ever. Repped

"Karen post"? haha. ok.

My apathy has 50% to do with the performance of the MSU athletic program and 50% to do with current trends in portal use and recruiting.

College sports used to be about a student of your favorite school who was competing on the field and representing your school because they were PART of your school. Committed. 100% part of the student body. Now I see mercenaries just like pro-sports. Going to the highest bidder. Good for them for making that money but I think it kills the spirit of what college sports was meant to be. Of course, that spirit has been dying for a while now. Now, I rarely learn the names of players because I know many will be moving on within a year or two.

This combined with the poor performance of basketball and baseball. Coupled with mediocre results in football and egg bowl losses. In addition to the weird Covid season and everything that went along with that just kind of got me out of it all. I'm sure it has a lot to do with getting into my 40's and watching family members die over the past couple of years and through that finding joy in other places and (not to sounds overly dramatic) discovering the importance a family time and memories outside of athletics. It's a confluence of all of that and many people that I used to go to games with feel the same way now. It's hard to get a big group together to go anymore. Even to get together and watch it at home is difficult now.

[viverlibre]

We certainly have a potential for a big upswing in sports starting with football. Whether we live up to that potential is another story. I think if we get to 9 wins whether it?s with a bowl game or not, that?s a successful season. 8 wins is average and anything below that will be disappointing. I would almost rather have LSU and UK at home this year than UGA and aTm because we most likely won?t beat either of those anyway.

Prepare to be disappointed, if we get to 8 wins, Leech should be coach of the year. My expectations are 7 wins. Will needs to take a huge step this season, not from a stats standpoint, but from a big play standpoint, like not taking a sack at the worst time or running for 2 yards on 4th and 1 late in the game.

[Duckdog]

Injuries have nothing to do with the inability to throw strikes and compete on the mound

For example, if you go take a gander at Fristoe?s PG profile, you will see he walked as many batters as he K?d

Yes, electric stuff but wouldn?t that tell you it will be exasperated in the SEC where you don?t need a boat paddle to hit like with PG

We may work on command in bullpens but the stats bear out the staff as whole has poor command

What a sorry bs post!!!!!!!! Honestly, what did you expect from Fristoe?????????

[Maroonthirteen]

Apathy is probably mostly to do with your age. At least it is for me....then the other 50% is NIL, schools involvement in politics, prices...combo of it all together.

The other 50%.... I've become aware with age and experience the hierarchy of college football. We pretty much know the outcome of the big games.

[Hot Rock]

I truly don't understand the apathy for Mississippi State. Sure, It's right after loosing four straight at baseball, losing the Egg Bowl and Bowl game in football and then Howland's teams never seemed to live up to the talent. But WBB was inspiring what those 7 players did with an interim coach and all those other side teams I mentioned seem to be improving. Maybe people just need some time to decompress. I can name lots reasons why Football, baseball and both BB teams have a bright future but:

I do get the apathy for sports in general. Trust me, there have been years of my life I didn't even watch a game or even know who played in the Super Bowl or even our bowl opponent or even whether we had one, much less attend any events. I lost my wife to heart disease in 2008 after a three year battle with heart troubles and my daughter to cancer in 2019, throw in numerous other life thingy's and sports are just a fodder. It's entertainment. I have a healthy understanding of where sports belong in my life. It can be a nice distraction.

The NIL monies mean nothing to me. Why? It's always been that way. There were the have's and the have not's and State is more of a have right now than at any other time of my life. SEC monies are making a difference.

The portal? I think they will have to dial that back somewhat but in the meantime, State has really gotten better players than we have lost.

[IMissJack]

It starts and stops at the top. We have been headed down overall for a few years.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

It starts and stops at the top. We have been headed down overall for a few years.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This^^^^^^^^^^^

[Jarius]

"Karen post"? haha. ok.

My apathy has 50% to do with the performance of the MSU athletic program and 50% to do with current trends in portal use and recruiting.

College sports used to be about a student of your favorite school who was competing on the field and representing your school because they were PART of your school. Committed. 100% part of the student body. Now I see mercenaries just like pro-sports. Going to the highest bidder. Good for them for making that money but I think it kills the spirit of what college sports was meant to be. Of course, that spirit has been dying for a while now. Now, I rarely learn the names of players because I know many will be moving on within a year or two.

This combined with the poor performance of basketball and baseball. Coupled with mediocre results in football and egg bowl losses. In addition to the weird Covid season and everything that went along with that just kind of got me out of it all. I'm sure it has a lot to do with getting into my 40's and watching family members die over the past couple of years and through that finding joy in other places and (not to sounds overly dramatic) discovering the importance a family time and memories outside of athletics. It's a confluence of all of that and many people that I used to go to games with feel the same way now. It's hard to get a big group together to go anymore. Even to get together and watch it at home is difficult now.

I’m probably more excited than almost anyone about State football this year but the mercenary deal you are Talking about is spot on. I can remember growing up and memorizing the roster and idolizing the guys on our football team. Now you have no idea who is going to be there on a yearly basis. I do understand wanting to get more PT but it’s getting to the point where the superstars on smaller market teams are transferring to blue bloods and that shit is just no fun. College football used to have a loyalty draw to it where your team’s players loved your university and hated their rivals. Now they all hang out together and are friends and try to get the other ones to hit the portal and join them. It’s just gross. When I see Banks and Boobie and Fitz and guys like that get on Twitter and talk trash to ole miss it makes me smile. That’s what it’s all about. Not this bull shit where our players are ending up on the Ole Miss roster. That’s just insane to me that anyone that attends State and plays on scholarship would ever see that athletic program up the road as a destination that they would consider. That should be something we ingrain into our players day 1 when they arrive. We hate that school. There are no buddies over there. That has to come from our head coach. And yea I know everyone does it in 2022 but I don’t like the fact that will Rogers is throwing to Mingo and Heath in the off-season. Anything that makes them better is not good for us. Period. Tell them to go throw with their own damn quarterback.