Game Week - Finally

[Lord McBuckethead]

Well it has been a long wait. Seems like it was 600 days ago we laid a turd in back to back games against Ole Miss and TT, but here we are. The third year iteration of the Leach system. I am not exactly sure what we are going to get this season. As mentioned before, I believe our season hinges on OL play once again as it almost always does with every team. I for one is tired. Tired of us entering the season with national media just really not paying attention to us. From SEC Network all the way through all the pickers out there, no love whatsoever. Picked damn near the last in the SEC, with only Vandy and Auburn there to break our fall. Well, we can all say that is bullshit, and we almost always do better than picked, but the proof is in the on the field WINS. Win, and all things will come. Lose, well you just proved them all correct.

Here is how I see the year.

1. We beat all of our non-conference foes. WE are better than all of them. We have the better roster. WE have the better coach. We are stronger, faster, and deeper than all of them combined. Time to start acting like it. We beat Memphis by 24. We are going to be able to name our score against the other 3. No respect is given here. We are better, we will execute, we will win, handily.

2. SEC wins - Auburn, LSU, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Ole Miss. Those are the games I am saying we win. Auburn is terrible and their coach will be fired before Halloween. Kentucky, well they lost their WR and their QB is not very good. We are better on both lines than their counterparts. We win this one by 10 at their place. Arkansas, surely in year 3 Leach can dial something up for 17s sake. LSU, we are better and they know it. We should have beat them last year but we will this year. First year head coach, coaching against Leach. We will score 2 tds just because they decided to run man to man against us, which I don't think anyone can successfully. At least not in the NCAA. Ole Miss, hopefully Leach can put it on them this year. This, of all the ones listed above, is probably our hardest game. No idea what they are going to be like. Maybe, they enter the game 5-6 on a 6 game losing streak, and we put the final dagger in them. Who knows?

3. GA and Bama - Both are tough. Mistake free football and we could get one of them. But they both excel at forcing mistakes.

4. Texas AM - We went into the Home of the 12th man and took their souls last year. We get them at home this year. Their QB does not scare me one bit. Kind of like Kellen Mond, just kind of a guy even Jimbo never trusted to win the game for them. I would like to think we handle business in this game, but it all depends on who comes out and takes charge. This game will be fun to see.

So 10-2 or 9-3. Time to stop being timid. Let's be ready to execute and attack. Hailstate.

[Maroonthirteen]

Hear, hear. Im not going to make any predictions. Im just so pumped this morning. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve. I can't wait to get there Saturday morning, get set up and see what we got Saturday night.

Hail State!
Whoop them tricks.

[dawgman15]

The Grind [ON] OFF

[somebodyshotmypaw]

Well it has been a long wait. Seems like it was 600 days ago we laid a turd in back to back games against Ole Miss and TT, but here we are. The third year iteration of the Leach system. I am not exactly sure what we are going to get this season. As mentioned before, I believe our season hinges on OL play once again as it almost always does with every team. I for one is tired. Tired of us entering the season with national media just really not paying attention to us. From SEC Network all the way through all the pickers out there, no love whatsoever. Picked damn near the last in the SEC, with only Vandy and Auburn there to break our fall. Well, we can all say that is bullshit, and we almost always do better than picked, but the proof is in the on the field WINS. Win, and all things will come. Lose, well you just proved them all correct.

Here is how I see the year.

1. We beat all of our non-conference foes. WE are better than all of them. We have the better roster. WE have the better coach. We are stronger, faster, and deeper than all of them combined. Time to start acting like it. We beat Memphis by 24. We are going to be able to name our score against the other 3. No respect is given here. We are better, we will execute, we will win, handily.

2. SEC wins - Auburn, LSU, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Ole Miss. Those are the games I am saying we win. Auburn is terrible and their coach will be fired before Halloween. Kentucky, well they lost their WR and their QB is not very good. We are better on both lines than their counterparts. We win this one by 10 at their place. Arkansas, surely in year 3 Leach can dial something up for 17s sake. LSU, we are better and they know it. We should have beat them last year but we will this year. First year head coach, coaching against Leach. We will score 2 tds just because they decided to run man to man against us, which I don't think anyone can successfully. At least not in the NCAA. Ole Miss, hopefully Leach can put it on them this year. This, of all the ones listed above, is probably our hardest game. No idea what they are going to be like. Maybe, they enter the game 5-6 on a 6 game losing streak, and we put the final dagger in them. Who knows?

3. GA and Bama - Both are tough. Mistake free football and we could get one of them. But they both excel at forcing mistakes.

4. Texas AM - We went into the Home of the 12th man and took their souls last year. We get them at home this year. Their QB does not scare me one bit. Kind of like Kellen Mond, just kind of a guy even Jimbo never trusted to win the game for them. I would like to think we handle business in this game, but it all depends on who comes out and takes charge. This game will be fun to see.

So 10-2 or 9-3. Time to stop being timid. Let's be ready to execute and attack. Hailstate.

So did I miss the news? Did Levis get a season ending injury and they are playing the backup QB? But I'm not scared of Kentucky.

[dawgman15]

So did I miss the news? Did Levis get a season ending injury and they are playing the backup QB? But I'm not scared of Kentucky.

No, but he lost his number 1 receiver responsible for 47% of his passing yards.

[Saltydog]

UH, UK has a solid QB.....

[confucius say]

UH, UK has a solid QB.....

Do they? I read he threw for 200 yards or more only one time vs sec opponents last year. And led the league in picks, despite being middle of the pack in attempts.

[PikeDawg15]

UH, UK has a solid QB.....

Will Levis is the most ovverated Qb for no reason in college football.

[PikeDawg15]

9-3 with losses to bama, Georgia, and Texas A$M with a outside shot a NY6 bowl selection in one of the at large bowls like the cotton bowl .

Hail State!!!!!!

[Maroonthirteen]

I will say this. Everyone is chalking Memphis and AZ up as easy wins. However they won't be push overs.

I believe Memphis lost a good number of players. However they have the QB back as well as a WR and RB. Their defense is supposed to be weak but they got a few transfers from other small schools. So who knows. But I will say if we beat them by 24, that will be impressive.

Going to UofAZ, I agree with Robbie Faulk on this one. Arizona won't be a pushover. We should win. But they received a few transfers in to upgrade their roster. It's a long trip. Possibly an element of climate conditions that we aren't accustomed. It is a winnable game but will require some work.

[PikeDawg15]

I will say this. Everyone is chalking Memphis and AZ up as easy wins. However they won't be push overs.

I believe Memphis lost a good number of players. However they have the QB back as well as a WR and RB. Their defense is supposed to be weak but they got a few transfers from other small schools. So who knows. But I will say if we beat them by 24, that will be impressive.

Going to UofAZ, I agree with Robbie Faulk on this one. Arizona won't be a pushover. We should win. But they received a few transfers in to upgrade their roster. It's a long trip. Possibly an element of climate conditions that we aren't accustomed. It is a winnable game but will require some work.

If we lose to a arizona that went 1-11 last season, you can go ahead and prepare to fire mike leach because he isnt making a bowl game if that happens.

[thf24]

No, but he lost his number 1 receiver responsible for 47% of his passing yards.

And almost half of that 47%, over 600 yards, were after the catch. It's utterly mind-blowing what Robinson did for Levis last year, and despite him Levis' numbers were still mediocre.

Add in their #2 last year who's also gone, and that's nearly 70% of their passing yards they have to make up. I don't care who they brought in; unless it's another Robinson, it's going to be an uphill battle for Levis just to reach the same marks he did last year, let alone live up to the NFL hype.

[Maroonthirteen]

If we lose to a arizona that went 1-11 last season, you can go ahead and prepare to fire mike leach because he isnt making a bowl game if that happens.

Oh I definitely think we start out 2-0. And we should. But.... winning big both games. I'm no so sure. If we do tilt the scoreboard in both games and the defense shows out. I like your 9-3 prediction.

[Jack Lambert]

What's the weather looking like Saturday? I need to plan accordingly.

[thf24]

Going to UofAZ, I agree with Robbie Faulk on this one. Arizona won't be a pushover. We should win. But they received a few transfers in to upgrade their roster. It's a long trip. Possibly an element of climate conditions that we aren't accustomed. It is a winnable game but will require some work.

Shouldn't be a factor as long as the training staff is on their game, 100 degrees in 35% humidity is an improvement over 90 in 75%. I'd be more worried about acclimating to the time change.

[dawgman15]

At least Mike Leach has experience himself preparing for Arizona, maybe he can use what he learned in his years with WSU to mitigate any climate or altitude differences

[Catfish]

I think we go into Baton Rouge 2-0. If we win these two relatively easy I think we're 3-0 after LSU. Bowling Green easy win. If we can take down T A&M we're going to have a great season.

[Tater]

PAC 12 After Dark is spooky. I just don't like that time slot ever.

But every game besides Bama is very winnable. I think Georgia has a championship slump year. If we execute right on offense and neither tackle is a complete turnstile then we've got a great chance at a magical season. Year 3 of Leach / Will here we go.

[Reason2succeed]

I think we go into Baton Rouge 2-0. If we win these two relatively easy I think we're 3-0 after LSU. Bowling Green easy win. If we can take down T A&M we're going to have a great season.

I totally agree. In some ways the season hinges on or trip to Death Valley. (I?m really glad the team is focused on 1-0 but as fans we can look ahead.)

Beat LSU and the attention of the nation is on us.

It?s all about execution. Catch passes. Make tackles.

We have the talent to compete with everyone but Alabama & Georgia and I?m not conceding Georgia because they have a lot of inexperience and are playing here.

9-3. Losses to Alabama, Georgia and another team.

[TrapGame]

If Mike Leach loses to Arizona he needs to be fired. That's just unacceptable in year three w/ this much experience returning. With that said I think we show up with our B game and still win handily.

LSU is the key. We win that game and it's on. I think we do. In fact, I think we roll into Death Valley and make Kelly look bad for his first SEC game as LSU's head coach.

A&M is a different story. It's at our place but I'm thinking Jimbo circled this game on the calendar. He can't lose to Leach two in a row. But, I think he will.

If we wind up 5-0 we will be the darlings of college football 2022. All eyes will be on us.

[THE Bruce Dickinson]

PAC 12 After Dark is spooky. I just don't like that time slot ever.

But every game besides Bama is very winnable. I think Georgia has a championship slump year. If we execute right on offense and neither tackle is a complete turnstile then we've got a great chance at a magical season. Year 3 of Leach / Will here we go.

Arizona has trap written all over it. It's loud and clear. I think we are going to win this game, but weird things happen in the PAC 12 at 1 in the morning. That and the fact that we are playing our SEC opener against LSU the next week, make this game very spooky. Like I said, I think we win, but I would take Arizona and the points.

[Lord McBuckethead]

So I came back, because I just remembered I had posted my take on the season this morning. I fully expected most to be basically talking shit, but for some reason people seem quietly optimistic for a change. I believe we have it in us to do something very special this year. I just have this feeling. We have the pieces, we just need to stay laser focused until the Bama game. Then let the chips fall where they may. Just take care of the ball, have quality possessions, don't waste any of them, and let's just do what we do. Like last year at Auburn, if we are doing our jobs, they literally cannot stop us.

[Goldendawg]

I will say this. Everyone is chalking Memphis and AZ up as easy wins. However they won't be push overs.

I believe Memphis lost a good number of players. However they have the QB back as well as a WR and RB. Their defense is supposed to be weak but they got a few transfers from other small schools. So who knows. But I will say if we beat them by 24, that will be impressive.

Going to UofAZ, I agree with Robbie Faulk on this one. Arizona won't be a pushover. We should win. But they received a few transfers in to upgrade their roster. It's a long trip. Possibly an element of climate conditions that we aren't accustomed. It is a winnable game but will require some work.

Good grief! Arizona went 1-11 last year. If we don't win by a large margin, we are in for a horrible year!

[Captain Falcon]

Arizona will be better than they?ve been the last couple of years but we should still win the game. I don?t like the PAC 12 after dark slot either and weird stuff could happen, but we are better across the board.

[Tater]

Arizona has trap written all over it. It's loud and clear. I think we are going to win this game, but weird things happen in the PAC 12 at 1 in the morning. That and the fact that we are playing our SEC opener against LSU the next week, make this game very spooky. Like I said, I think we win, but I would take Arizona and the points.

It's basically free money in the long run to take the underdog and points in the pac 12 after dark slot.

If this game kicked off at 7 pm CT then I think we win by 30+. Because it's in that slot, it screams struggle win. If this team comes away with two blowout wins to start the season though... then it sets up well.

[Tater]

So I came back, because I just remembered I had posted my take on the season this morning. I fully expected most to be basically talking shit, but for some reason people seem quietly optimistic for a change. I believe we have it in us to do something very special this year. I just have this feeling. We have the pieces, we just need to stay laser focused until the Bama game. Then let the chips fall where they may. Just take care of the ball, have quality possessions, don't waste any of them, and let's just do what we do. Like last year at Auburn, if we are doing our jobs, they literally cannot stop us.

I haven't been this confident in our team since 2013-2014 off season I remember explaining to someone that I thought our worst case scenario was 9-3 with losses to LSU, Bama, and Auburn. Other than throwing the Egg Bowl, my gut was mostly right. My gut says worst non-injury scenario is 8-4 with losses to Georgia, Bama, Leach's trademark random ass loss, and A&M. I really think we get Georgia and A&M too. So 10-2 is what I'm circling.

2017-2018 off-season had us missing a coach. If Dan stayed I had been more optimistic then.

Note: The Season win total line keeps moving toward more wins for us. Vegas seeing us as undervalued at 6.5 wins. Moved from -110 to -160 for over.

[R2Dawg]

I haven't been this confident in our team since 2013-2014 off season I remember explaining to someone that I thought our worst case scenario was 9-3 with losses to LSU, Bama, and Auburn. Other than throwing the Egg Bowl, my gut was mostly right. My gut says worst non-injury scenario is 8-4 with losses to Georgia, Bama, Leach's trademark random ass loss, and A&M. I really think we get Georgia and A&M too. So 10-2 is what I'm circling.

2017-2018 off-season had us missing a coach. If Dan stayed I had been more optimistic then.

Note: The Season win total line keeps moving toward more wins for us. Vegas seeing us as undervalued at 6.5 wins. Moved from -110 to -160 for over.

Agree. I remember the talk before 14 and there was some serious wool coming out of fall camp. The media had it too though. I must watched apart of the USM game last week that opened 14 and the media was already calling us.

We ain't 14 level confidence by any means but most since 18 and in some ways a little more (18 had the whole Nick coming back thing and can Joe turn it around cloud). I guess Leach year 3 is similar after underwhelming start.

I see a big year coming 9-10 wins.

[Lord McBuckethead]

So did I miss the news? Did Levis get a season ending injury and they are playing the backup QB? But I'm not scared of Kentucky.

Levis has a strong arm, but damn did he throw a bunch of picks last year. Also, most of his yards went after the catch to one guy. That dude is gone. Along with the 2nd guy too, I believe. He kind of remind me of that typical Penn State guy. Strong arm, cocky as hell, but the stat sheet looks bare.

[PGHBulldogBG]

This board will be brutal if we lose to Arizona. Like others have said, I think we win that game but it will probably be closer than we want. Something tells me I will have to stay up through the end to know for sure if we win. Memphis on the other hand I think we win convincingly. Probably about 38-13 type

[Dawgfan77]

It's basically free money in the long run to take the underdog and points in the pac 12 after dark slot.

If this game kicked off at 7 pm CT then I think we win by 30+. Because it's in that slot, it screams struggle win. If this team comes away with two blowout wins to start the season though... then it sets up well.

I just don't get the concern here with the time. It's at 8 in AZ. If it was as 7 CST it would be 5 there. It's not kicking off at 10 out west.

[Tater]

I just don't get the concern here with the time. It's at 8 in AZ. If it was as 7 CST it would be 5 there. It's not kicking off at 10 out west.

It's more about the fact that stupid shit happens in that time slot rather than actual concern with the time. PAC 12 After Dark has a well earned reputation. And Leach has been on the losing end of its best game.

[Goldendawg]

Maybe we should just forfeit as it is past our bedtime. After all they did win one game last year! With what we have coming back, if we can't win this game how do some of y'all expect a good year?

[bulldawg28]

I'm so glad the season starts this weekend!
Here here fellas to a great season and dialogue.

[99jc]

this site is full of p u s s i e s

[BuckyIsAB****]

Win the egg.

[Goldendawg]

I'm so glad the season starts this weekend!
Here here fellas to a great season and dialogue.

So true. From 10-2 or 9-3 to worried about a 1-11 2021 team on the road because of a later than usual KO. We are State!

[Catfish]

We could be 2-10 or 10-2 so I'm thinking we should take this season one game at a time. Forget season predictions and just focus on Memphis. Next week we'll focus on Arizona.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

6-6 with an Egg Bowl loss.

[DownwardDawg]

this site is full of p u s s i e s

You post this after the entire board is calling for 8-10 wins? WTF dude?

[Dawgfan77]

You post this after the entire board is calling for 8-10 wins? WTF dude?

No, he posted that about some folks worried about going to AZ.

[BiscuitEater]

UH, UK has a solid QB.....

Who had 'how many' picks at DWS last year? 3 or 4? And our D should be better!

[EdwardDrayton]

I?m old enough to know that Mississippi State sports can napalm the most well-founded predictions. So no predictions. About anything.

Well except that I will turn on the game Saturday evening with much anticipation. All the while hoping we don?t pull a Mississippi State.

[PikeDawg15]

I think that if we beat LSU in week 3 that will change a lot of folks on here and media perspective on this team. But we have 2 games before that so

**** MEMPHIS

[Catfish]

I think that if we beat LSU in week 3 that will change a lot of folks on here and media perspective on this team. But we have 2 games before that so

**** MEMPHIS

Exactly, Memphis first.

[DownwardDawg]

No, he posted that about some folks worried about going to AZ.

I gotcha. I think we destroy Arizona

[Kylesandi338]

I think we will be ranked in the top 10 when Arkansas comes to town!! Hail State and lets go prove some doubters wrong!!

[Desoto1967]

Looks like rain Saturday night. Hope this doesn't effect the game

[Reason2succeed]

Last year we had a young team that did young team things.
We overlooked La Tech & Memphis.
We started slow in game after game.

Read their t-shirts and listen to their huddle break. 1-0!!!

This S&C has been kicking their butt and reminding them all summer long of how inconsistent they were.

Will it translate to Saturdays? We?re about to find out. But I choose to believe that we will be better and more consistent. If we do those two things we are in for a great season. HailState

[TrapGame]

Last year we had a young team that did young team things.
We overlooked La Tech & Memphis.
We started slow in game after game.

Read their t-shirts and listen to their huddle break. 1-0!!!

This S&C has been kicking their butt and reminding them all summer long of how inconsistent they were.

Will it translate to Saturdays? We?re about to find out. But I choose to believe that we will be better and more consistent. If we do those two things we are in for a great season. HailState

And let's be honest here. 2020 was a half-ass season. It reality this is full season 2 with the Air Raid. Will didn't even take a snap in 2020 until 5th or 6th game.

I also think we lacked some leadership last year. Guys were waiting for someone to be the alpha. We've got that this year.

[Catfish]

Last year we had a young team that did young team things.
We overlooked La Tech & Memphis.
We started slow in game after game.

Read their t-shirts and listen to their huddle break. 1-0!!!

This S&C has been kicking their butt and reminding them all summer long of how inconsistent they were.

Will it translate to Saturdays? We?re about to find out. But I choose to believe that we will be better and more consistent. If we do those two things we are in for a great season. HailState

Agree with this. I think our leadership will be key this year. I think we'll be much more consistent on offense and defense.

[WhiskeyPirate]

Agree with this. I think our leadership will be key this year. I think we'll be much more consistent on offense and defense.
I think our backs and line will be good enough to route them regardless of the weather assuming a monsoon. Defense will shut them down. I?m looking for a route.

[Catfish]

I think our backs and line will be good enough to route them regardless of the weather assuming a monsoon. Defense will shut them down. I?m looking for a route.

Yes!!!

[memsu06]

I would love for this to be the game Leach runs the ball nearly every play. We have 3 RBs that could make that happen.

1/2 of this forum would go mad, lol.

[Reason2succeed]

I would love for this to be the game Leach runs the ball nearly every play. We have 3 RBs that could make that happen.

1/2 of this forum would go mad, lol.

From all indications Will has the ability to change to run plays at the line. I hope he is patient enough to take what the defense gives him even if he ends up running the ball over and over like Northwestern did against Nebraska. Imagine if we put it on film that we are not only willing to running the ball down your throat but are effective when doing so. We would only have to do that once to put DCs on notice.