^^^^^Quote:
Originally Posted by R2Dawg
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^^^^^Quote:
Originally Posted by R2Dawg
The boys did what they needed to do. Great win.
2017 - 1st game of season - FCS Charleston Southern - 49-0Quote:
Originally Posted by R2Dawg
To find a D1 opponent looks like have to go back to Nov 22 2014 - Vandy 51-0, we also blanked USM to start that year 49-0
For interest. we haven't started 4-0.... or 5-0 since of course 2014. (9-0 to start the year.)
Last 4 game winning streak was 2017.
So we sit here with one of the most difficult schedules in the country playing multiple playoff contenders and we have fans complaining because we played Alcorn? Typically Mississippi State fans.
There are plenty of benefits to playing these teams.
1. Home game. It's hard to get "easy" teams that are D1 to come to Starkville.
2. We get to play a ton of guys. It's a huge jump between Mississippi High School and the SEC. I know a lot of our fans and fan media people don't understand this but it is. We played a bunch of guys which builds depth and gets them college experience. We got Kamario in the game and he got to play. Got our walk on types that play on the scout teams some action. That's a nice reward for them because Rudy moments just don't happen in real life and even then that was grossly exaggerated but I digress.
And before anyone says it- yeah Alcorn is better than the best high school team in Mississippi and would easily destroy them like we destroyed Alcorn.
3. Playing in state schools is good for Mississippi. Yes even USM. Shouldn't play USM every year but I'm fine with twice every 5-6 or so. Should play Jackson State and if Mississippi Valley can ever get their act together- we should play them too.
4. If they have a player we overlooked we can start to tamper with them and add them to our team in the portal. Not saying that Alcorn is a hot bed of talent but they have put players in the NFL every now and then. I wouldn't have minded having Steve McNair, Donald Driver, and John Thierry on our team in the past.
5. Everyone else plays these games. At least MSU gave us a somewhat interesting team this year. And at least they didn't make a Larry Templeton move and sign North Dakota State up as our FCS team.
6. If these games ever go away and I don't anticipate that they will they're likely going to be around in the form of a "preseason" game. Doing away with them would hurt FCS and FBS teams too much in multiple ways. We already have "week 0" and btw weeks so adding a 13th game essentially is already pretty feasible.
7. I notice a lot of families bringing their kids to these games. It's good for them too. Smaller crowd. Likely blow out win meaning little kids are less likely to hear words their parents don't want them to hear. Can leave early because game likely won't be in doubt.
Good points Todd. This was perfect scheduling too by the way after big ASU game week before. We did accomplish a lot of confidence by the 2nd and 3rd teamers. Got Hawk and Taylor good action and first TDs. A step up with NIU also perfect heading into Tenn week. Lebby quietly showing us he knows what he is doing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Todd4State
Yeah. Because if we lost to Arizona State we would have been able to pick up the pieces a little bit. And we have had a road test by playing USM.Quote:
Originally Posted by R2Dawg
As it is we built our confidence and built on the Arizona State win. Hopefully it will pay off in SEC play.