Its almost time for FOOTBALL!!!!

[Cooterpoot]

I hear what you are saying. You are wrong. But I hear you. I?m not a sidewalk fan. Got my bachelor and grad from there. Donate. Don?t miss a game for almost 18 years. Over the past three years where I have not been but to a game or two. Watch them on tv when I can. I have MANY friends that are the same. Grads. Donors. Lost interest. Additionally, we are not close to the only school experiencing this.

Anybody that would think a kids name on a jersey is bigger than the program and university, is a sidewalk fan. I support State, and will donate what I can to see success. I don't follow kids on Twitter or worship them. It's just a job for most of them. Our fans are the worst in the SEC by a long mile when it comes to that kind of crap. And again, reality has shown it's false that we lose a roster every season.

[Bothrops]

I think the general sense of little hope around here has more to do with the changed dynamics of acquiring and keeping players, and being pushed further out of the spotlight by recent league expansion.

[DownwardDawg]

Anybody that would think a kids name on a jersey is bigger than the program and university, is a sidewalk fan. I support State, and will donate what I can to see success. I don't follow kids on Twitter or worship them. It's just a job for most of them. Our fans are the worst in the SEC by a long mile when it comes to that kind of crap. And again, reality has shown it's false that we lose a roster every season.

I'm not sure why you enjoy attacking State fans. State fans have always been noted as some of the best in college sports. We haven't had shit to cheer for yet we set all baseball attendance records. Our football atmosphere is outstanding especially at nights. We have always been one of the most loyal fan bases. CWS record attendance.
I don't know a single LSU fan that gives a dime to NIL and I promise you I know more LSU fans than most State fans do.

[Todd4State]

Anybody that would think a kids name on a jersey is bigger than the program and university, is a sidewalk fan. I support State, and will donate what I can to see success. I don't follow kids on Twitter or worship them. It's just a job for most of them. Our fans are the worst in the SEC by a long mile when it comes to that kind of crap. And again, reality has shown it's false that we lose a roster every season.

You must live in Starkville.

Our fans there not only want to cheer for MSU. If a player wins they want to have dinner with them at their house. I'm only half kidding.

Happened with Dak, women's basketball, and baseball.

[Todd4State]

I think the general sense of little hope around here has more to do with the changed dynamics of acquiring and keeping players, and being pushed further out of the spotlight by recent league expansion.

I think there are several factors:

1. It's a rebuilding year with a new coaching staff in their first year and we're not expected to be better than 6-6.

2. We have very little chance of beating Ole Miss who is likely to win 10 games this year. Right or wrong that does affect how into football our fans are.

3. I agree- no one knows who the hell our guys are. That's partially on the last staff that didn't rotate personnel very much.

4. Arnett was such a disaster and how Leach's death was handled by MSU really left a bad taste in the mouth of many fans. How that was handled is the kind of thing that really alienates fans. Add in the locker room disaster with players basically being outright lied to and it was a massive mess.

The only way out of it for MSU is for success to happen- similar to Dan in 2009. Fans will put up with some losses like we did in 2009 to LSU, Florida, and Houston where the losses were close and the team was a lot more competitive. Of course, excitement is really only going to be established by winning games which is also what happened in 2009 when we beat Ole Miss. 1991 was a similar season as well with Jackie being in his first year.

[Cooterpoot]

We can all say, without doubt, the school 17'd up the coaching situation with the Leach passing. But guess what, Morehead was and awful hire before that and Leach recruited like a coach looking to retire. We 17'd our program and now we've got to correct that in a changing climate. But for any fan to say "I love MSU but I'm not interested or engaged" is a killer for an already small fan base with a lot of quitters in it. Pisses me off!! I'm certainly not wealthy but I try to do my part and I try to do more each year, and have for the last three years. If the fans don't support the programs, we won't be a P4 program long. It's about revenue more than ever. Go to games, buy State stuff, give what you can. Getting mad because it's not 1998 anymore does no good.

[PMDawg]

Our fans are the worst

You may have some valid points, but I learned a long time ago to ignore anyone who ever trots out this old hyperbole. Please continue your old man rants.

[confucius say]

I think the general sense of little hope around here has more to do with the changed dynamics of acquiring and keeping players, and being pushed further out of the spotlight by recent league expansion.

But we are keeping players. We've lost almost nobody of consequence. And We've acquired way more talent than we've lost. Without the portal, we'd be 2-10 this year with no OL and no qb.
And now we have a coach who actually embraces modern football and the portal.
Hope should abound.

[ZedFedder]

But we are keeping players. We've lost almost nobody of consequence. And We've acquired way more talent than we've lost. Without the portal, we'd be 2-10 this year with no OL and no qb.
And now we have a coach who actually embraces modern football and the portal.
Hope should abound.

This.

[Dawgology]

Anybody that would think a kids name on a jersey is bigger than the program and university, is a sidewalk fan. I support State, and will donate what I can to see success. I don't follow kids on Twitter or worship them. It's just a job for most of them. Our fans are the worst in the SEC by a long mile when it comes to that kind of crap. And again, reality has shown it's false that we lose a roster every season.

Of course I pull for State and want them to win it’s why I donate…lmao. I don’t follow kids on Twitter either. I attended school at a time when (brace yourself) the student athletes were in class with us. We learned together. We worked together. We went to other sporting events together. They were part of the university and it made you feel that, in some small way, you were out there on the field with them. They were proud to wear that logo. It meant something. That is the pride and the pageantry that separated college football from the NFL. They were our students.

Now it’s just mercenary mentality. Pride and commitment to a program has waned to where it’s almost nonexistent. Transfers to highest bidder, opt outs, etc. if the athlete doesn’t really care then why should we. It’s just a business now like the NFL. I hope the kids get paid but whatever.

[DownwardDawg]

Of course I pull for State and want them to win it’s why I donate…lmao. I don’t follow kids on Twitter either. I attended school at a time when (brace yourself) the student athletes were in class with us. We learned together. We worked together. We went to other sporting events together. They were part of the university and it made you feel that, in some small way, you were out there on the field with them. They were proud to wear that logo. It meant something. That is the pride and the pageantry that separated college football from the NFL. They were our students.

Now it’s just mercenary mentality. Pride and commitment to a program has waned to where it’s almost nonexistent. Transfers to highest bidder, opt outs, etc. if the athlete doesn’t really care then why should we. It’s just a business now like the NFL. I hope the kids get paid but whatever.

Man, I remember those days!!!! I had parties at my place all the time and football players always showed up. We had a great time and it was like cheering for family when those guys were on the field.

[Brobi-wan]

Man, I remember those days!!!! I had parties at my place all the time and football players always showed up. We had a great time and it was like cheering for family when those guys were on the field.

One of my mom’s older cousins ran into D. D. Lewis because he wasn’t paying attention to where he was going. Said just walking into that dude knocked him flat on his a$$.

[Dawgology]

Man, I remember those days!!!! I had parties at my place all the time and football players always showed up. We had a great time and it was like cheering for family when those guys were on the field.

Those days were awesome and, thing is, it’s only been the past 5 years where it’s changed from that.

[SpaceBully]

Offense Leaders:
Passing- Blake Shapen
Rushing- Blake Shapen
Overall team leader- Blake Shapen
Surprise or breakout player- Blake Shapen

Defensive Leaders:
Tackles- J. Lewis
Ints- J. Lewis
Overall team leader- J. Lewis
Surprise or breakout player- J. Lewis

Sorry....these are about the only 2 players I know on the team.

[Todd4State]

Of course I pull for State and want them to win it’s why I donate…lmao. I don’t follow kids on Twitter either. I attended school at a time when (brace yourself) the student athletes were in class with us. We learned together. We worked together. We went to other sporting events together. They were part of the university and it made you feel that, in some small way, you were out there on the field with them. They were proud to wear that logo. It meant something. That is the pride and the pageantry that separated college football from the NFL. They were our students.

Now it’s just mercenary mentality. Pride and commitment to a program has waned to where it’s almost nonexistent. Transfers to highest bidder, opt outs, etc. if the athlete doesn’t really care then why should we. It’s just a business now like the NFL. I hope the kids get paid but whatever.

Yeah, now all of the football players take online classes and are rarely seen on campus outside of the football facility. I get it. But it is kind of sad.

[BorneDawg]

But we are keeping players. We've lost almost nobody of consequence. And We've acquired way more talent than we've lost. Without the portal, we'd be 2-10 this year with no OL and no qb.
And now we have a coach who actually embraces modern football and the portal.
Hope should abound.

THIS!!!

[confucius say]

Yeah, now all of the football players take online classes and are rarely seen on campus outside of the football facility. I get it. But it is kind of sad.

Not just football players either. I have a relative who is in college at USM but lives in Oxford. All online.

[Matt3467]

I think the general sense of little hope around here has more to do with the changed dynamics of acquiring and keeping players, and being pushed further out of the spotlight by recent league expansion.

This is my sentiments exactly. I was more excited about football during the Croom years than I currently am and it's more to do with being invested in the players and watching them grow in the program. As others have pointed out hardly anyone can name who plays for this team. It's great we've filled positions we'd otherwise have struggled at without the portal but when most of the team is unknown and it's going to be like this often it's hard to get attached.

If we're exciting to watch I'm sure I'll come around some however to narrow it down further my apathy has more to do with the current state of college sports in general and not this particular State team.

[confucius say]

This is my sentiments exactly. I was more excited about football during the Croom years than I currently am and it's more to do with being invested in the players and watching them grow in the program. As others have pointed out hardly anyone can name who plays for this team. It's great we've filled positions we'd otherwise have struggled at without the portal but when most of the team is unknown and it's going to be like this often it's hard to get attached.

If we're exciting to watch I'm sure I'll come around some however to narrow it down further my apathy has more to do with the current state of college sports in general and not this particular State team.

We've kept 99% of players we've wanted. No reason to think that changes now that we have a fun offense and a coach kids want to play for.
Hop in. It's going to be fun.

[NWADAWG]

Those days were awesome and, thing is, it?s only been the past 5 years where it?s changed from that.

I played a lot of basketball (Tin gym and McCarthy) with the football and basketball players during their respective off seasons. It was really cool to see guys playing on Saturdays and a few on Sundays and remember, that guy dunked on me one time.