Scrimmage today

[MBDawg601]

I don't see ASU as some huge game like others, not in the win-loss formula. I think TN, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri are just as winnable. All four of those are ranked a good bit behind ASU, some way way behind.

Now for early momentum, yea it matters. But if we play a top 10 team like them close in week 2, there should still be a lot of momentum for ball knowers.

Timing of this game makes it huge.. getting off to an undefeated start with ASU likely being a top 10 team is a must win. Win that one and you have confidence, fan support and something worth talking about. ASU is picked to win the big 12 (shared odds with 3-4 others)

Lose that game and we are exactly who they say we are.

[TrapGame]

In disagreement on that one Trap. Why OM is getting all the love and top-20 ranking with only 5 starters returning to include a new QB is quite absurd. I know they hit the portal hard, but still I'd take ASU over their roster.

UT also has very little returning on the offensive side of the ball to include a transfer QB who is unproven in the SEC.

I like our chances with ASU in game 2 at home and am of the opinion we start 4-0 with UT rolling into Starkvegas in game 5.

Well, I will agree with you on our chances to beat ASU. I still think they are overrated. Of course, they could push our shit in on September 6th and we'll have a ghost town of a stadium by the 4th quarter but I really don't think that's going to happen.

[TrapGame]

Timing of this game makes it huge.. getting off to an undefeated start with ASU likely being a top 10 team is a must win. Win that one and you have confidence, fan support and something worth talking about. ASU is picked to win the big 12 (shared odds with 3-4 others)

Lose that game and we are exactly who they say we are.

EXACTLY!

Want some early lightning and a big buzz? Beat ASU on September 6th.

[confucius say]

Timing of this game makes it huge.. getting off to an undefeated start with ASU likely being a top 10 team is a must win. Win that one and you have confidence, fan support and something worth talking about. ASU is picked to win the big 12 (shared odds with 3-4 others)

Lose that game and we are exactly who they say we are.

I agree mostly with the first paragraph and the timing being important.
The second paragraph I don't get. We lose a one score game to a top 10 team picked to win the Big 12 with a Heisman candidate qb and it means we suck? That doesn't make sense. We could lose that game and still be much better than people think.

[CaptainObvious]

I agree mostly with the first paragraph and the timing being important.
The second paragraph I don't get. We lose a one score game to a top 10 team picked to win the Big 12 with a Heisman candidate qb and it means we suck? That doesn't make sense. We could lose that game and still be much better than people think.

Let me see if I can help.

Beat Arizona State, a consensus Top 15 team in 2025, and that means you have the coaching and the talent to beat several more on your schedule, specifically, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri and Ole Miss.

Lose a close game to ASU, then beat N.Illinois in a close game and sleep walk through Alcorn and you are likely to lose to Tennessee, A & M and Florida and be 3-4 going into Texas. Come out of that one 3-5 and you have to win 3 of the last 4 to get to 6.

Beat ASU and get to 4-0 with Tennessee coming to town, you are probably in the Top 25 or for sure receiving votes, so TV can have a quasi Top 25 matchup.

[confucius say]

Let me see if I can help.

Beat Arizona State, a consensus Top 15 team in 2025, and that means you have the coaching and the talent to beat several more on your schedule, specifically, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri and Ole Miss.

Lose a close game to ASU, then beat N.Illinois in a close game and sleep walk through Alcorn and you are likely to lose to Tennessee, A & M and Florida and be 3-4 going into Texas. Come out of that one 3-5 and you have to win 3 of the last 4 to get to 6.

Beat ASU and get to 4-0 with Tennessee coming to town, you are probably in the Top 25 or for sure receiving votes, so TV can have a quasi Top 25 matchup.

First paragraph. You can lose by 3 to ASU and that still means you have the coaching and talent to beat all those teams you listed.

Second paragraph. You're assuming that if we lose by 3 to ASU we suck verses NIU and Alcorn. If we lose barely to ASU, The much more likely scenario is we blow out NIU and Alcorn and are a slight underdog or favorite with TN coming to town.

Just be 4-1 going to October. Really doesn't matter if your loss is to ASU or TN.

[Todd4State]

I agree mostly with the first paragraph and the timing being important.
The second paragraph I don't get. We lose a one score game to a top 10 team picked to win the Big 12 with a Heisman candidate qb and it means we suck? That doesn't make sense. We could lose that game and still be much better than people think.

It may or may not mean we suck. But a win helps with national perception. We just need some juice.

[confucius say]

It may or may not mean we suck. But a win helps with national perception. We just need some juice.

I agree with that. I'm strictly talking about wins and losses.

[Bothrops]

If we can't beat Arizona State at home this year, we'll go 1-7 or 0-8 in the league.

[MBDawg601]

I agree mostly with the first paragraph and the timing being important.
The second paragraph I don't get. We lose a one score game to a top 10 team picked to win the Big 12 with a Heisman candidate qb and it means we suck? That doesn't make sense. We could lose that game and still be much better than people think.

I?m sorry, I meant in the eyes of the world, outside of State fans? we are who they thought we were.

[confucius say]

I?m sorry, I meant in the eyes of the world, outside of State fans? we are who they thought we were.

I agree it's important for perception and all the "outside noise" as lebby calls it. But if we play them to the wire I do think it will raise some eyebrows, both at us and at them.

[Hot Rock]

Arizona St is huge for this season

I like the way you said that. "this season". It is absolutely HUUUGE for this year's team and fan base if State can win it. A new level of excitement would ensue.

A loss? I think it does little harm as there is already no excitement and ASU is a top 15 team. It becomes about the progress and if this staff is the right group of coaches to see it through.

I see this game as being lots of outcomes could still indicate this team is headed in the right direction but:

It's no doubt life and excitement would get interjected into everything with a win.

[MBDawg601]

I agree it's important for perception and all the "outside noise" as lebby calls it. But if we play them to the wire I do think it will raise some eyebrows, both at us and at them.

Yep, but then part of me remembers last years team taking the big 12 champ to a 7 point game on the road?. well we see how that turned out.

I think at this point anything but a W before conference play will cripple the fan base for the rest of the season. Have to get them back into it. A close loss won?t do anything to motivate an average fan. They want to see Ws.

[WSOPdawg]

Yep, but then part of me remembers last years team taking the big 12 champ to a 7 point game on the road?. well we see how that turned out.

I think at this point anything but a W before conference play will cripple the fan base for the rest of the season. Have to get them back into it. A close loss won?t do anything to motivate an average fan. They want to see Ws.

And wasn't that the game where Shapen fumbled inside the 5 leading to an easy scoop-n-score for ASU? And that 7 points proved to be the difference in the game. And I think we can all agree that we are a much improved and more talented team this year than last. Cautiously optimistic about this one, boys...

[TrapGame]

And wasn't that the game where Shapen fumbled inside the 5 leading to an easy scoop-n-score for ASU? And that 7 points proved to be the difference in the game. And I think we can all agree that we are a much improved and more talented team this year than last. Cautiously optimistic about this one, boys...

I forgot all about the scoop and score. The dropped TD to Troare and the stupid ass offensive PI that wiped out a 30+ yard gain are what stick in my memory.

[WSOPdawg]

I forgot all about the scoop and score. The dropped TD to Troare and the stupid ass offensive PI that wiped out a 30+ yard gain are what stick in my memory.

Exactly, so many mistakes that had us down 30-3 at one point before we started playing "clean(er)" to bring it within 7. Plus, throw those West Coasters into the early September 105* humidity of MS and let's let our offense play clean and see if Lebby can't take down his 1st ranked opponent.

[MBDawg601]

Exactly, so many mistakes that had us down 30-3 at one point before we started playing "clean(er)" to bring it within 7. Plus, throw those West Coasters into the early September 105* humidity of MS and let's let our offense play clean and see if Lebby can't take down his 1st ranked opponent.

With our luck, it'll be the coolest September night in History. 73 and 20% humidity. But really, I think we win this. I am starting to sip the koolaid.

[Todd4State]

Exactly, so many mistakes that had us down 30-3 at one point before we started playing "clean(er)" to bring it within 7. Plus, throw those West Coasters into the early September 105* humidity of MS and let's let our offense play clean and see if Lebby can't take down his 1st ranked opponent.

I don't think players from Arizona are going to have problems with the heat.

[CaptainObvious]

I don't think players from Arizona are going to have problems with the heat.

But they should be about 25 lbs lighter by mid 3rd Qtr!

[Percho]

Read all the same interviews as you from coaches ("Coachspeak") and players ("Playerspeak"). They can definately "talk the talk" as all teams do this time of year. Now can they "walk the walk"? Time will tell very quickly. I lost my maroon colored glasses two years ago. Show me something.

Reminds me of

Pinkley:
[impersonating a general] Very pretty, Colonel, Very pretty, But, can they fight?