Buy / Sell: This team has substantially improved since Week 1 against USM

[Dawgface]

Slightly better. So sell.

[MabenMaroon]

As I say every week- our solution to the running game is Dontavian Lee. It's just up to Dan to decide to compromise his ideals for the better for all of us.

Well, he needs to make some tremendous strides in his pass blocking, route running and overall scheme responsibilities. His running ability may be the best on the team but screw ups in the other aspects of the game could lead to some devastating outcomes in games. It is a real reach to be saying that Coaches Mullen, Know and Hevesy are holding him back because of ideals, seniority or loyalty. I can assure you that every member of our coaching staff and team wants to win and dominate as much or more than you, myself or any other MSU fan does. Their rather large salaries depend on it.
The real question is, how does a D Lee, A-Train, or any other future back get to the point that they are playing position completely and not risking the outcomes of games doing so? Is it in-game experience or showing that they have a complete grasp in practice before being put in real game situations?
In tightly played games or games with evenly matched opponents the result often comes down to full team execution on just a few plays. One player missing his assignment on those plays can be difference between a touchdown or a turnover and both can be game changers. How much do the coaches want to risk?

[CadaverDawg]

Well, he needs to make some tremendous strides in his pass blocking, route running and overall scheme responsibilities. His running ability may be the best on the team but screw ups in the other aspects of the game could lead to some devastating outcomes in games. It is a real reach to be saying that Coaches Mullen, Know and Hevesy are holding him back because of ideals, seniority or loyalty. I can assure you that every member of our coaching staff and team wants to win and dominate as much or more than you, myself or any other MSU fan does. Their rather large salaries depend on it.
The real question is, how does a D Lee, A-Train, or any other future back get to the point that they are playing position completely and not risking the outcomes of games doing so? Is it in-game experience or showing that they have a complete grasp in practice before being put in real game situations?
In tightly played games or games with evenly matched opponents the result often comes down to full team execution on just a few plays. One player missing his assignment on those plays can be difference between a touchdown or a turnover and both can be game changers. How much do the coaches want to risk?

If it takes a year and 6 games to pick up our pass blocking schemes and other assignments, it's not a player problem, it's a "our assignments and blocking schemes are too damn complex" problem. And if that truly is the reason they aren't playing....are you telling me that Lee, Williams, Dear, AND Gray all seem to be poor at learning all of our required assignments? I'm not buying that.

And I don't see how Lee missing a block on Dak's blindside, could be any worse than having Holloway responsible for your blindside. At least Lee has a shot at getting an actual block....while Holloway is like a fly on the windshield of these Defensive Ends and blitzing linebackers.

But that's just me

[Saltydog]

We haven't substantially improved anywhere.

[Bully13]

We haven't substantially improved anywhere.

this. unfortunately.

[Todd4State]

Well, he needs to make some tremendous strides in his pass blocking, route running and overall scheme responsibilities. His running ability may be the best on the team but screw ups in the other aspects of the game could lead to some devastating outcomes in games. It is a real reach to be saying that Coaches Mullen, Know and Hevesy are holding him back because of ideals, seniority or loyalty. I can assure you that every member of our coaching staff and team wants to win and dominate as much or more than you, myself or any other MSU fan does. Their rather large salaries depend on it.
The real question is, how does a D Lee, A-Train, or any other future back get to the point that they are playing position completely and not risking the outcomes of games doing so? Is it in-game experience or showing that they have a complete grasp in practice before being put in real game situations?
In tightly played games or games with evenly matched opponents the result often comes down to full team execution on just a few plays. One player missing his assignment on those plays can be difference between a touchdown or a turnover and both can be game changers. How much do the coaches want to risk?

He's better than Holloway at pass blocking and guess who we brought in to help with our pass blocking against Texas A&M? Lee.

[defiantdog]

He's better than Holloway at pass blocking and guess who we brought in to help with our pass blocking against Texas A&M? Lee.

Yeah, the pass blocking excuse is laughable. Lee should move up in the depth charts next week. We need a guy that runs with purpose. Cause Holloway and Shump wouldn't start for Troy right now.

[Bothrops]

Lee is our best RB. Lee will see the least amount of snaps this year. I'm starting to believe this to be true.

[TrapGame]

Yeah, the pass blocking excuse is laughable. Lee should move up in the depth charts next week. We need a guy that runs with purpose. Cause Holloway and Shump wouldn't start for Troy right now.

This^^^^^

It just boggles my mind that every touch by Lee gives us a chance for a big gain but Shump gets the touches and gets tackled by shadows and hash marks!

ETA: To the op we haven't improved much since USM. And it's primarily coaching imo.

[Drugdog]

Sell. We won't beat a team with a winning record this year.

[BulldogBear]

Sell. We won't beat a team with a winning record this year.

Dang. I know the Beardsharks are falling apart and stuff but you really think Memphis will beat them?****

[Quaoarsking]

Sell. We won't beat a team with a winning record this year.

So you think

• Southern Miss is going to lose 4 of their last 6 against CUSA scrubs
• Either Louisiana Tech will come into Starkville and beat us OR Louisiana Tech goes 1-4 in its last 5 against CUSA scrubs
• Either Kentucky will come into Starkville and beat us OR Kentucky somehow fails to have a winning season despite Charlotte and Vandy left on the schedule
• Either Missouri beats us OR Missouri somehow falls to 5-7 despite several scrubs remaining on the schedule
• Either Arkansas beats us OR Arkansas falls to 5-7 (that one's not as unlikely)

Except for the last 1, it's pretty likely that none of those things happen, and you honestly believe that ALL of them will??

ETA: Auburn has a decent shot at a winning season if they beat Kentucky Thursday, so there's another. We could easily have 4 or 5 wins over teams with winning records, and even if we don't, the odds of having 0 are tiny.

[IMissJack]

Sell: I do think the D has improved some, but the O has not looked smooth in SEC games, and every other team has improved some since their first game of the season; some more than others (See FL).

[Bothrops]

Kentucky is a lot like us, they've got problems. But they could bomb out from here on and still make a bowl. I kinda feel like Auburn will get them Thurs.

USM will probably win 6 or 7.

[Todd4State]

Yeah, the pass blocking excuse is laughable. Lee should move up in the depth charts next week. We need a guy that runs with purpose. Cause Holloway and Shump wouldn't start for Troy right now.

I'm not exactly sure why Lee has to be a complete back when none of our backs are complete backs.

Shumpert is the best blocker and the best receiver- but he is not a very good runner.

Holloway is explosive at times- but he can not block because of his size and he is not a good receiver. He's also best if he can run outside.

Aeries looks OK but he isn't as productive as Lee.

Lee can run the ball, can block respectably well, and I don't know about his route running, but I do know that the one time we threw to him he caught it against LSU and got six yards. Even if he sucks as a pass catcher, it's worth the sacrifice especially with the other weapons we do have.

Malik Dear- we apparently are pigeon holing him as a slot WR only.

[Todd4State]

Kentucky is a lot like us, they've got problems. But they could bomb out from here on and still make a bowl. I kinda feel like Auburn will get them Thurs.

USM will probably win 6 or 7.

I think USM wins 8. Their only other loss coming to La Tech on the road. I think Auburn will beat UK and I think Auburn will get better as the year goes along and makes a bowl. Agree on UK making a bowl.

[Drugdog]

So your proud of beating USM, La Tech, possibly Kentucky ? This is why we get no respect. Losing to LSU ,AM, probably to Bama and God forbid to the Bears and look back at who we beat. A bunch of chumps.

Yes we were good at the beginning of 2014. Best team in the country!!!!!!

BUT SINCE the last 4 games of last year and the first 6 games of this year we have not played well. This is almost a complete season of playing poor. There is a problem.

Wins: Vandy, USM, AU , Northwest State and Troy.

Loses: Bama, Bears , GT, Lsu , AM

See the pattern. We can't beat Good Teams.

Don't give me the crap about the LSU field goal. There is not a comments section on the scoreboard.

I am as disappointed if not more than most on this board. Fact is we are not good against good teams.

[CadaverDawg]

So your proud of beating USM, La Tech, possibly Kentucky ? This is why we get no respect. Losing to LSU ,AM, probably to Bama and God forbid to the Bears and look back at who we beat. A bunch of chumps.

Yes we were good at the beginning of 2014. Best team in the country!!!!!!

BUT SINCE the last 4 games of last year and the first 6 games of this year we have not played well. This is almost a complete season of playing poor. There is a problem.

Wins: Vandy, USM, AU , Northwest State and Troy.

Loses: Bama, Bears , GT, Lsu , AM

See the pattern. We can't beat Good Teams.

Don't give me the crap about the LSU field goal. There is not a comments section on the scoreboard.

I am as disappointed if not more than most on this board. Fact is we are not good against good teams.

[Quaoarsking]

Well, he sure wasn't right when he declared we wouldn't beat a team with a winning record this year. We've probably already done that twice, and will do it two more times over the next two Saturdays.

That makes 4 (far above his declaration of 0) before we get to Missouri (likely #5) or Alabama/Ole Miss.

We may not get to 7, but his 0 is one of the least likely predictions ever posted on this board.

[CadaverDawg]

Well, he sure wasn't right when he declared we wouldn't beat a team with a winning record this year. We've probably already done that twice, and will do it two more times over the next two Saturdays.

That makes 4 (far above his declaration of 0) before we get to Missouri (likely #5) or Alabama/Ole Miss.

We may not get to 7, but his 0 is one of the least likely predictions ever posted on this board.

Yep. That's why I didn't agree with that one. Ha