In regards to the ongoing discussion of the football Gods and 10-2, I think Houston Dale Nutt, Jr. might have given a little foreshadowing. This November will be robust for the state of Mississippi. Comparatively, the Rebels and Bullpups have similar schedules. Each has an early road game against one of the top contenders in the league (Rebs vs. Alabama 9/19 and State vs. Auburn 9/26) followed by a letdown opportunity (Florida, A&M) if either pull off the early season win. State also has an early season matchup with LSU. I didn't overlook it, I just feel as do many that this year could be the Mad Hatter's last in the Rouge. Each of these games fall within the cupcake portion of the schedule. Memphis appears to be the toughest out of the 8 non-conference opponents, and if either team pulls off the early season win above (I refuse to say upset now), they will be coasting to November.
Cue Houston Nutt. Let's start with the Bullpups. Their November consists of a weird Thursday night game in Columbia, MO, against the perrenial SEC East champs. Based on schedules, both could/should enter somewhere around 7-1 or 6-2. I like Missouri at home, against the West, and with the D they run against the pups. State then returns home against Alabama where the few extra days may help the cause, but I don't see it. It only gets worse with a late Fall road trip to Fayetteville the following week, that sets up eerily similar to the Rebels last season. The finale: Eggbowl. My prediction is State loses a heartbreaker at Columbia, gets Alabama'ed, throttled by Arkansas, and effectively demoralized in the Eggbowl due to momentum. 7-5.
The Rebels on the other hand have what I refer to as a smoother November. Truthfully, there are only 3 games in the month as the bye week comes late this year. So I chose to throw in Auburn on October 31, because it might as well be November when the game ends. The schedule goes @Auburn, Arkansas, bye, LSU, @State. If the Rebels can navigate the early season (i.e. find a qb), they could enter this stretch 7-1 as well. At worst, assuming Auburn is the top of the West, 7-2 will be the record to start real November. Arkansas and LSU are both redemption games, and at home. There will be nothing required to get the players up for those, as both last year were terrible. (Yes...Auburn was the real heartbreaker, redemption would be even sweeter, but this is at worst). I also think LSU will be ready for the season to be over by the game, and Arkansas could be reeling from the Alabama/Auburn back to back followed by a UT Martin sleepover. As mentioned above, I think Ole Miss will be favored going into the Eggbowl. 10-2.
Either way, I think both programs will have a solid chance to make noise when the last month of football starts...but if I had to choose a 10-2, I would go with schedule momentum, who I think has the better defense, and the team with the most desire (not player: Dak). For me, that is the Rebels.
Cue Houston Nutt. Let's start with the Bullpups. Their November consists of a weird Thursday night game in Columbia, MO, against the perrenial SEC East champs. Based on schedules, both could/should enter somewhere around 7-1 or 6-2. I like Missouri at home, against the West, and with the D they run against the pups. State then returns home against Alabama where the few extra days may help the cause, but I don't see it. It only gets worse with a late Fall road trip to Fayetteville the following week, that sets up eerily similar to the Rebels last season. The finale: Eggbowl. My prediction is State loses a heartbreaker at Columbia, gets Alabama'ed, throttled by Arkansas, and effectively demoralized in the Eggbowl due to momentum. 7-5.
The Rebels on the other hand have what I refer to as a smoother November. Truthfully, there are only 3 games in the month as the bye week comes late this year. So I chose to throw in Auburn on October 31, because it might as well be November when the game ends. The schedule goes @Auburn, Arkansas, bye, LSU, @State. If the Rebels can navigate the early season (i.e. find a qb), they could enter this stretch 7-1 as well. At worst, assuming Auburn is the top of the West, 7-2 will be the record to start real November. Arkansas and LSU are both redemption games, and at home. There will be nothing required to get the players up for those, as both last year were terrible. (Yes...Auburn was the real heartbreaker, redemption would be even sweeter, but this is at worst). I also think LSU will be ready for the season to be over by the game, and Arkansas could be reeling from the Alabama/Auburn back to back followed by a UT Martin sleepover. As mentioned above, I think Ole Miss will be favored going into the Eggbowl. 10-2.
Either way, I think both programs will have a solid chance to make noise when the last month of football starts...but if I had to choose a 10-2, I would go with schedule momentum, who I think has the better defense, and the team with the most desire (not player: Dak). For me, that is the Rebels.
