Former Coach

Agree. Our talent level was awful, as bad or worse than with Croom. Looking back the recruiting under Leach and Arnett was not good. I like Lebby, and believe better things are ahead. If we are honest we got Lebby because every name head coach we reached out to said No. Again, we are a good football team trying to learn how to finish. And that includes the coaches.

I don' think Kiffin is going anywhere. They are pretty much a lock for a playoff spot which keeps him at OM into January. Florida and LSU aren't waiting until January to hire a football coach with signing day mid December and the portal opening early January. The only way I see him leaving is if they somehow lose a couple games and miss the playoffs and he thinks he has reached his ceiling at OM.

If you asked any State fan before the first game what our record would be after 8 games, 99% would have said 4-4 at best. It sounds crazy but Miss. State is a good football team that as someone said earlier has to take the next step and figure out how to win. They are 4-5 plays away from being 7-1 and ranked inside the top 10. It's amazing to me the success they are having on the offensive side with possibly the worst offensive line in the SEC. The numbers they put up on the third ranked defense in the nation on Saturday were impressive. And look at the defense and how they have played this year. I don't think there is a State fan anywhere that didn't want Hutzler fired. They played their tails off but in the end it was still a loss. Lebby and staff along with the players have to figure hot how to get over the top. As far as firing Lebby, absolutely not. He has done a remarkable job turning over a roster that was probably worse than Mullen inherited from Croom. I said when he was hired it would be a three-four year process. I don't think he is any danger of losing his job but if it were to happen it would be detrimental to the program. Arky and Mizzu are winnable games. Both will be tough on the road. And who knows the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Pulling for a State win. I think we make keep it close early but TN pulls away with a win and covers. I think OM squeaks by with a late FG

Knew we would get Bama. As I said in op with them playing their rival games AU and TENN the had to get a "easy" game and that just happens to be State. I do like the Vandy pick up. They historically have been at the bottom of the SEC in football. OK for OM was a surprise. I really thought they would get ARK. Interesting thing is that this is for a 4 year cycle.

The schedule drops next Tuesday. Who do you look for State and OM to get as permanent opponents? I look for State to get OM, obviously, Alabama and either Kentucky or S. Carolina. I think we get Bama because they are going to get AU and Tenn, their rival games, so they have to have a very winnable game which is State. I think OM get State, LSU and Arky. They could easily place everyone in four 4 team pods geographically for permanent foes but they won't.

I think the Steen injury will hurt from a depth standpoint. The OL got much better when Reese went to right tackle after the injury.

Also Baldwyn's field may be the best HS natural turf field, in any classification, anywhere. I saw these pics on X. It is cut really low and is like carpet.

Heidelberg is far and away the favorite to win the South and the State Championship. The North favorite is probably Charleston. A team to keep an eye on is Baldwyn. They moved up from 1A where they won it all last year. I wanted to see them after they beat Kossuth last week so I went to the Baldwyn-Booneville game, aka "The Skunk Bowl". Always try to get to that game each year as its a great rivalry game in NE. MS. Going into the game the teams were tied 35-35-3 all time. Baldwyn's line on both sides of the ball is big and physical. #55 couldn't be blocked. They have enough play makers to be dangerous. I would say right now the North is a toss up between Charleston, East Webster, Northside, and Baldwyn.

And that is an easy fix without having to build a school. Some of these other suggestions while looking good on paper would be difficult to do.

I agree that there does need to be some consolidation, but money will be an issue in some cases. Someone earlier suggested that N. and S. Pontotoc merge with Pontotoc City. That would require a new high school for around 1600-1800 students plus athletic facilities and band hall, among other things. You would probably be looking at 30-50 million. Some of the smaller schools wouldn't cost as much like say N. Tippah would be different. Faulkner or Walnut could house the high school wile the other housed the junior high.

Not just 2A. How were rankings compiled?

I believe that for the sake of the heat acclimation rule that the the first two weeks of shorts are M-F. After that 10th day of shorts you are free for full pads. We always had a full gear scrimmage on the Saturday morning following that last day of shorts and shoulder pads

It is considered full gear as the rule says shoulder pads and helmets only. That's why those schools have already been put on probation and others will be as well.

O'Connor, right now, is my top pick. If they have to go the assistant route I think I go after Elander. Don't really want anybody with State ties.

I was talking to someone about ticket prices the other day. Most schools are around $8, with a few at $10. Thirty plus years ago when I began ticket prices were $5, so prices really haven't gone up but 3-5 dollars in 30 plus years, really not that bad.

There's discussions taking place about some kind of changes. Whether it's breaking from the NCAA or the playoff model, or something different I have no clue. I think you treat it like the professional model. Set a salary cap, then require players to sign binding contracts. Freshman recruits sign 3 year contracts with a 4th year option. Transfers sign a 2year contract unless you are a grad transfer. If you decide to "red shirt" (quit on the team) you lose that years pay. Fine schools that contact players from others schools prior to there contracts expiring.

The transfer issue is due to a Justice Department lawsuit ruling that athletes can transfer as many times as they want without sitting out. The NCAA has no control over this now.

With the new collective bargaining maybe colleges will/can use the NFL model of contracts. Every freshman signs a three year contract that allows for a fourth year option. If you choose to red shirt you lose that years pay. If you choose to sit out you don't et paid. If the school red shirts you then you still get paid. Anyone coming in on the transfer portal has to sign a minimum 2 year contract unless you only have one year or eligibility remaining. All sports

Honestly don't see this as a big loss. He's 6'10 and plays at 6'4. I'll take the trade of him for the big from Wichita.

Must find a guy that can dominate on both ends of the floor, another shooter and the fill in the pieces, but I think a dominate big guy is a must. A guy that's gonna be a double double or close guy and defends the rim.

A change definitely has to be made, but where do you go? Corbin, Shoshnagle, MacDonald all turned us down last time that's how we ended up with Lemonis.

Based on season play State has to keep Baylor under 80 to have a chance.

Could it have something to do with the coliseum? Several years back they had to adjust the schedule because it was booked the week they normally held the state tournament.

They are going to promote the DC but for some reason are dragging their feet to do it.