Week 0 & Week 1 Thread

[Dawg83]

Curious to see how these early crowds are for Lebby. I feel like State has frankly done a pretty bad job of promoting things and selling hope to the fanbase. They have let the narrative of “Ole Miss is running circles around us” run wild and not done much to fight it. People want this to be 2009 again but Mullen was marketed a heck of a lot better than Lebby has been.

[maroontide06]

35 minutes ago, Dawg83 said:

Curious to see how these early crowds are for Lebby. I feel like State has frankly done a pretty bad job of promoting things and selling hope to the fanbase. They have let the narrative of “Ole Miss is running circles around us” run wild and not done much to fight it. People want this to be 2009 again but Mullen was marketed a heck of a lot better than Lebby has been.

I don't think I could have said that better myself.  Great post!

[maroontide06]

The only thing I've seen State promote is a new effiminate logo and some cheesy "Showtime at State" tagline.  I want to be excited for the Lebby campaign, but like you said Dawg they've just done a bad job.

[Dawg83]

2 hours ago, maroontide06 said:

The only thing I've seen State promote is a new effiminate logo and some cheesy "Showtime at State" tagline.  I want to be excited for the Lebby campaign, but like you said Dawg they've just done a bad job.

You had the in-house podcast that the athletic department does promoting an interview they did with Chris Lemonis yesterday…. It’s August…. Football kicks off tomorrow….. what exactly are we doing here?

[maroontide06]

15 minutes ago, Dawg83 said:

You had the in-house podcast that the athletic department does promoting an interview they did with Chris Lemonis yesterday…. It’s August…. Football kicks off tomorrow….. what exactly are we doing here?

I don't even listen to those things LOL.  It's a show alright.  Just the one that pertains to #2.  Might as well get the TK & Mike port-o-poop and call it a day.

[hasbeen67]

Unfortunately, the hype, or lack there of, may indicate a realization of what the season will bring. It may take a year or two before Lebby has much to promote. 

[Bulldogs4]

I think fans are enthusiastic about Lebby while realizing that limelight is shining up the road north right now. I am not sure that the AD is doing a bad thing by being a bit more low key in the present moment. Let them have their glory while we quietly build ourselves back up. 
 

I still think a big key is winning next week at ASU. Do that and the team the will be 3-0 going into the Florida game. Then there will be some excitement and the Athletic Department can capitalize on it then. 

[Dawg83]

3 hours ago, Bulldogs4 said:

I think fans are enthusiastic about Lebby while realizing that limelight is shining up the road north right now. I am not sure that the AD is doing a bad thing by being a bit more low key in the present moment. Let them have their glory while we quietly build ourselves back up. 
 

I still think a big key is winning next week at ASU. Do that and the team the will be 3-0 going into the Florida game. Then there will be some excitement and the Athletic Department can capitalize on it then. 

I disagree with this actually. And I’ll reference 2009 again. That offseason if you recall, Ole Miss was projected to be a Top 10 team and I still remember the Sports Illustrated cover with Jevan Snead (RIP). State was not expected to do much. But the whole offseason was State people doing an excellent job of promoting Dan Mullen…. And also Dan taking every shot he could at Ole Miss lol. Point being, State did not take OM’s hype train laying down and did what they could to bring some attention to Starkville. The rollout of Lebby so far has been lesser.

 

State does need to win that ASU game but I’m skeptical on just how much excitement it would bring. ASU is picked last in the Big 12 and the game kicks off at like 9:30 or 10 pm central. I’m not totally sure how many people are even going to watch that game after the beginning of it.

Edited August 31, 2024 by Dawg83

[Bulldogs4]

But this is not 2009 and the dynamics are entirely different. 2009 team had some talent had an excellent recruiting class coming in as Freshmen. Yes, there was excitement with Mullen but even with that, his inexperience cost us two games that year (LSU & HOU). And it took winning the EB to have a 5-7 record. Croom gets impugned a lot but sans a QB, he left a really good roster for CDM. 
 

With NIL & the transfer portal today, it is like comparing apples & oranges. I don’t think Lebby needs to be taking pot shots at Ole Miss. After 2008, Houston Nutt was very disparaging toward State and that invited Mullen’s cocky attitude towards TSUN. I am fine with us focusing on ourselves and leaving the rivalry alone until late November.

I actually get the sense of a quiet but tempered optimism among our fans. Realizing that we are on our fifth coach in seven years. Stability and improvement are paramount and I think most of the fans feel Lebby is the right person for the task. 

[NoWammies]

None of the College GameDay guys including Saban knew Blake Shapen was currently at State when doing their transfer spin the wheel. That’s rough. 

[Bulldogs4]

Again that is okay. If he stays healthy and has a good year, the accolades will come. For now I am fine with us being well below the radar. 

[Dawg83]

Big win for Vandy against VA Tech. Best game of the day so far. Diego Pavia is a very fun QB.

[Dawg83]

Miami putting a hurt on Florida in the Swamp…. Sun Belt Billy’s days in Gainesville feel numbered.

Edited August 31, 2024 by Dawg83

[Bulldogs4]

So far so good for State. Of course it is EKU but State is playing very well. 28-0 in the second quarter. 

[maroontide06]

Kevin Coleman has been impressive so far.

[NoWammies]

Offense on pace for 100, Dart on pace for 800 yards passing/10 TD’s, Harris on pace for 400 yards receiving, Prieskorn and Juice on pace for 150, Pegues with same amount of rushing TD’s as Judkins today(sarcasm), defense dominating. Time to let some other guys play in 2H and avoid injuries. 

[Dawg83]

State game was almost exactly what I kinda figured it would be. I don’t think this is a great roster but I think they’ve got better coaching this year. Going to be occasionally really fun on offense but gotta get better in the running game. Also still think this defense is gonna struggle.

 

Overall didn’t see anything to change my prediction of 5 or 6 wins.

[NoWammies]

Thought we were getting close to seeing an Oregon upset but they’re going to pull it out. 

[TheTruth]

On 8/30/2024 at 8:49 AM, maroontide06 said:

I don't think I could have said that better myself.  Great post!

I love how 1 day after your high school team gets their cheeks clapped… you up in here talking about another coach. 
 

Is that your priority? To demean and demoralize men online that work their butts off.  This is their livelyhood. 

Don't really have an impact on anyone. 
 

I want to encourage you my brother. Please make a POSITIVE impact on someone tomorrow. 

 

[NoWammies]

Let’s keep this thread about college football. If you have beef with the way someone posts then take it to a DM. If those get too personal bring it up with s1nglewing or myself. 

[maroontide06]

5 hours ago, TheTruth said:

I love how 1 day after your high school team gets their cheeks clapped… you up in here talking about another coach. 
 

Is that your priority? To demean and demoralize men online that work their butts off.  This is their livelyhood. 

Don't really have an impact on anyone. 
 

I want to encourage you my brother. Please make a POSITIVE impact on someone tomorrow. 

 

Wow!  Sorry to hurt your feelings.  I don’t want to have any beef with you.  How about this for a positive impact:  Coach Lebby did a great job for his opening game.  We were able to move the ball and score.

[Dawg83]

Arizona State smoked Wyoming last night. I do think Wyoming is maybe not very good this year but ASU definitely looked improved. That game in Tempe next week is far more of a 50/50 game than some State fans want to acknowledge. I would not be shocked if ASU is even a slight favorite by kickoff.

 

Having said that…. While you maybe feel worse about the ASU game, surely gotta feel better about your changes against Florida now.

[NoWammies]

One thing is for sure, it’s going to be hard to choose a Biletnikoff winner this year. WR’s were putting up some video game numbers yesterday. 

[pancho]

no doubt on that.  ole miss will have it easy again next, state has their hands full at AZ State

[Dawg83]

Some more observations on State (just my own takes)

 

Shapen was impressive, and more mobile than I expected. He’s gotta learn to slide more often though. Took too many hits in a blowout yesterday. I also don’t feel very good about State’s backup QB situation, so it’s imperative for Shapen to be healthy.

 

I really like State’s WR room. Coleman looked awesome, Mosely had a big day too, I think Craver has a lot of potential. Need to get Kelly A back healthy and that’s a strong group relative to what State typically has.

 

RB may be a problem this year. Booth and/or Daniels really need to step up. I just don’t think Lee has enough burst to be a go-to guy, and he apparently still hasn’t shaken the fumble bug. State fumbled four times last night and recovered all four of them…. That’s not sustainable. Gotta protect the ball better. Also, really stinks that Seth Davis is out this year, I feel like he’d be the best fit of all the backs for this offense.

 

OL did OK in pass protection, not great in run blocking. I do think this group, more than any others, will improve as the year goes on. 4 transfer starters, I think they just need more time to gel.

 

Defensively…. I think this group plays hard but they just are not very talented, unfortunately. I think they’re gonna get smoked by the better offenses on the schedule. Gotta find a way to create turnovers as the year goes on. And also find a pass rush.