Published October 15, 2012 - 9:15am
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Mississippi State fans feel shunned by the lack of attention or respect thrown their way for the 6-0 start, 3-0 in conference, and Saturday marked the first time the Bulldogs have beaten the Vols since 1994.
MSU then moved up from #19 to #15 in the AP poll and opened at #12 in the BCS. The undefeated Bulldogs are still ranked behind five one-loss teams in the BCS and seven one-loss teams in the AP Poll. Although voters are starting to take note, there’s still a lack of respect.
The team feels it, too.
“I hope the other media people – I don’t know if y’all said it – but I hope they don’t say we still ain’t played nobody,” said cornerback Johnthan Banks, who had a big fumble recovery in the fourth quarter. “Hopefully we’ll get the respect we deserve. Because our team is for real, too.”
Coming off their 41-31 shootout win Saturday, so many are still questioning whether the Bulldogs can make a legitimate run at a West Division Championship. Besides newcomer Texas A&M, MSU remains the biggest question mark and wildcard team in the West.
We can sum up the lack of respect in two words: weak schedule. The Bulldogs have beaten no ranked opponents and get another unranked, inferior opponent in Middle Tennessee State next Saturday before heading to Tuscaloosa to face #1 Alabama. That’s where Mississippi State will earn everyone’s respect if they can upset the Tide.
MSU’s three SEC wins came against the #11, #12 and #13 ranked defenses in the conference, hardly statement games in and of themselves. Of course, those three wins were against Kentucky, Auburn and Tennessee, and all three programs could be scrambling for another head coach at the end of the season. But there’s something to be said about taking care of business and winning the games you are supposed to. They’ve certainly done that.
However, MSU has key games coming up against three ranked opponents and plenty of time to prove the entire country wrong.
Remaining Schedule
Oct. 20: MTSU
Oct. 27: @ #1 Alabama
Nov. 3: #18 Texas A&M
Nov. 10: @ #6 LSU
Nov. 17: Arkansas
Nov. 24: @ Ole Miss
They have two very winnable games – Arkansas and Ole Miss – left on the schedule, but MSU’s division fate will be decided in the next four weeks.
Still, we cannot discount the terrific start the Bulldogs are off to and what Dan Mullen has put together in Starkville. Tyler Russell and his teammates did gain a little more respect on the national scene with the victory against Tennessee. After all, Russell has thrown 12 touchdowns and one interception through seven weeks. The defense has veterans all over the field, and they aren’t afraid to line up against anyone that remains on the schedule. The Bulldogs are fifth in the total defense in the SEC.
It’s imperative that this team stays focused this week on the task at hand, because MTSU is 4-2, having already defeated Georgia Tech on the road. After Saturday, the brutal five-game stretch will ultimately decide how MSU finishes.
As always Jon, great article. Echos exactly how Mississippi State fans feel right now, were being shunned because we haven’t played anybody spectacular, which is true, but we’re in the SEC and in our eyes anyone without the beautiful SEC logo on their uniform is unspectacular and there are too many non-conference teams ranked higher than us. SEC snobbery, yes were guilty of it, aren’t we all.
My question to you is, when MSU goes into Tinsel Town 7-0 how close do we have to play to gain some respect nationally. A “W” against UAT this year seems improbable, not impossible but, improbably. Im optimistic we can pull the upset, and have been praying as hard as a back-row Baptist sporting a maroon bowtie can, but I just have to ask how much does a close loss affect Mississippi State in the rankings?
I would like to ask just who are the great teams Bama has played??? Ole Miss , Arkansas and Missouri my oh my aren’t they just the top of the heap. Tennessee could beat all three at the same time. Bama is a great team and will most likely win out but they have not beaten any ranked SEC teams either. As far as I’m concerned State don’t have to play Bama close to prove they have come a long way and really I hope people keep doubting State and look over them to the next game. If State has a 3 loss season it’s a whole lot better than a 3 win season.
Miss.State is being fattened up for the Alabama kill. We will do better than Michigan but won’t get the forgetfulness by the media that they and other teams(Stanford,West Virginia) get.