Gene Chizik disputes idea Mississippi State is trap game for Texas, notes Bulldogs’ year-over-year improvement
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Gene Chizik is strongly in Mississippi State‘s corner as the Bulldogs prepare to face Texas in Week 9. After a 2-10 mark in 2024, Jeff Lebby has his team at 4-3 and two wins from bowl eligibility for the first time since 2022.
On Tuesday’s “SEC Now” on the SEC Network, host Alyssa Lang noted the question “Why is this a trap game for Texas?” appearing on her rundown, a sentiment Chizik strongly disagreed with.
“This is not a trap game,” Chizik said. “Where’d they come up with trap game for this, right? I mean, usually in a trap game, you got one team that’s heads and tails better than the other. I don’t see that. No disrespect to Texas. I’m just saying, by the way they have played, Mississippi State is a real team.”
The former Auburn head coach brought up a couple of close calls Mississippi State has had over the past couple of weeks, specifically against Tennessee and Florida. The Bulldogs took the Volunteers to overtime before eventually losing 41-34. Then, in Week 8, they were neck-and-neck with the Gators but ultimately fell 23-21.
“This is not an accident. This team is good. They’re physical. Lebby’s doing a great job. They’re finally understanding the offense. The defense is light years ahead of where they were last year,” Chizik said.
“This is not a trap game. This is going to be a difficult game for Texas. Mississippi State is real, and they’re going to upset somebody. Give them time. They already did one time with Arizona State (on Sept. 6). So everybody better have their head on a swivel because Mississippi State is legit.”
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
