It seems like every year, regardless of how the previous season ended, Mississippi State football fans are optimistic at the possibilities of what may come. Since the hiring of coach Sylvester Croom three years ago, every Bulldog football season has a sense of hope that others in the past didn’t usually bring.
Perhaps it’s the new West Coast style of play Croom brings to the table or the experience in the National Football League.
Perhaps it’s the constant lingering thoughts of “this could be the year,” or even “we can’t go anywhere but up.”
Perhaps it’s just believing the simple fact that we may actually have a good team this year, or perhaps it’s just wanting that one special upset in Starkville for the year that our Bulldogs are notorious for. Maybe it’s just wanting to beat Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl.
No matter what the reason is, Bulldog fans are always hopeful.
But in two years of being at the helm, coach Croom hasn’t been able to bring a winning record to the Bulldog franchise yet.
The SEC West title hasn’t been won by MSU since 1998, and the Dawgs haven’t been on the upside of .500 since 2000, which is also the year they went Snow Bowling all over Texas A&M.
Despite recent lack of success, students and fans of MSU football are resilient.
“The season is a big question mark,” said Owen Weddle, a senior psychology and computer science major. “The defense will be better than last year, but the offense is the issue. Last year, we had a young line, the wide receiving core had struggles, and we had to switch quarterbacks.
“This year, the line is strengthened by JUCO transfer J.D. Hamilton. The wide receiving core looks to be progressing, especially with the transfers we signed. Norwood has gone, but Thornton had flashes last year and freshmen Dixon and Stallworth have made good impressions. They, with a hopefully improved line, should be able to replace some of Norwood’s production. Looking at the possible improvements on offense, the team looks to be very capable of winning between 5-7 games,” Weddle said.
Other students are no quite as optimistic.
“Well, from what I’ve read and heard from interviews with Coach Croom,” sophomore graphic design major Alan Sweet said, “I think that it’ll be a season much like the last two. The team is young and still learning, so the inexperience will work against us. But, at the same time, I think these young players have talent and may end up surprising everyone. I’m thinking we’ll win about four games.”
There are positives to be found in the Bulldogs’ present situation, though.
“I think our defense is going to be solid,” said Stephen Sims, a junior mechanical engineering major.
“The front seven has good depth, and the defensive backs are talented. On offense, if we can get some continuity from the offensive line, we have some guys in the field positions that can make plays. We have a bright future to look forward to. Coach Croom has shown pretty steady improvement, so he’s still got our faith. We’ve got some more patience with him. It’s not running out.”