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Ignatius J. Reilly
(66.88.249.114) on 10/17/2003 - 4:16 p.m. says: ( 4 views
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"Hold Everything: Game Preview"
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(EDITED BY AUTHOR: 10/17/2003 - 4:19 p.m.) Apologies in advance for both the tardiness and lack of time devoted to this week's preview. The brevity no doubt will come as a great relief to much of the readership.
OZARK MOUNTAIN MADNESS
The Tigers went to Fayetteville and emerged with one of the more satisfying victories of the Tuberville era, a 10-3 decision over the Razobacks of Arkansas. Finally. The resulting hue and cry of the Pig Nation has been nearly incessant and consistently indignant. Funny, too. Who knew that grabbing a defensive player's jersey or tackling his ankle was considered a blocking violation? What, there is no "necessity" exception to the illegal use of hands rule? Learn something new every day, I tell you. That is why I am in this gig -- for the knowledge. Knowledge is good. It says so right there on the Faber College monument.
OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS
Oo, Jackie Blue
Lives his life from inside of his room
Hides a smile when he's wearin' a frown
Oo, Jackie you're not so down
Yes, the Dean of SEC coaches, Jackie Sherrill, is coming to town with his Maroons. Jackie is the best bovine castrating, helium suspecting, juco recruiting, starched shirt wearing, former used car salesman to ever prowl an SEC sideline. His feud with Tommy Tuberville is well documented. Here's hoping the microphones are on for the post game handshake and/or fistfight. We have been unable to confirm rumors of new fake field goal packages, but we eagerly await this week's fake, fake punt repertoire.
Jackie may not be with us for long. Despite a two game winning streak, the Mississippi State faithful want King Jackie to abdicate his throne. Much viciousness has been emanating from Starkville and from the Bullpup internet message boards. But Jackie is not bothered by these slings and arrows. He's a Bear's Boy.
The kids couldn't hurt Jack
They tried and tried and tried
They dropped things on his back
And lied and lied and lied and lied and lied
But they couldn't stop Jack, or the waters lapping
And they couldn't prevent Jack from feeling happy
GAME TAKE
State's defensive woes have been consistent and profound. The Bullies are particularly susceptible to the pass, which may give them some hope against the run-oriented Tigers. False hope this should be. The Bulldog pass rush has been poor. Given time, Jason Campbell can do damage through the air. Tiger backs have had good success against the MSU front the past two seasons, and there is no reason to think this year will be any different. The Tigers should rack up yardage and points on Saturday.
Still, this game worries me. It is a classic letdown game -- the alleged breather in a run of top ten opponents. We all know Jackie would like nothing better than to put a serious dent in Tuberville's shiny new SEC wagon, even if it will not save his own precarious employment.
The Jackie factor, however, is precisely why I think Auburn will be ready for this game. I don't think Tubs will allow the Tigers to relax when beating Sherrill is on the table. Although Kevin Fant will likely pass effectively against our secondary, Auburn's defense should force State to make the kinds of mistakes that have plagued the Starkvegans all season. In the end, I see it AUBURN 38, Mississippi State 21.
NEXT WEEK: HOT BOUDIN AND COLD COUSCOUS, OR ONE TOKE OVER THE LINE?
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