The Mississippi State football program needs a new direction. MSU is on the verge of yet another losing season. Barring a massive upset in Tuscaloosa over current No. 1 Alabama, ending a nine game losing streak against Arkansas, and retaining the Egg Bowl for the first time since 1999, State will miss the postseason for the seventh time since 2001.
Five years ago, head coach Sylvester Croom inherited one of the most difficult coaching jobs in the nation. The program was on NCAA probation. Fan interest in the program was at an all-time low. MSU lacked SEC caliber talent at many starting positions. MSU surrendered 42 points per SEC game in Jackie Sherrill’s last year. In Croom’s first year, State improved to only giving up 25 points per game, and they have improved each year. The offensive production is obviously the problem.
The play calling has been questionable. MSU’s first touchdown against Kentucky was from a 29-yard pass. The Bulldogs did not test the Wildcat’s deep pass defense again.
Cries in the student section have grown louder in recent weeks to move the program in a different direction. The offense ranks 115th in scoring. The defense has not saved the team as it did last season. Coach Croom has often said in his press conferences that the team is just not executing or that the Bulldogs win if MSU had made a single one of 10 or 15 plays. Croom is right.
The Reflector
11/7/08
