Missouri Gives Mississippi Hope

[webbmaster]

Don't flatter yourself.

[hillhunter]

I think it is entirely possible for either MS team to make it. However, we will never have the recruiting advantages that an Alabama, Florida, Texas AM, LSU, or even MO has. One key here and it is a major key which I think FL may be experiencing right now with the rise of the FL Atlantic, UCF, USF, along with the success of FSU and Miami, our recruiting is diluted. We have how many universities in this state? With a population which is 1/3 of our other closest SEC sister schools. So, not only must we win our own state in recruiting, we must rob some from surrounding areas as well. It looks like Freeze has this figured out from the get go, but Mullen has not done such a good job with, although he has gotten more out of state recruits the last couple of years. MSU or Ole Miss will never have the national name recognition that an Alabama, LSU, or FL will have.... They just won't. But we can do better at it.

To me this is really our only obvious disadvantage, as far as the strength of competitors, everyone can't be at the top. There have been years when the west was down and the east was up. I would say overall that the entire SEC is down this year on average, but together is still the toughest conference to play in this year. The whole west can't be strong every year and neither can the east, FL will figure things out and so will GA, and eventually TN. MS teams will have their years they compete for the west, and SECC, they just don't come as often for us.

However, I have always been of the opinion that neither state nor ole miss is that much different with respect to their sports programs (even though their culture is vastly different, which one you prefer is up to you), they both have the same hurdles to overcome whether it's money, recruiting, fan base, location..... Whatever. But that doesn't mean either one can't pull off a gem of a season every so often.

[billyho]

Well said po monk.... From all angles

[SWAG]

TTT

[Deltamud77]

State or Ole Miss will make a strong run at the SEC west this year. They both have great talent and key positions that is also experienced talent. The only problem for them is that Alabama has more talent than either school at virtually ever position. I think that Bama wins it with State or Ole Miss coming in second.

I think State, Ole Miss and Auburn are going to be in the running for 2nd in the West with LSU and aTm coming in behind them and Arkansas dragging up the rear.