Dangerfield
The late great comedian Rodney Dangerfield had the signature line, “I tell ya, I don’t get no respect.” This theme was at the heart of his material and got big laughs everywhere he performed. However, that theme is not a laughing matter to the Dawg-faithful in Starkville. The preseason prognosticators have once again shown no respect for Mississippi State.
In almost every preseason poll, top 25, or player ranking, MSU has been underrated. Three days after head coach Zach Arnett took the Nashville stage, the SEC Media Day poll placed them to finish last in the SEC West. ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), has State ranked number 33. Both, despite the fact that the Bulldogs were ranked number 20 at the end of 2022. They went 9-4, by the way, in a season-ending in trauma with the death of head coach Mike Leach. The FPI report says State’s record this season will be 6-6.
Is it justified, or simply a long line of understating Mississippi State, an understatement that spans more than the last decade?
And the Press Played On
Since 2010, the Dawgs have been predicted to finish last nine times. Out of those nine times, they placed last once. That was in 2020, Leach’s second year of a new offense in a pandemic world.
It does bear mentioning that State had to vacate some wins back in 2018 due to self-reported NCAA violations. Following those vacated wins, the Bulldogs ended up last in the division. Prior to the penalty, they finished 4-4 in the conference or fourth in the SEC West.
By contrast, several teams in the division have performed the same or worse during that time period. Last year, it was Texas A&M, the year before LSU. But other teams have been there legitimately more than that. Auburn was at the bottom twice, Ole Miss three, and Arkansas a whopping five times.
In addition, Ole Miss has won 40 conference games since 2010, and Arkansas has won 35. Mississippi State, on the other hand, won 48 SEC games in the same time period.
Thanks to Jackson’s Clarion-Ledger MSU beat writer Stefan Krajisnik @skrajisnik3 for those statistics.
The Players
The guys in the trenches haven’t escaped the snubs either. The team has several record-breakers who barely made the roster of preseason All-Star selections. Once again, no respect for Mississippi State.
Will Rogers, a fourth-year starting quarterback, broke several SEC records. In 28 games he broke the record for career completions. It took the former record holder, Aaron Murray (Georgia), 52 games. He is on par to break Murray’s passing yards record, only 2,477 yards shy. Last year he was second in the SEC with 3,974 yards, ninth in the nation.
Yet Rogers barely made it to the third team of the preseason All-SEC team.
Jordan Rodgers, former Vandy quarterback, brother of Aaron, and cohost of SEC Nation stated a year ago, “Will Rogers is the most disrespected, underappreciated quarterback in the entire country because he’s one of the best.” Also, ESPN.com called Rogers “the most accomplished passer in the SEC.”
Then there are the two six-year linebackers, Nathaniel Watson and Jett Johnson. Johnson led the SEC in tackles and Watson was number two. Yes, Watson has made everyone’s list, but Johnson is barely mentioned.
Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin is a punt and kickoff return artist for the Bulldogs. He led the nation and thus the SEC in average yards per return last year. He also has two touchdowns to his name. He’s also considered the prime receiver in Mississippi State’s offense for 2023.
However, Griffin was relegated to the third All-SEC team. Kool-Aid McKinstry, returning for Alabama, led the SEC in average punt return yardage, but has returned one kickoff for four yards over two seasons. McKinstry was named to the first team.
So, What’s the Problem?
As usual, most are relying on optics, conventional thinking, or just sticking with the status quo. Given the history, some of the justification might be understood. Here are just a few examples of that thinking that appears to show no respect for Mississippi State.
Head coach Arnett is a first-time head coach at any level, much less a Power 5 school. How could he possibly take over the reins of an SEC program and expect immediate success? Then, there’s the specter of living up to Leach’s legacy.
There’s a new offense and offensive coordinator, Kevin Barbay. Arnett and Barbay are completely changing from Leach’s Air Raid to a more balanced attack. That can’t be done overnight.
The secondary is decimated. How can these unknown defensive backs compete against seasoned elite receivers? Sure, new defensive coordinator Matt Brock has worked with this defense for three years, but with linebackers. How can he know pass defense?
There are many more, but you get the idea.
And in the End
Most coaches will tell you that all the polls and press, especially in preseason, are just noise that needs to be ignored. Alabama’s Nick Saban calls it rat poison. It’s something the players and coaches need to ignore.
For many coaches, the underdog spot is more coveted than the favorite. It gives them the tools to fire up the troops. The feeling is that Arnett prefers it that way. It’s so much more satisfying when you prove the naysayers wrong.
But there is something different about this team. It’s a blend of all the newness combined with the most veteran crew to return to the SEC. Typically, after a nine-win season and 36 lettermen returning there would be more outside optimism. But, there is good reason for at least the fans to feel that way.
Players will typically leave it all on the field for a coach who puts them first. If Arnett is anything, he is a player’s coach. As he said following the win of the Reliaquest Bowl, “Today had nothing to do with me. First and foremost, games are about players. Players win games. Coaches are overrated in this sport.”
And what about all the negative treatment at the hands of the preseason polls? On the SEC Channel’s Marty and McGee, Arnett relied on a phrase he borrowed from Coach Leach, “Block out the noise, run the next play.”
