Historic Game for Mississippi State Saturday
Oct 24, 2013; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) advances the ball during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State Bulldogs win the game against Kentucky Wildcats 28-22. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Maybe it’s just me, but I am really excited for the next game on the Bulldogs’ schedule this Saturday. Normally, a game against Kentucky isn’t one that gets me too pumped up, but this year is an exception. When the Bulldogs take the field on Saturday, they will be doing something they have never done before.
Playing a game as the number 1 ranked team in the country.
2014 has seen the Bulldogs climb to new heights. We shot up the rankings once we gave pollsters just the slightest reason to believe in the Bulldogs with a drubbing of LSU in Death Valley back in September. We then shot into the top three with a curb stomping of Texas A&M the first weekend in October. After that, we were propelled to the number 1 ranking in the country after we dismantled Auburn. We were even able to hold on to the ranking in both polls despite a win by Florida State over a good Notre Dame squad while we sat at home on our bye week. It’s been so much fun to watch the nation come around and warm up to our Bulldogs.
When the cameras start to roll this Saturday, every time you look at the score, don’t feel bad if you start to well up with pride when you see that “1” sitting next to Mississippi State as the broadcast is being aired to the entire nation. It’s OK. This has been a long time coming for Mississippi State, and the Bulldogs and their fans should enjoy every minute of it. I don’t know if or how long it will last. The experts keep telling us that Ole Miss and Alabama have a better chance of winning the SEC West and the national championship than the Bulldogs to simply because we have to come to their place to play them. Maybe these experts are right. But I also recall seeing a bunch of experts pick us to lose against LSU, Texas A&M, and Auburn. Despite having that “1” next to our name, we still don’t seem to get the respect that the traditional powers would get for being ranked number 1.
I have seen some people express concerns that we are going to come out flat and overlook the Wildcats. They are afraid that our first game as the number 1 team in America is going to be our last game ranked numero uno. I guess there is always that possibility, but it’s time we recognize what this team has done and everything it is capable of. Even if they come out flat, Dak Prescott has shown that he will put this team on his back and get them where they need to be. There is no way that our Heisman candidate quarterback is going to sit back and let this team get lackadaisical and lose this game. When you have risen to the heights that Mississippi State has, there isn’t a game you can lose. We aren’t playing for bowl eligibility, bowl positioning, or a chance to have a good year. The Bulldogs want to win it all, and they are in a prime position to do so. The Wildcats are bait for the number 1 team in the country, and it is time we take a bite.
The only thing more exciting than getting ready to see the Bulldogs play their first game as number 1 in the country will be watching them play their second game as number 1 in the country on November 1.