It’s Time for Revenge, Auburn
Sep 14, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers fans cheer early in the first half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Bulldogs 24-20. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Ten years ago MSU may have been a punching bag for Auburn year in and year out but the rivalry was a friendly one. Two engineering schools with great Veterinarian programs – a lot alike in many ways. Then came Cam Newton and the rivalry hasn’t been the same. For most Mississippi State fans Auburn is a solid number two behind Ole Miss – and that’s saying a lot as Alabama has always been our number two, and they are probably the most hated program in America.
I don’t hate Auburn like a lot of State fans do – half my family are Auburn graduates so I can let a lot of it slide. But I do want to avenge the heartbreak suffered at the hands of the Tigers over the last few years as bad as anyone.
Cam Newton
It all started almost five years ago when Cam Newton chose Auburn over MSU. We all know the story by now. He was ringing a cowbell at the 2009 Egg Bowl and all set to come to State….but his daddy wanted $180,000. Somehow Auburn put together a story good enough convince enough of the right people that Cecil Newton only wanted that money to go to “lowly MSU”, but not Auburn; despite claims that the $180,000 was a discounted price because the real price was $200,000 for other schools.
I won’t go into it any more than that – you’ve likely made up your own mind about what did or didn’t happen in the Cam Newton saga. The bottom line is, Auburn won a national title in a year where State fans felt they could have won it with Newton on their side.…and that’s what stung the most. And for MSU to be the closest game (17-14 final score) they played the entire regular season, and the way we lost it was just more salt in the wound.
2011
It doesn’t get any worse than 2011 on the Plains. I was there first hand to get the biggest gut punch I’ve ever felt attending a game. MSU was a touchdown favorite over the Tigers but ended up losing by a touchdown, 41-34.
State fell behind 14-0 only to take a 21-14 lead and then lose it again.
- headsets quit working
- the horrible 4th and 1 call
- the confusing pylon call
- Chris Relf stopped inches short
So many things just eat at you in that game. If Relf pitches the ball to Ballard he walks into the endzone. With :10 left and no timeouts why didn’t we throw it on the first play so we’d have at least one more shot?
The eagle flew into the skybox windows before the game and it looked like it would be our day. But Jordan Hare was deafeningly loud, our kickoffs were terrible all day allowing Tre Mason to get near midfield almost every time, and despite a gutsy effort from Chris Relf nothing really worked out that day, and the promising season turned into a mediocre one. This game still hurts.
2012
The Bulldogs did get a measure of revenge in 2012. After a summer focused on beating Auburn they did just that with a 28-10 thumping. But as the season wore on the luster of that win wore off. Auburn was a dumpster fire going 0-8 in the SEC, diminishing the status of that victory in September. It did, however, ease the pain from some recent memories – but those wounds would just open right back up in 2013.
2013
Mississippi State should have beat Auburn last year. The offense failed to capitalize on three turnovers – two of which were at midfield, there was a missed field goal, and Nick Marshall easily marched down the field on the final drive against a prevent defense. The conservative play of the 4th quarter (on both sides of the ball) cost the Dawgs, and Auburn won 24-20.
The final touchdown was caught with :18 to play. Again there was heartbreak on the plains. To make matters worse, Auburn continued on with a season full of fortunate breaks that led them to the SEC Championship and seconds away from a national championship. For a program like MSU, who rarely catches a break, it was tough to watch a team get all the breaks.
2014
Finally, some breaks have gone the Bulldogs way. The schedule has set up beautifully. All the cards have fallen just right to allow State to jump from unranked to #3 in just two games.
Auburn is now more good than lucky. They are #2 and most analysts recognize them as the best team in the country. They are coming to Starkville, along with College Gameday, CBS and the eyes of the nation.
This is the best team Mississippi State has had in at least 15 years, if not 34 years or possibly ever. This is the biggest game MSU has ever played in – based on sheer ranking and recognition nationally. A matchup this big, with the stage set just right, and who is the opponent? Auburn. This isn’t just about winning and being #1 – it’s about revenge.