Three Most Worrisome Games on the 2015 Football Schedule
Sep 20, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Benardrick McKinney (50) tackles LSU Tigers running back Terrence Magee (18) during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mississippi State defeated LSU 34-29. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The preseason prognosticators, as a group, don’t think too highly of the 2015 Bulldogs. Most have MSU pegged for fifth to seventh place finish in the SEC West, with seventh probably being the most common pick.
As a fan, I normally shrug off those kinds of predictions, particularly when my gut tells me otherwise. I simply do not see this team finishing seventh in the West. Still, I can’t help but wonder if the pundits know something that I don’t. So while pondering whether or not they are on to something, I came up with a list of three games that I consider to be absolutely crucial for the Bulldogs to have a season that will stump the pundits.
Here they are – the three games on the 2015 schedule that worry me the most.
September 12 – LSU
This game will set the tone for the 2015 season. Not only is it the first home game and SEC opener, it is against a team picked higher than us that we have struggled with over the years. True, the Bulldogs made a huge statement last year by whipping the Tigers in Baton Rouge. But that was last year.
LSU will come into Davis Wade Stadium looking for revenge. The Tigers were embarrassed at home in 2014, and in spite of a late comeback that made the final score much closer than the game actually was, the Bulldogs put a big time beat down on the purple and gold. It’s rare for LSU to get whipped on the line of scrimmage they way they were last year and they’ll be out to prove it was a fluke.
A loss in this game makes the Bulldogs’ quest for a sixth straight bowl appearance much more challenging. We absolutely need to win this game and it is number one on my worry list.
October 24 – Kentucky
Wait, you’re probably saying, doesn’t Auburn worry you? Why would you skip that game and talk about a home game against Kentucky? Well, it’s simple. Auburn is going to be very good this year and difficult to beat anywhere, particularly at home. I’m not saying we can’t or won’t win that game, but honestly I consider it a “gravy” game. If we win it, it’s gravy. If we lose it, oh well we weren’t supposed to win that one to begin with.
Kentucky is a completely different animal. It’s an absolute must-win home game if the Bulldogs want to go bowling. The good news is that under Dan Mullen, Mississippi State has owned Kentucky, winning all six previous matchups. But remember 2013? The Bulldogs were expected to romp at home, but the Wildcats ended up being a play or two away from springing a huge upset.
Mark Stoops has elevated Kentucky’s recruiting and this game will be no cakewalk. A loss here would be a disaster and because I’m a long time State fan, it worries me.
November 28 – Ole Miss
I like the fact that this year’s Egg Bowl is at home. Since 1991 when the schools resumed playing this game on campus sites, the home team has won 19 of 24 times. That would seem to give the Bulldogs a big edge, much like the edge the Rebels had last year.
But there’s also pressure. Given how this series has been dominated by the home team, a victory by the road team is a tremendous boost that gives it the chance to boast three straight wins in the series by winning at home the following year. MSU was the last to accomplish that, winning in 2009-11.
Just as last year, the stakes will be high. And the Rebels are good, which adds up to one huge worry for me. But should the Bulldogs manage to win all three of these, it’s a good bet they finish a lot closer to first place than seventh.