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Look how far we’ve come in a decade of MSU football

By Josh Barnhill

Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Mississippi State Bulldogs pose for a picture with the Belk Bowl trophy after defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Wolfpack 51-28. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Mississippi State Bulldogs pose for a picture with the Belk Bowl trophy after defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Wolfpack 51-28. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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MSU football has done a one-eighty over the last decade, thanks to Dan Mullen.

Do you remember August of 2001? That was 15 years ago – a world prior to 9/11, and on a much lighter note it was when we had many hopes and dreams of success on the gridiron to come.

MSU was just coming off four straight winning seasons under Jackie Sherrill. Included in those were four straight wins over Auburn, three consecutive bowl games, three wins against Alabama and a SEC West championship.

In 1997, Jackie Sherrill used junior college transfers to create one of the best recruiting classes in MSU history. In an effort to capitalize on the moment, he rolled the dice again in 2001 by signing 12 jucos, but this time it didn’t work. In fact, it turned into a complete disaster as players with questionable character and academics came in and tore everything apart.

After being ranked #18 to start the season, and up to #17 after winning the first game vs. Memphis, Mississippi State finished the year 3-8.

Sherrill reversed track in 2002 and went back to high school players, and seemingly recovered as the class was LOADED with talent. But the damage was already done and even half of that class turned into busts. MSU finished 3-9 in ’02, then hit rock bottom with a 2-10 record in Jackie’s final season.

Sylvester Croom was brought in for 2004, and things got worse before they got better. A loss to Division 1-AA (FCS) Maine was the low point – perhaps even lower than the 31-0 Egg Bowl thumping in 2003.

It wasn’t until Croom’s fourth year did the Bulldogs regain their footing once again and win more than three games in a season. They did much better, in fact, winning eight games including the Liberty Bowl. It was quite a relief after the damage of 2001-06:

  • 2001: 3-8
  • 2002: 3-9
  • 2003: 2-10
  • 2004: 3-8
  • 2005: 3-8
  • 2006: 3-9

I was a student for those final five football seasons. I went to every game, and a lot of road games, but not really to watch football because it was so pathetic. State didn’t just lose games, we got annihilated. Coming within four touchdowns of LSU or Auburn was a moral victory. These were rough times.

It was the worst six-year stretch of football since 1964-1969 (despite briefly vaulting to #9 in 1965 after beating, ironically, Florida) which only featured 14 wins. That group had three less wins than 2001-2006, albeit in nine fewer games. By winning percentage, ’01-’06 was .246 and ’64-’69 was .233.

I say all this, drudging up the past, because it’s important to remember where you’ve been so you can appreciate where you are….or vice versa sometimes. Here’s how the last six years have been for Mississippi State:

  • 2010: 9-4
  • 2011: 7-6
  • 2012: 8-5
  • 2013: 7-6
  • 2014: 10-3
  • 2015: 9-4

Can you imagine State only winning three games in 2016? Can you imagine the feeling of going into this fall with the thought, “I just hope we can win more than three!”. If you’re older than 20 than you probably can remember that feeling. It wasn’t that long ago when it was the case for MSU football.

2007-2009 felt great in comparison to 2001-2006. State was 8-5, 4-8 and 5-7 during those transition years. Even though we look back at them as transition years now, would you have ever believed back then, that MSU would be where we are today?

More from Mississippi State Football

Reaching four straight bowl games in 2013 set the school record. Now it’s gone to six in a row. 10 regular season wins? Number one in the nation for five weeks?

State is 50-28 over the last six years. That’s 33 more wins than ’01-’06 with 24 fewer losses. We are winning 64% of the time instead of 24% of the time. What a difference.

MSU never beat LSU, Auburn or Arkansas during the ’01-’06 stretch, but Mullen has beaten those teams a combined eight times in the last six years.

The great news is that the future looks just as bright for Mississippi State. Coach Mullen is still a young coach showing no signs of slowing down. The new era of SEC football has certainly helped MSU, and it’s a welcomed site from those dark days just a decade ago.

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