Mississippi State has Defense?

I was stunned when the final result for the MSU vs. Auburn game was 3-2 in favor of Auburn. Yes, Mississippi State lost, but they held the No. 9 ranked War Eagles to only three points. That in itself is a win for the Bulldogs.

The question now is: Did Auburn shoot themselves in the foot or did the Bulldogs actually play good defense against a team that was expected to walk out with a win before the end of the third?

Auburn didn't play their best game ever, but it is still Auburn. With running backs like Lester and Tate, who led the game with 92 yards, you should have no problem on the ground.

Auburn has weakness at the QB position with Todd, the junior first-year starter. He will grow into the shoes that he must fill, but only with time. Auburn also got 12 penalties for a total of 94 yards and three turnovers.

The cold hard facts will tell the truth. They allowed the Tigers 315 total yards, nothing special, but were able to keep them out of the end-zone regardless. That is the stat that counts! 

I am not saying they were outstanding, but they held Auburn, a huge SEC team and contender for the conference championship almost every year, and kept them out of the end zone.

Mississippi State impressed me today and actually has me looking forward to their game against the team that I pull for, The LSU Fighting Tigers.

I know they lost against Louisiana Tech and only beat Southeastern State University before playing Auburn, but they are looking better each week.

Their biggest problem I see, and it is quite obvious, is the offense. They produced only 116 total yards, which no matter how good your defense is, will not win a game.

Maybe not this year, but next season may be interesting for Croom's Bulldogs and the rest of the SEC. Sadly, he is losing 23 seniors after this season, but has 22 juniors and 18 sophomores returning. Between MSU and that Vanderbilt team that had a great game against South Carolina, the SEC might have two more power teams to add to the line-up.

Just one other reason why college football is the greatest game in the world. Last year and quite possibly this season, many nobodies will make themselves known.