The Weight of Expectations in 2008

The weight of unmet expectations hangs heavy on the shoulders of those who love Mississippi State football; coaches, players, and fans. After years of miserable losing seasons, dating back to 2001, an 8-5 season and Liberty Bowl victory gave the impression that the bitterness of losing seasons was over. With 7 returning starters on offense and 8 on defense, both coaches and players were talking about winning the SEC West.  Fans were predicting more success. 

The bitter taste of lemons came back in the very first game, a first time visit of any SEC program to Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs opened up the offense on their first few possessions and jumped out to a 14-3 lead with less than a minute to go in the first half. The high expectations of coaches, players, and fans looked virtually assured. A short line drive punt and punt return, a quick Louisiana Tech touchdown, the reality set in that it was a real football game. Coach Croom’s instincts were to react with expected ultra-conservatism. He shut down the wide open passing offense which had been so successful and the Bulldogs lost to Louisiana Tech 22-14. In the same game, MSU lost their best linebacker for the season.

 

After a win against overmanned S.E. Louisiana, State hosted #9 Auburn, a team they had narrowly beaten the year before on the Plains. The offense’s shell remained tightly closed and the meager 116 yards total offense betrayed MSU’s tough, hard fighting defensive unit. Despite creating 3 turnovers and handed the offense the ball several times in the fourth quarter, no offense could be generated, not a single offensive point. The 3-2 outcome was an historical first for the SEC. The defense finished the game, but were beaten up and exhausted. They couldn’t reach down and sustain that intense level of effort and gave up 500 total yards at Georgia Tech in a crushing 38-7 loss. The high expectations before the season came crashing down, and even Coach Croom started displaying self doubts, “more than anything else I am evaluating myself….” he said after the embarrassing loss.  It is difficult to maintain a team’s confidence, when the head coach has lost his.

So, where does Mississippi State go from here? The offense has absolutely no confidence at this point. A dramatic change is not likely. Coach Croom has obstinately stuck to the north/south between the tackles running game, against 8 or 9, and sometimes 10 in the box. It appears the opposition “has State’s number.” The offense is one dimensional, the opponents know it, and they focus their defense on stopping the run and dare State to pass. Coach Croom himself must change. He must bring the offense out of it’s shell and find a passing game to go with the run. Croom must open up the offense and turn things around, or be faced with another losing season. No one can anticipate more than 3 more wins this season.