It was if the script had already been written. With fans adorned with maroon and white cowbells-some with multiples in tow-Scott Field returned to the glory days of the late 1990’s. A ranked Southeastern Conference foe was arriving to only tuck its tail and return home in defeat. A sight the Scott Field attendees haven’t witnessed since last seasons victory over Alabama. Oh, it was a welcomed sight. Well, it was Vanderbilt. Yes, that Vanderbilt. The one with the 5-0 record and ranked 13th in all of college football. The same Vanderbilt that hasn’t seen a bowl appearance since Ronald Reagan’s first term in his eight-year run as President. The final verdict was 17-14 in favor of the home standing Bulldogs.
On this overcast Saturday afternoon, MSU returned to its roots. Tough, aggressive defense. Just how aggressive? The Dogs held the ‘Dores to 107-yards of total offense, 45-yards coming on the ground. With the Commodores holding a distinct advantage in the turnover ratio, it was Vanderbilt in the gift giving mood for the first time this season. The ‘Dores committed two, the Bulldogs none. It’s quite interesting how the number of turnovers can equate victory or defeat. In the SEC, nothing could be more evident.
While I’m not of the camp that believed MSU head coach Sylvester Croom was in a “must win” situation, I do believe a win was important for the fifth-year head coach to see another season from the sidelines, as he ceased the naysayers for the time being. MSU, fresh off a moral victory two weeks ago in Baton Rouge in a 34-24 loss to LSU, needed a win. While the game was equivalent to giving a thirsty man in the desert a lukewarm glass of water, the Bulldogs now can possibly salvage what looked like a season headed south.
Tennessee is next. While Vandy is not your usual Vandy, neither is Tennessee. The Vols are reeling and fresh off another loss, this one to Georgia. UT is 2-4 and winless in the SEC. Remember the naysayers? Phillip Fulmer, head coach at Tennessee, is under tremendous scrutiny. He has managed to escape any form of dismissal over the past few seasons with late season heroics. It will take a magic act to circle the wagons in Knoxville.
There is hope in Starkville. MSU will host Middle Tennessee State in two weeks. While the Blue Raiders sit at 2-4, they do have a victory over Maryland earlier this season. Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas and Ole Miss round out the remainder of the season. If MSU can improve with Tyson Lee at quarterback and continue to cure it’s offensive woes, future success should follow.
The question is, will it happen on Saturday? With UT winning the last seven meetings between the two, history is not on the Bulldogs side. History wasn’t on it’s side last Saturday either.
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