Dawghouse: A Mississippi State Podcast

Mississippi State tries to recover from a beating by LSU with a first road trip of the season. The Bulldogs (2-1, 0-1 SEC) are at South Carolina (1-2, 0-1) with a 7:30 ET kickoff in Columbia. Coordinators Kevin Barbay and Matt Brock met with media after installation day practice. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The SEC Network's Game Day crew is on the Mississippi State campus for the opening league weekend. Roman Harper and Tim Tebow talk about the matchup with LSU, the Bulldog program, and Coach Zach Arnett. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Zach Arnett faces his first SEC challenge as Mississippi State head coach. The 2-0 Bulldogs open conference play hosting LSU (1-1) on Scott Field. The 11:00am central kickoff is not the fan-friendliest SEC scheduling but should impact the late-rising Tigers more, maybe? State should have won last year's match in Baton Rouge and can even the score Saturday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State goes from beating a FCS visitor last week to hosting Power 5 Arizona this Saturday. The Bulldogs were efficient in all areas beating Southeastern Louisiana. The Pac 12 Wildcats are a major step-up in competition. And offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay talks about the opening win and how his unit will attack this week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The eight-month wait for Bulldog football is done. Mississippi State takes to Scott Field against Southeastern Louisiana. This is a veteran roster with an enthusiastic young head coach and aggressive coordinators both sides of the ball. Season ticket sales have set advance records and a lively crowd is expected on campus. The depth chart is headlined by familiar names but the backups include intriguing younger talents with several true freshmen. Team health seems good for opening day after a grueling training camp season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After their second and final scrimmage of preseason Mississippi State coordinators Matt Brock and Kevin Barbay spoke about their squads' standing as the Bulldogs move into more mock game week routine. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The training camp portion of preseason is done. Mississippi State will scrimmage for a second and final time Saturday. Then comes an early start on game week as Coach Zach Arnett and staff shift the Bulldogs into a season-like routine. Some defensive position battles remain to be settled while the offense is taking shape about as expected. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With a couple of days to review results Coach Zach Arnett talked about Mississippi State's first scrimmage of preseason Monday. He also offered an overview where the Bulldogs stand as the fall semester is about to begin and training camp transition to the next stages. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State moves into the next preseason practice phase after the first scrimmage session. Quarterback Will Rogers has some thoughts on the intrasquad action and where the Bulldogs are after a week-plus of work. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Coach Zach Arnett held his first preseason scrimmage Saturday with a closed session on the practice fields. The first-year head coach is using this intrasquad to judge progress in installation of schemes, as well as player position progress. But the real measure is how offense and defense both call plays, pick the players, and execute against each other. New coordinator Kevin Barbay also shares his ideas on offense. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State has put in four practice days of preseason, the last two in pads. Full contact begins now as Coach Zach Arnett ramps up the intensity, and moves the Bulldogs to work on the South Farm field. Media has limited observation time but at the end of practices so there is more worth reporting now than previous camps. After opinions by the Dawghouse, Monday's interview with Arnett follows. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State starts practicing for the 2023 season Friday morning. First-fall camp Coach Zach Arnett and coordinators will plug some summer pieces into their spring camp lineups. On offense the only serious questions come at the new tight end position. There are more and larger questions for a defense that brings back the core interior line and linebackers but must re-fill edge and outside spots with play makers. All three safety spots are, probably, up for August grabs. And Mississippi State will again rely on a transfer placekicker coming from the portal. Meanwhile Bulldog basketball rolled in the three games of their Portugal tour with a fine balance of offense and defense that bodes well for winter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We wondered how low SEC media voting could go as far as Mississippi State's preseason predictions, and now we know. As low as it gets, with the Bulldogs forecast to finish seventh and last in the Western Division. Ignorance is no excuse for missing the mark in this year's balloting as the 2023 Bulldogs have enough strong points, and only a handful of weaknesses, to more than beat this year's press corps guesswork. Individual Dogs were also badly under represented and underrated on preseason all-conference teams, which again is nothing new but this year especially frustrating. At least real practicing for a real season is less than two weeks away for Zach Arnett's first Bulldog team. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Running backs are a rarity at this year's SEC Media Days but Mississippi State is sending one. Jo'quavious Marks will speak for Bulldog football, the first running back State has sent since 2011 and further proof that the 2023 offense is serious about the ground game. Quarterback Will Rogers and defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy join Marks and Coach Zach Arnett in Nashville next Tuesday. The Major League Baseball draft has cut into the Diamond Dog recruiting class just as expected, and taken two active players so far as well. Still Chris Lemonis' class has taken no surprise hits and even added another player to the 2024 roster this week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After climbing into the top-twenty football recruiting rankings last week Mississippi State improved its place a couple of notches with more commitments. Coach Zach Arnett's so-far class has quantity with 15 commits but also has the quality with a dozen prospects ranked among the nation's top 900 players overall. Bulldog baseball got good news again from Dakota Jordan with his renewed declaration to return for the 2024 season. The outfielder is part of Team USA trials this week. The renovated Humphrey Coliseum will add a section of sideline student seating to bring more energy for Chris Jans' program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rising sophomore outfielder Dakota Jordan went in the NCAA transfer portal and quickly came back out, sticking with Mississippi State. This going-and-coming will be an ever-larger feature in off-seasons for college baseball, with coaches who survive the portal period immediately confronted by the Major League Draft in July. Chris Lemonis' hire of South Carolina pitching coach Justin Parker should stabilize the Diamond Dog mound crew for 2024. Meanwhile Coach Zach Arnett and football staff raked in some blue chips this month including three Tuesday alone. The so-far class of 13 commitments is spread around the roster and has enough ratings power that for the first day of summer at least Mississippi State is ranked #20 in the nation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's been a full month since the Diamond Dog season ended and Chris Lemonis' search for a 2024 pitching coach continues. A number of reported or at least reputed candidates have emerged and a top target has just visited campus. With the NCAA baseball transfer season going there's urgency to sealing a deal for Mississippi State. Meanwhile Coach Zach Arnett is scoring commitments with summer camps for his first full recruiting class. Arnett will be at SEC Media Days on July 18 and three un-named Dogs will go with him. The SEC grabbed 2023 headlines by announcing a 2024 one-time football schedule, how did Mississippi State come out? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With last week's delay in implementing a schedule system for at least another year, Mississippi State and SEC cousins will play a one-time slate in 2024. The eight league opponents will be revealed on June 14. Coach Zach Arnett is using summer camps to commit prospects for this year's recruiting class and offense is leading the list so far. Meanwhile a pitching coach hire is still pending as Chris Lemonis makes his best pick for Diamond Dog moundsmen. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Word from the SEC's spring meetings in Destin haven't cleared up the league's pending plans for future football scheduling. Not so far, that is. Mississippi State favors staying with eight SEC games in a new 1/7 rotation but a 3/6 system has gotten almost all the attention. But could the league throw everyone a real curve and delay deciding on a full system while playing a one-off sort of slate in 2024? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For a second season Bulldog baseball ends too soon. The SEC Tournament is again without the program which did more than any to make it an event years ago. Chris Lemonis will apparently be retained after two losing campaigns and says he has a young core to build around. But he has to bring in a load of immediate transfer talent if 2024 is to be a turnaround, most of all in the pitching staff where Lemonis is also seeking a coach. The transfer portal opens next Monday, a week after Lemonis has meetings with all current Bulldogs. Recruiting is good but in a transfer and NIL era nothing is certain about a roster any more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Zach Arnett has spent much of May getting out and talking with Mississippi State football fans who are invested in this program. Arnett liked the consistent work ethic shown in his first spring camp but his 2023 team is far from a final product. So is the roster as Arnett and staff are still looking for a couple more summer signees in the transfer portal, while also keeping busy recruiting high schools and junior colleges. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State was swept for another SEC series and has lost eight of the last nine league games. The remaining schedule will make it difficult at best for the Bulldogs to reach the SEC Tournament or even finish over break-even. Not only are the Bulldogs losing but looking bad doing so with fundamental mistakes and team tensions rising. New athletic director Zac Selmon finds himself facing an end of season decision to stay the current coaching course or make a change even as the NCAA transfer portal opens and the Major League draft looms. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A sweeping at Tennessee and some of the worst types of pitching records by a Mississippi State program forced Coach Chris Lemonis to let pitching coach Scott Foxhall go. The Bulldogs cling to 12th place SEC, the last spot which would make the league tournament. But Mississippi State's remaining three opponents have a far better SEC record than those of Missouri and Ole Miss which the Dogs barely lead today. Making an in-season move should allow Lemonis to name the next pitching coach before summer, and more to point before current Dogs and signees decide their own futures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A pair of won weekends had Mississippi State back on SEC track. A series lost at Auburn sends the Diamond Dogs right back into a hole. State is 12th in the league standings, which is the last SEC Tournament slot. Holding just that will be difficult against a murderer's row schedule the next three weekends. Bulldog pitching was already struggling and injuries have made things worse for both the rotation and bullpen. The offense scored enough runs to win twice after being held to a single score on Friday, a reminder of club inconsistency. Tuesday's Governor's Cup game with Ole Miss won't count in the SEC standings but does matter for teams that just need wins right now. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State's string of regular-season series wins over rival Ole Miss now stands at seven. The Diamond Dogs bounced back from a Friday loss to beat the Rebels twice to take the SEC series. State is now tied for 9th overall in the league standings. The Bulldogs did not hit well but got enough big blows at the big times, while pitching kept the Ole Miss offense just in check. Freshman Dakota Jordan is the weekend hero with his walk-off hit in Saturday's win and a three-run homer to set Sunday's tone. With the pitching staff getting healthy and State settling on an offensive-minded lineup, the second half of SEC season offers opportunity again. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Zach Arnett limited his second spring scrimmage for wet weather, but the forecast for this Saturday's Maroon-White game is for clear conditions and full contact. The ground game got the emphasis in scrimmage #2. Defense generally dominated the full-team action despite missing some front-line personnel. Coordinator Kevin Barbay's offense did flash the pass game but focused on running the ball on a wet field. Meanwhile taking two at Tuscaloosa may have salvaged Mississippi State's season if the Bulldogs can build on a first series win by taking care of Ole Miss in this weekend's hyper-intense rematch of rivals who own the last two NCAA Championships. SEC statistically, the matchup is just too close to call today, as is the shaky weather forecast for Super Weekend on the MSU campus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The losing streak is over as the Diamond Dogs won a game from South Carolina. But the lost series streak continues as Mississippi State remains tied for last in the SEC and Western Division. Coach Chris Lemonis continues shuffling the weekend rotation as well as the defensive lineup, and now the batting order as well. Individual talent is not the problem, getting all the talent playing the same game is. Spring football is half-finished for Coach Zach Arnett, and in hoops All-SEC big man Tolu Smith has declared for the NBA Draft but left his college option open for one more season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State's 0-6 SEC start already has the team far behind the post-season eligibility curve. After consecutive sweepings by SEC East teams, here comes Division leader South Carolina for the next series. Bulldog offense remains competitive most games but pitching, both starting and rotation, continues to struggle as does the defense not backing them up. Coach Chris Lemonis and staff haven't hesitated to make moves in the order, the lineup, the rotation and relief staff in search of the best combinations. At some point the Bulldogs just have to play basic baseball basically and figure out how to win a SEC game. Spring football continues with full-contact work in effect and Coach Zach Arnett's competitive theme is win the day, which harks back five decades to another Mississippi State coach's mantra. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With basketball, men and women, done and turned to recruiting, all attention returns to a Diamond Dog team already in deep SEC trouble. A sweeping at Kentucky means Mississippi State must begin digging out on the home field against visiting Vanderbilt. The weekend rotation is changing for a fourth time as reliever Nate Dohm could come out of the pen again or grab a starting job as this series plays out. Bulldog pitching is struggling already and not helped by the league's lowest-rated defense. Coach Chris Lemonis has potent offensive pieces but changes to the lineup complicate an order. Spring football resumed on Tuesday and has three practices this week, with shortened media access. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SEC baseball season is here and Mississippi State opens with a first true road games of the schedule at Kentucky. The Bulldogs are hot with a seven-win streak but the Wildcats may be even hotter. Bulldog offense has been the strong point with consistent power, though strikeouts are up of late and walks are down. State's rotation will remain the same another weekend and try to give good innings before handing the ball to a bullpen that has been erratic all season and needs more reliable defensive support against SEC swingers. A turnaround season for Bulldog basketball ended on a missed tip attempt in the first NCAA Tournament round. But the first year for Coach Chris Jans is a success by any measure. This may be even more so for Coach Sam Purcell's Lady Bulldogs as they whipped Illinois in the NCAA play-in round and advance to the full field of 64 Friday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chris Jans' Bulldogs received the NCAA Tournament berth they deserved and face Pitt in Tuesday's play-in game of #11 seeds in Dayton. An overtime win over Florida in the SEC Tournament was enough for a return to the big dance for the first time since 2019. It looks like a winnable matchup for Mississippi State in Dayton, too. Maybe an even greater feat was scored by Sam Purcell's Lady Bulldogs by also earning a play-in round berth. A program that has been in flux and often chaos for three years came together for a well-won NCAA bid. Meanwhile Bulldog baseball battered Lipscomb with power and average, and got good enough starting pitching to score a much-needed sweep. But two games in Biloxi and a weekend trip to chilly Kentucky will be the real measure of how Chris Lemonis' club is gelling, and more to point pitching. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State heads home from the SEC Tournament having done the necessary business of a 21st win to solidify NCAA Tournament selection. Center Tolu Smith is both All-SEC and the Mississippi collegiate Player of the Year. The Bulldogs will find out Sunday if they play the Tuesday pre-tourney round of 68, or advance directly to the field of 64. Spring football began for first-year Coach Zach Arnett and staff and while a new coaching regime always has a team working harder this Bulldog spring roster has some extra pep in their steps. Arnett and offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay have scripted a daily regimen that keeps everyone working and getting some sort of rep all the working day and without wasting time. It was just a two-day opening week and the Bulldogs won't practice again until March 21 after the spring break interruption. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After changing the starting rotation last weekend, Mississippi State is doing it again for the Frisco, Texas, showcase series, and for the Friday night lead Dog role no less. Pitching has thrown plenty of strikeouts but not enough total strikes on the early season. When they do, defensive lapses make it moot. But a new rotation should keep more batters off bases, and struggling Dog defenders are carrying more than their weight at the plate. The order is led by three first-year State players in average, power, and RBI. Meanwhile the 20-win basketball Bulldogs need to beat Vanderbilt to finish .500 SEC, which may be enough for a NCAA Tournament bid. But a loss Saturday evening would mean State goes back to Nashville next week needing some SEC Tournament wins, and from a low seeding position at that. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sam Purcell is the first Lady Bulldog coach to score 20 wins in his debut season, and now the NCAA Tournament is in reach for his team as the regular schedule ends Sunday. Meanwhile Mississippi State has a quad one win opportunity with Texas A&M coming to Humphrey Coliseum. The 10th-place Bulldogs need at least two more SEC wins down the stretch to avoid a first-day game at the league tournament. Tolu Smith is carrying the club in the paint, now if Shakeel Moore and others put in some outside scoring State can get on the right side of that NCAA bubble. Smith is a finalist for and should come away with the Bailey Howell Trophy for best player in Mississippi this winter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The bats were out in force for Mississippi State's opening weekend and portal players led the way with consistency, power, and even aggression on the basepaths. But free bases from pitching and defensive breakdowns kept the Diamond Dogs from sweeping the series, and raise questions for the lineup and rotation. Meanwhile an overtime win give Bulldog basketball a season sweep of Ole Miss and more to point keeps their path to the post-season open. But State needs to climb in the league standings in these final two weeks of the regular schedule for NCAA Tourney status and SEC seedings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2023 Diamond Dog season is finally begun and opening weekend opened well with a win over VMI. Besides a few defensive lapses, Mississippi State was efficient at the plate and on the mound. Chris Lemonis put two of his transfers at the top of the order and both delivered, as did another in a relief pitching role to get the win. It's a transitional season as Lemonis and staff mix veterans, transfers, new faces and a talented redshirt or two. The basketball Bulldogs can't let a midweek home loss linger as they go to rival Ole Miss playing to sweep the season series and keep their NCAA Tournament hopes trending in the right direction. And, a spring football schedule is ready and waiting for Zach Arnett's first full season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A four-win streak has Bulldog basketball moving closer to that NCAA Tournament bubble ahead of a trip to Arkansas and with Kentucky coming to campus Wednesday. Defense is Mississippi State's calling card but the offense has picked up its pace of late. First pitch for the Diamond Dogs is a week away as Chris Lemonis' fifth club plans a complete rebound from 2022 frustrations with a still-potent offense combining with a potential-loaded pitching staff. The football news is all about the future as Texas and Oklahoma come aboard in July 2024. The SEC meets in March with a new scheduling model and rotations to settle for a 16-team league. More SEC games means asking for more ESPN money now, while the Power 5 mandate game is up for re-discussion. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A working weekend Dawghouse focuses on the final support staff hires for Zach Arnett and how these latest additions reinforce a coaching team that will be aggressive in recruiting players for new coordinators to develop. Mississippi State's transfer portal recruiting has brought in seven new Bulldogs formerly from Power 5 programs, or nine if we include two MSU re-recruits. Bulldog basketball is already in must-win time as a #49 NET ranking keeps State in sniffing distance of the NCAA Tournament. And in two weeks the Diamond Dogs are hosting their opening 2023 series with so many unknowns at the plate and on the mound. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State's Zach Arnett took time Monday for an interview in his new office, to talk about the still-in-progress transition from coordinator to head coach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Frustrations for Bulldog basketball continue with another hard-played loss, this time at #2 Alabama. They host TCU this Saturday for the SEC-BigXII clash. Coach Zach Arnett has added impressive portal players to his quarterback and receiver rooms, and continues a Mississippi State trend of bringing in FBS and SEC transfers for 2023. The finalized football field and support staff is full-speed recruiting for 2024 as well. With prices for 2023 season tickets announced this week, thoughts turn to when will the SEC announce both the 2024 schedule as well as new rotations in a non-division format to fit in Texas and Oklahoma? And Bulldog baseball hosts media tomorrow to talk the upcoming season with first pitch now three weeks away. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State has yet to announce all official hires, but head coach Zach Arnett has a full staff recruiting full-speed both during the just closed NCAA winter portal window and ahead of the May 1-15 period. Five transfers are part of the 15 new spring enrollees, all defensive backs or specialists. More offensive personnel can be sought for the May window. The revised staff is headlined by offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay who will adjust the system for a veteran lineup. A real emphasis on recruiting the state of Mississippi is obvious in both the on- and off-field staff. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Any notions news would slow down in Bulldog Country after the bowl victory last week is ended. Zach Arnett still has an assistant staff to complete with hires made, more to come, and even some rejections already. The additions of three Mississippi high school legends to the coaching and support staff will boost in-state recruiting. The '22 team ends its season ranked top-twenty in both polls as momentum for 2023 spring work. The NCAA's winter portal closes on January 18 with late-period moves to follow. Mississippi State has interviewed a final list of athletic director candidates and should name the new AD next week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State wraps up the 2022 season next Monday, but the Reliaquest Bowl is also the start of a new Bulldog football era as Zach Arnett makes his head coaching debut. The response from players interviewed in Tampa confirms, the promotion of defensive coordinator Arnett to head coach has re-energized the entire program. Meanwhile a new athletic director will be chosen in early January. And, on this New Year's Eve eve, our thanks for your participation in the Dawghouse Podcasts and best Bulldog wishes for the 2023 ahead. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State said thank you and farewell to Mike Leach this week, while new head coach Zach Arnett completed an early recruiting class. It is a good class for any signing season but especially remarkable for this December's circumstances. Arnett's first press conference was to discuss signing day as well as his own promotion to head coach. Arnett will continue evaluating prospects for further signings to his first Bulldog roster. Reliaquest Bowl campus practices end Friday and resume in Tampa on Tuesday. After their first loss of the season Bulldog basketball is off until hosting Alabama next week to open SEC play. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The tragic and shocking passing of Mike Leach reverberates around Bulldog Country and all college football. His impact on the sport and college sports generally makes him a Hall of Famer by any measures. Now Mississippi State resumes Reliaquest Bowl practices with defensive coordinator Zach Arnett's promotion to head coach. This was no hasty act, State regarded Arnett highly enough to give an unprecedented contract last summer. He takes over a SEC program and days ahead of December 21 signings for a class critical to Mississippi State future. The athletic director search has been delayed into January with finalists interviews rescheduled. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Transfer madness hit Mississippi State as the NCAA's winter portal period began. So far just three Bulldog starters have announced they intend to transfer and eight total players, which is well-down the SEC list today. Bulldog bowl camp opens Saturday while Mike Leach and staff are also heading towards the December 21 signing date for high school, junior college, and FBS transfer players. Athletic director candidates will be trimmed to a trio for interviews in coming days as the search stays on schedule. Unbeaten Bulldog basketball is at Minnesota tomorrow for the toughest pre-SEC test, and a Wednesday evening trip to Jackson merits a big turnout of fans for Chris Jans' first-year program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Victory in the Battle for the Golden Egg has pushed Mississippi State into the College Football Playoff rankings at #24. The Bulldogs played an imperfect game but still beat arch-rival Ole Miss on the Rebels' home field and at their own running game too. The Dog defense was excellent all evening with clutch plays including the knocked down two-point pass to preserve the 24-22 final margin. Will Rogers struggled in stretches but made three key drives for touchdowns and checked the air raid offense into the ground game in the decisive period. State will be bowling in Florida this year but where? If conference title games go as expected the Bulldogs are battling South Carolina for either the Tampa or Jacksonville bowls, and a chance to probably play biggest name of all Notre Dame for the first time ever. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's the week football fans in Mississippi most love and hate as Mississippi State takes on Ole Miss. Both teams are bowl-bound, this game will determine which has the better post-season opportunity. Has familiarity among players as well as short-term transfers taken some of the rivalry edge from players? Wet weather is expected in Oxford right around 6:00 kickoff time. How will field conditions affect the completely differing offenses? Mike Leach's air raid isn't supposed to be weather-sensitive, while the Rebel ground game is good on any surface. Some star underclassmen will play their final regular season college game Thursday including State record-setting cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State hosts East Tennessee State for 2022 Senior Day. The bowl-eligible Bulldogs should add a seventh win to raise post-season status. This game's goals are tune up what State is doing well in the late season while fixing some issues with the offense in general ahead of the Egg Bowl. This sets up as opportunity to work on the stalled run game, then start mixing in backups and reserves for some November snaps in case of bowl season need. State welcomes the 11:00am kickoff slot as it allows the Bulldogs to get in from the expected cold conditions early and start the short practice week ahead of Thanksgiving Night's game in Oxford. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State won bowl eligibility last week by surviving an overtime scare from Auburn. The Bulldogs blew an intermission lead with a soft second half on both sides of the ball. They got it together to force overtime and survive but came away with renewed questions about team maturity and mindset. State now hosts a top-ranked Georgia team headed back to the College Football Playoff. The athletic director search will move into a fresh phase next week as candidates are finalized and distance interviews done before finalists are chosen. Bulldog soccer is hosting NCAA Tournament play for the first time Friday, and both basketball teams opened up in a Humphrey Coliseum under renovation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.