Dawghouse: A Mississippi State Podcast

Behind the scenes Mississippi State looks for the next athletic director. On Scott Field the Bulldogs are hosting Auburn this Saturday evening. The visiting Tigers suddenly have a mystery aspect with an interim coach and play callers. Mike Leach's team is coming off an open date which should have the offensive line back to strength while the backfield is uncertain. Quarterback Will Rogers will hand off to someone but also continue his assault on SEC passing records. Last year he threw for a MSU-record six touchdowns in a comeback win at Auburn. The Bulldog defense should keep the ball out of Tank Bigsby's hands and make young Tiger quarterback quarterback make pressured decisions. With a win Mississippi State will be bowl eligible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A frantic weekend finds Mississippi State starting November in need of the next athletic director. John Cohen leaves his alma mater where he played and coached before six years as AD for the same post at SEC rival Auburn. An initial list of potential candidates was published Monday and more names will be added in coming days as University president Dr. Mark Keenum and staff seek the next Bulldog sports boss. Will the data-driven and analytical Cohen be a good fit with Auburn's passionate fan base? And what new AD will understand the unique challenges Mississippi State faces playing in the land's toughest all-sports conference? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The lone open date of this 2022 season is an important one for this Bulldog season as well as the future. Coach Mike Leach's staff is taking advantage of recruiting opportunities while also working the varsity in a limited practice schedule. After consecutive losses the Bulldogs are 5-3 and out of the rankings. Now they have four games to determine their bowl status for winter, beginning with a struggling Auburn team. The November 5 matchup is first in a three-game homestand for Mississippi State. But there is much to do about an offense which has gone cold their last two contests, and some injured Dogs who missed the Alabama trip need to return asap. 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 three-win streak ended in an unfocused evening at Kentucky. The Bulldogs lost as favorites and gave away priceless bowl status in the process. State's defense was beaten all over the field without the big plays of previous wins. The offense lost focus early and did not recover. Now 5-2 and 2-2 SEC, an even tougher matchup awaits. Alabama is not just upset but angry after a tight loss to Tennessee. The Crimson Tide has no margin left in the SEC West or in College Football Playoff terms. The Bulldog program is also suddenly shaken by the Wednesday death of offensive lineman Sam Westmoreland, who would have turned 19 Friday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Three home wins with SEC West victories have pushed Mississippi State up the top-twenty rankings and over .500 in league play. But the Bulldogs are headed to #23 Kentucky where State has not won since Dak Prescott was quarterbacking. SEC-leading passer Will Rogers directs this Dog offense while Kentucky's pro prospect Will Levis is coming off a foot injury. A better ground game is making Mike Leach's air raid more potent, and State is one of the nation's best in both red zone scoring and fourth down conversions. Another matchup to watch is the gambling Dog defense going after the Wildcat offensive front. Both teams are dealing with kicking game issues. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After whipping one SEC West rival Mississippi State tries to take down another Division victim as Arkansas comes to campus. The Bulldogs are ranked #23 in both polls after an all-three phases win over Texas A&M. It is a team game and that was the kind of team effort State is capable of when the defense makes stops, the offense puts up points, and special teams make special plays. Confidence is peaking but Arkansas is a dangerous guest even after consecutive SEC losses. State's defense doesn't know which quarterback to prepare for this week and the Razorbacks have nothing to lose now. A good crowd is expected but ticket are still available and State is asking everyone to come to campus for the 11:00am central kickoff. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's back to SEC competition for Mississippi State as the Bulldogs host Texas A&M in an all-Maroon and White matchup on Scott Field. Mario Haggan and David Murray look at State's bounce-back win over Bowling Green before focusing on a battle with the Aggies. The visiting team is powered by their run game with Devon Achane hauling the ball and former LSU quarterback Max Johnson throwing long, so coverage and tackling are MSU priorities. On the other side Bulldog quarterback Will Rogers, the league's passing leader, faces a stout Texas A&M defensive secondary. State won last year in College Station and tries for a repeat with Mike Leach, who is 8-4 all time against Aggie teams. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Bulldogs had a SEC road victory on their paws at LSU, only to give it away. Mississippi State got a rude reality check after two easy non-conference wins, so for this third out-of-league contest against Bowling Green there can't be any loss of focus. No, not even with a grueling SEC stretch ahead and against a pair of West peers who happen to play this weekend. Mario wants the defense to fix some issues in keeping quarterbacks contained and for the offense to find that go-to receiver rather than just spread the ball around. Murray says league-leading passer Will Rogers needs to regain the sharpness of reads and throws shown in the first two wins. And, that special teams need to be special and not give away points. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mario Haggan and David Murray talk Mississippi State football as the 2-0 Bulldogs open their SEC season at LSU. Haggan played twice in Tiger Stadium himself and has his own perspective on game day on this SEC campus. The 2022 Bulldogs beat Memphis and Arizona handily but are still not any polished product going into conference play. The Bulldog defense must chase a play-making Tiger quarterback while LSU's own defensive front will come after league-leading passer Will Rogers. Can a developing run game be a key to balancing State's attack in Tiger Town? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After opening the 2022 season with a mostly efficient 49-23 home win over Memphis, the Mississippi State Bulldogs both are on the road this week and taking on a Power 5 conference peer at Arizona. The 9:00pm kickoff should cool the desert conditions but it is still a physical adjustment as former SEC and NFL linebacker Mario Haggan explains. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Dawghouse podcast welcomes a new voice and familiar face to Mississippi State football fans. All-American Bulldog and long-time NFL linebacker Mario Haggan joins us to talk opening day for the 2022 Mississippi State team. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The college football season kicked off Saturday and Mississippi State joins the action next weekend by hosting Memphis. There are lingering questions after a closed week of training camp about a few positions and some injuries to update. Mike Leach's first season press conference is Monday with full coverage on GenesPage.com. After preseason observation, the Dawghouse prediction is a 8-4 final record with a sweep of non-conference games and split of SEC contests. Here's who those projected eight wins are, and why. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The second and last scrimmage of preseason was a much better day for Mississippi State's offense as Mike Leach's team wraps up training camp. Lightning cut Saturday's intrasquad session short but not before Fan Fest guests saw more touchdowns, more first downs, and big plays on both sides of the ball. A scattering of injuries have not impacted practices other than to further develop depth in those positions. On offense right guard is the only lingering question mark for opening day lineup. The defense is not just better than expected in spring but deeper as well. And placekicking bounced back for a better scrimmage showing. Practices are now closed the rest of the way to opening day. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The season is three weekends away so until we have real games here is a Sunday over-reaction to Mississippi State's first preseason scrimmage. It was a tough day for the Bulldog offense, a very strong showing by the defense, and a frustrating afternoon for kickers. Mike Leach and staff move into the next phase of camp with a Sunday evening practice to go over results or lack thereof from the scrimmage. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State opened 2022 preseason practicing with two days in typical brutal Southern heat and a third indoors for a lightning threat. All work so far is no-hitting though pads went on Sunday. Limited contact has favored the offense with the defense looking to Wednesday and the start of full-hitting. Quarterback is a clear 1-2 situation with Will Rogers in charge of the offense. Running backs are doing more catching than carrying as usual for camp, but a bigger and better receiver roster is expanding the passing plays. Left tackle remains the largest offensive question. The defensive line looks stronger than in spring and with some intriguing new twists for players and plays along with versatile linebacker packages. Only real contact will tell a real story but the three-day takeaway is so far, so good. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Preseason practicing begins Friday for Mississippi State. Training camp is no longer about getting up to football speed thanks to summer workouts. The Bulldogs will show up ready to practice and our Gene's Page staff will show up to report on it all, with a week-one schedule due out shortly. Before the Bulldog varsity gets busy the coaching staff has stayed busy with end-of-summer prospect camps. This has already produced a fresh round of commitments with now a running total of 13 announced for December signing. The challenge though for coaches and commitments is just how committed all parties are in this new era of free transfers and portal recruiting. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mike Leach wasted no opening statement time at SEC Media Days. Instead he and three Bulldog players made their cases for Mississippi State's 2022 season. Even if league media voted State sixth in the Western Division confidence inside the program is for much better results. Besides, this voting is suspect if only because of first-place support for anyone other than Alabama and Georgia. Change the name and a team of Mississippi State's 2022 qualifications would be picked mid-pack in the country's toughest Division. Also, Name-Image-Likeness is the true topic of the hour. I interview Charlie Winfield of the Bulldog Initiative for a two-part piece on Genespage.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NCAA's recruiting calendar shows this is a dead period for college football. But when it ends July 24 campuses such as Mississippi State will be busy hosting a final round of summer prospect camps. Bulldog football has eight commitments, one-third of a standard class, and expects more to come out of Top Dog Camp. But what was once a meet-and-greet, fun-and-games event for high school players is serious business now. The transfer portal and available college players have cut into scholarships for prep prospects. So making a bigger and better impression at campus camps is important to many a high schooler wanting to sign with his preferred program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SEC Media Days return to Atlanta for a second appearance at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mississippi State is assigned a July 19 morning slot for Mike Leach and three Bulldogs of his choosing. Their names haven't been made public yet so for slow summer speculation here are educated guesses on the lineup and why, as well as why-not others. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Southeastern Conference made its game-changing moves last summer adding Texas and Oklahoma. Now the Big Ten has answered by picking off Southern Cal and UCLA. Mega-conferences are taking complete charge of the future of college football and other leagues are scrambling to respond. Mississippi State's own future will be determined by the size of the eventual super-conference which will assume most of the old NCAA's responsibilities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2022 national championship went to a rival, but Mississippi State baseball fans should not be shaken. Their program, the '21 champions, remain the standard of the state for the long haul with work on upcoming seasons already underway. So, as the late great Douglas Adams wrote...Don't Panic. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fall practice is more than a month away but even in a slow summer season there's plenty of Bulldog football to talk about. Mike Leach and three still-to-be named Bulldogs will appear July 19th at SEC Media Days. A practice schedule has yet to be released. Last year began later than usual, August 11, but is a shorter camp really a problem for players? Mississippi State's staff has eight commitments for the 2023 football roster already. How does this new name-image-likeness era impact commitments though, either the school or prospects? And as he retires from the site which bears his name, a big Bulldog thanks to Gene Swindoll for starting something that has grown into the unofficial voice of Mississippi State sports. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Action is heating up all the more as summer approaches and the NCAA transfer portal for spring 2023 closes July 1. Mississippi State is actively, make that aggressively pursuing more available college players ahead of the looming deadline to go with those already committed or signed. The trick for Chris Lemonis is figuring how many more because the draft isn’t until July 17 and several current Dogs won’t decide their plans until after selection. Or not. Omaha is underway and we aren’t there but portal recruiting is key to getting back in the greatest show on dirt. So it is also for football. Mike Leach is looking for portal additions who can play in 2023 but more immediately is hosting prospects on June weekends. Offers are flying fast from the football office and commitments are coming in too. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While Bulldog baseball fans have to settle for watching 16 other teams play this super regional weekend, Mississippi State keeps working the transfer portal to rebuild the 2023 roster. Four transfers are in the fold already. At same time the Major League Draft looms mid-July, three weeks after the portal closes. Some key State signees are trending towards college careers, a couple seem certain to turn professional. Back on campus Top Dawg camp is underway as Mike Leach and staff get in-person and on-Scott Field looks at preferred prospects. Leach will be out on the Road Dawg Tour three days next week and a month later joins Alabama for a July 19 SEC Media Day session we will cover in-person. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NCAA Tournament begins Friday and Mississippi State isn't in the 64 team field. So the reigning National Champions can't defend their 2021 title. Bulldog fans can still savor the memories of last summer while Coach Chris Lemonis rebuilds a roster for 2023 by hitting the NCAA transfer portal hard. A retrospective on the '21 Champions airs June 14 on ESPN. Meanwhile Mississippi State football is keeping an ear cocked for word from the SEC spring meetings about future scheduling. Among so many topics for debate, the call to stay at eight league games or add a ninth is of most interest to fans and concern to schools who count on bowl games and bowl revenues. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the 2022 Bulldog baseball season barely over work on the '23 team was accelerating. Recruiting more signees for next year to go with fall recruits and commitments is the focus now. But Coach Chris Lemonis can't know for certain how many roster spots are available as current players consider leaving or returning and the mid-July MLB Draft looms also. Still Mississippi State is going to the transfer portal for more immediate help next season while also cultivating prep and juco prospects for the future. It's complicated by the calendar but the pressure to bring Bulldog baseball back to expected excellence is all the greater after a lost 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 path to the SEC Tournament is narrow indeed. The Bulldogs must win at least twice against SEC Champions Tennessee on Dudy Noble Field this weekend. But they also need help elsewhere, with Kentucky or Alabama losing two more times than State does; and Missouri losing at least once. This is the price of inconsistent offense relying too much on power, of slow starting pitching and unreliable relief work. State will stick with the same all-right-handed rotation one last weekend. Tennessee is playing for the #1 overall NCAA seeding. Bulldog RJ Yeager is a finalist for the Boo Ferriss Trophy given to the state of Mississippi's top college ballplayer. 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 fragile grip on the last berth in the SEC Tournament slipped at last. The Bulldogs were swept at Texas A&M and now are 13th overall in the league, one spot out of the 12-team conference tourney field. State can still sneak into Hoover but need to beat #1-ranked Tennessee and have either Kentucky or Alabama, or both, get swept in their final series. Bullpen breakdowns and lack of timely hitting are the obvious issues. But starting pitching has not begun games well either and too many home runs have been solo shots. State is also staring at a losing record for the first time since 2015. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State is at Texas A&M for a series that may well settle the Bulldogs' 2022 fate. State is tied for the last available berth in the SEC Tournament with six league games left. The tiebreaks which favor State today will change by next weekend. State can only control any fate by winning against the Aggies and next weekend the top-ranked Tennessee Vols. An offense relying on power has been unplugged in recent games. A slow-starting rotation is giving away early leads while a battered bullpen can't hold up in late games. 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 must-win series with Florida was not just a loss but a sweep. The Bulldogs now are tied for the last SEC Tournament berth. The tiebreak would favor MSU today but will tilt to Kentucky in two weeks. A number of NCAA Champions have failed to make the national tournament the next season, but missing their conference tournament is unthinkable. State has out-hit six of the eight series opponents but lost five of them. Clutch hitting is at fault more than a shaky pitching staff which got three respectable starts. 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 Florida in a crucial SEC weekend for both ball clubs. Winning this series won't lock up a SEC Tournament berth for either. But a lost weekend can put that team close to elimination from the entire post-season. Both teams began the season in the top-ten of all polls, now neither is ranked at all. Mississippi State shows significant statistical advantages in almost all offensive categories for SEC play only. The pitching stats are close enough to each other save for State's edge in strikeouts thrown. But Florida is not a strikeout order. The key to State coming out ahead is getting runs early and often so a thin pitching staff can work more innings without tight-game stresses. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State lost a must-win and even must-sweep series at Missouri, yet somehow improved the SEC standings with three weekends left. But the NCAA's updated RPI finds the Bulldogs eleven spots lower and that much farther from Tournament selection. The remaining SEC slate does provide RPI opportunities only if the Bulldogs can win at least five of the nine games. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Charles Cross made more Mississippi State history as a first-round NFL Draft selection, highest by a Mississippi State player in four decades. An All-SEC tackle and three-season Bulldog, Cross turns 22 in November so his best years are ahead. Mike Leach and staff members attended the Las Vegas Draft event where Leach saw his fourth career first-round draft player. Bulldog baseball is on the road needing not just to beat Missouri but score a sweep to get over .500 SEC and keep improving the NCAA ratings. Coach Chris Lemonis will ride the same all-righthander rotation. Bulldog batters maintain a program record home run pace but need more clutch RBI hits to take this weekend. 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 a tight three-game series at Ole Miss to improve both the SEC Tournament standings and NCAA Tournament chances. Bulldog teams have won the last six series in this rivalry. State used muscle to knock out the home-team Rebels, a marked role-reversal for both programs. State is 9th now in the SEC standings with a two-game margin over teams tied for 10th place. The Bulldogs still need more wins of any sort to improve their national RPI. Spring football concludes Tuesday for Mike Leach's 2022 team with their 15th practice. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State plays at Ole Miss. The weekend’s winner gains mid-SEC season momentum, the loser falls farther off post-season pace. The remaining schedules are just about equal which makes this weekend mean more. Mississippi State has owned the series since 2016, a streak the Rebels will give anything to end on their field. On the football field Mike Leach is making up for a washed-out spring game with a pair of scrimmage-type practice this week and another session moved to next Tuesday. Athletic director John Cohen talks about additions and renovations to Davis Wade Stadium and why an indoor practice facility will wait. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A holiday weekend was good not great for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs took two but were short of sweeping Auburn. They are tied for 9th in the SEC as the league’s season second half begins with post-season status very much in question. State is at rival Ole Miss this weekend. Sustained success is what the Bulldogs need now to improve in the standings and raise their NCAA ratings. Football’s spring game was washed out so Mike Leach will hold a public scrimmage this Saturday to end camp. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A home-field sweeping leaves Mississippi State well off the SEC pace and nearing triple-digits in Monday’s updated NCAA RPI. The Bulldogs stay home for four games this week, and must start stacking up wins quickly to secure a SEC Tournament spot and improve NCAA Tournament hopes. Bullpen issues cost the Dogs one win but the larger problem is no production at the plate in RBI situations. Spring football peaks this week with two more practices ahead of Saturday’s morning spring game, more a scrimmage given the state of State’s roster. The quarterback battle has reliable Will Rogers leading athletic Sawyer Robertson. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hitting home runs is fun but Mississippi State needs more balance in the Bulldog offense to take care of visiting LSU in this weekend's SEC West rivalry series. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State hosts LSU during a crucial nine-game home stand for Bulldog baseball and their NCAA Tournament goals. State has improved its NCAA RPI greatly in two weeks but still is far from assured of post-season status. Coach Chris Lemonis is considering revising his starting rotation for this weekend but seems more likely to make these moves for the Auburn series. The all-righthander starting trio struggled at Arkansas and must regain location and control against one of the SEC’s best offenses. Bullpen roles are becoming clearer as more middle relievers get more innings, while the late-game pressures fall to a pair of pitchers. Spring football is into the meat of camp contact work and Mike Leach will talk about it following Saturday’s practice. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Salvaging a split at Arkansas was the bare Bulldog minimum for one weekend. But if they can turn a gritty Sunday victory into something bigger Mississippi State has nine home games to transform this 2022 season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State begins a new month and an extended stretch of SEC West weekends with a trip to Arkansas. Cold conditions are expected in Fayetteville but the Diamond Dogs are feeling some heat to steal a win or two, and end Arkansas’ streak of sweeps at State expense. The Bulldogs also badly need to improve their RPI which has been in uncomfortable triple-digits for weeks. It is a different Razorback team in several ways, particularly on offense where many numbers favor Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have dialed up their power lately and are on nearly a record pace slugging the ball, but Coach Chris Lemonis wants more consistency through the order with hits, runs, and RBI from everyone. Arkansas brings superior pitching to this matchup yet State has enough talented arms to keep up the strikeout pace. Meanwhile spring football concludes a second week with a Saturday practice. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State took its must-win series with Alabama and evened the SEC record after two weekends. The Bulldogs got their wins the hardest ways, with 11 of the 15 total runs scored in the seventh innings or after. The weekend still left an incomplete feeling with a Sunday loss preventing a sweep which would have built momentum going into April and four SEC West rivalry series. Starting pitching was good, not great as defined by Coach Greg Lemonis. Bullpen issues continue even in wins as State rides the best available arms and works for matchups. The offense is either hot and powerful, with 20 home runs in a seven-game stretch; or cold, really cold with a sub-.200 average in losses. Meanwhile with two practices in the books Coach Mike Leach puts the Bulldogs to work Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday this week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bulldog baseball is in town for a SEC weekend and hosting Alabama in a series which both clubs need to win. Mississippi State is looking to at least square the SEC record and maybe more. Bulldog batters have been flashing fresh power in the last two weeks and are third in SEC home runs. Maybe as importantly the Dogs are hitting doubles and driving in runs that were missing for weeks. A batting order is taking clearer shape with Jess Davis leading off ahead of Kamren James, setting up middle-men for RBI opportunities. Pitching struggled with ERA at Georgia and the same three starters must limit early damage while the offense hopefully builds margin for a still-shaky bullpen. On the football field Leach's immediate spring priorities are improving a secondary that struggled last fall, particularly at safety; and rebuilding the blocking. If a pair of still-developing tackles can take care of their ends the offensive line can inspire some confidence. All jobs are officially open, even quarterback where two-year starter Will Rogers will get pushed by redshirts Sawyer Robertson and Daniel Greek. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State dropped a SEC season-opening series at Georgia and will likely drop from the top-25 rankings as well. The number which matters more is the NCAA's updated RPI, which can only go up from last week's debut at #178. At this point all that really counts is wins and after dropping a pair to a veteran Georgia team the Diamond Dogs need to at least take this weekend's series with Alabama and preferably score a sweep. A lineup and batting order do seem to be taking shape just as starting pitching struggled all weekend and the bullpen more so. Meanwhile Bulldog basketball has a new boss. Three days after Ben Howland was dismissed, Chris Jans was hired from New Mexico State to build on Howland's work and return Mississippi State to the NCAA Tournament. And, once back there to win games. 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 underway and Mississippi State steps to the plate this evening at Georgia. Bulldog baseball has been an early-season mystery as offensive and pitching statistics don't exactly square-up. This reflects an ongoing search for the best batting order while injuries have forced revisions to both starting pitching and relief roles. State is #178 in the NCAA's ratings index and needs to open SEC season strong for eventual post-season position. Bulldog basketball is now in the public phase of the search to replace dismissed Coach Ben Howland. The job is far more attractive today than when Howland arrived and the leading candidates have been busy with NCAA Tournament action. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A tough loss at Virginia ended Mississippi State's 2021-22 basketball season, in a manner Coach Ben Howland said epitomized the whole campaign. Now Bulldog basketball will wait on the expected news that Howland's own time as head coach has ended after seven seasons. He inherited a complete rebuilding job and did so over time, yet in the process raised expectations for the program his teams could not quite meet with just one NCAA Tournament appearance. Howland led the program with dignity and deserves thanks for a tough job done well, but it will be a new coach taking State to that next level. An announcement is needed soon, too, as current players and signees weigh their own futures with the program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State earned a much-needed sweep of visiting Princeton to build some momentum going into SEC baseball season, which opens this weekend at Georgia. Coach Chris Lemonis expects some updates on the health of three pitchers today. Another revised Bulldog batting order forces changes to the defensive lineup as Mississippi State seeks offense above all. A rotation seems taking shape for the Georgia trip. Meanwhile Bulldog basketball will end this season and Ben Howland's tenure in the National Invitation Tournament, beginning at Virginia. A Sunday report of a firing is premature but the change will be coming as the season ends. And, as serious work on renovating Humphrey Coliseum begins. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As Mississippi State breaks for spring, there's no break for Bulldog teams. The basketball Dogs whip South Carolina to earn a quarterfinals matchup with Tennessee in the SEC Tournament. Barring an unlikely run to the tourney title there is no NCAA option, though the NIT is still out there. Either way Ben Howland's seven-season tenure will end with this campaign. Bulldog baseball brings a most unfamiliar .500 record into the final pre-conference season weekend and needs to not just win three games from winless Princeton but do so in momentum-building style. The rotation is short a starter with Landon Sims out and likely done. So State not only has to rebuild the rotation but work on bullpen roles which haven't borne results often enough. What fans should watch closely today is the lineup and more to point batting order as Bulldog offense is near-last in most SEC categories. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's still early but a 6-6 start with some bad losses and no true quality wins already has Mississippi State baseball in a pre-SEC season hole. Concerns for the team pause Monday while awaiting results of a MRI on ace pitcher Landon Sims' arm. The Bulldogs have to decide starters for key midweek games with Texas Tech and if Sims is not available still find a rotation for the weekend series with Princeton. Bullpen breakdowns have kept State from finishing off wins, but equally an offense not maximizing scoring situations has put more burden on the relief staff. Bulldog basketball prepares for the SEC Tournament in Tampa which appears to be the last act of Ben Howland as Mississippi State coach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mississippi State played the first rubber game of this 2022 baseball season which they did not expect against visiting Northern Kentucky. Chris Lemonis again juggled his batting order and this time also changed the defensive lineup. After missing too many fastballs the first weekend the Diamond Dogs teed off on fat pithes for Saturday and Sunday home runs. Lemonis still says he's trying to figure out this team and with a road trip to Pearl against Southern Mississippi; then a weekend series at Tulane time is getting tighter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.