Todd's Random Mid-Season Thoughts on Mississippi State Football

- Mullen has done wonders with the offense in a short perioid of time...He's making the best with what he has and we are moving the ball better than we have in years.

- A year ago, we scored 183 points in 12 games...So far this season, we've put up 165 in six games...That's impressive, if you ask me.

- The problem is, Mullen can't hold on to the ball for his players...Turnovers kill.

- We have an awesome group of young players, both on the field and on the sidelines...This is the first time in a looong time I can say "wait till next year" and honestly believe it.

- I'm not sold on Carl Torbush as the Defensive Coordinator...People like to say that there's a reason Tyson Lee was a walk on QB...Well, there's probably a reason Torbush had fallen way down the coaching ladder before coming to MSU, also.

- Tyson Lee makes a lot of mistakes...I still love the guy, though. As I've said before, Tyson can't change his height and he doesn't pencil in his name at the top of depth chart. He just gives it 100% when he's called upon and he has a huge heart. He takes a beating and keeps on coming.

- I think Tyson shouldn't be so hesitant to run the ball...He does very well on the designed QB runs, but he doesn't want to take off and run under pressure. I feel he's left a lot of yards on the field because of this.

- I'm partial to Chad Bumphis, being a Tupelo boy, but I'm telling ya...Chad is going to be THE MAN in Starkville the next few years.

- Keeping the redshirt on Tyler Russell is the right decision...I trust Mullen when it comes to quarterbacks. He watches practice every day and I believe he would have played Russell by now if he truely thought he was ready to make a difference.

- Once this season has passed, and we turn toward spring drills, we'll all be glad that we have Tyler Russell for a full four years...Russell, Bumphis, Heavens, Chris Smith, Montrell Connor and so many others have me excited in a big way.

- I'm very glad we have Leon Berry.

- If we are able to land juco transfer Cameron Newton at quarterback, to go along with Russell and Relf (assuming he returns), we'll probably have the biggest one year turnaround at that position in the history of our program.

- We can't win many games with no pass defense, pure and simple...When a team starts slinging the ball against us, our best hope for a stop is a turnover...That's a bad feeling.

- Our special teams has been a big bright spot...There was much made of Mullen taking control of this unit, much like Urban Meyer does at Florida, and now I realize what the buzz was about.

- There are some great seniors on this team, who I wish could be around for another year to be a part of what I feel is going to be something special.

- Jamar Chaney is one of them....Outstanding player and an all around good guy.

- Anthony Dixon is a monster at running back...I have a feeling it's a struggle for him to stay on the straight and narrow, but he has true potential at the next level if he keeps his head straight.

- We are 2-4...not good...We could possibly have been 5-1 at this point, if you look through those maroon colored glasses...But in all honesty, we should be at 4-2...That is both discouraging and encouraging...Before the season started, 2-4 at this point seemed on par...but losing to LSU by four inches and then throwing away three chances to score on Houston in the red zone is hard to swallow.

- Now I'll watch some more games, probably have a few drinks and try to convince myself that Mississippi State football isn't everything in life...By mid-week, I'll start thinking "You know, we really should beat MTSU this weekend"...and then, IF we win...I'll find myself thinking "Hmmm, you know Florida hasn't won a game in Starkville in nearly 20 years...."

Ohhh man, it's just an ongoing cycle!