Well Wishes to Another Set of Dogs

ESPNU and ESPN Classic are showing a lot of games from last year's regular season, along with several bowl games, to warm up for the 2008 football season. And since they are not on our schedule this year and because I'm watching the Music City Bowl between UK and F$U and they mentioned it, I'd like to extend the best of well-wishes for this season to the Mississippi State Croomdogs. After the problems they had under Jackie Sherrill and the lost seasons afterwards, along with the way Alabama treated Sly Croom, it's intensely gratifying to know that he's got that program on the upswing. Check it out:

Last year they beat Auburn, beat then-14th ranked Kentucky, beat Alabama for the second straight year, won the Egg Bowl and then won their bowl game, their first bowl win in YEARS. For me, nothing beat seeing Sly at the end of the Ole Miss game, doubled over with emotion, hands on his knees, unable to retain the strength and stoicism he had shown all game long after the clock showed 0:00. Not only had they beaten their major in-state rival, but the win pushed them to 7-5 on the year, guaranteeing a bowl bid.

So go Croomdogs! Their schedule is pretty favorable this year, as they start off against LA Tech and Southeastern Louisiana, get Auburn, Vandy, Middle Tennessee and a rebuilding Arkansas squad in Starkville, and play a still-terrible Ole Miss squad (Rev. Nutt won't be able to rebuild that quickly, Green-Ellis or no Green-Ellis). They also play a Woodson- and Woodyard-free Kentucky squad. Also, Mississippi State gets one shocker a year (last year they got two, beating Auburn and Kentucky), which might be Auburn and might be Tennesssee. I'm going to guarantee at least 6 wins for Sly this year and predict 7 and a bowl. And if he's lucky -- beating all the teams he should beat plus Auburn AND Tennessee in Knoxville -- It'll be an 8-4 year and a middle-tier bowl for Sly.

I'll be paying close attention to those Dogs out of Starkville. I think both Bully and Uga VII will have reason to celebrate this year. GO DOGS!

Croom's a class act. He deserved the 'Bama job. I wish him luck, especially against Tn.

Croom one of my favorite folks, period. Football or not. Although he has left a growing legacy everywhere he has played and coached. Kodak All-American. Coached many fine football players that went on to the NFL and left their mark. His father, also an All-American was the team Chaplain at Bama when SC was there. Agree with you dapolla and averagedawg, just a great human being.

dapolla, just finished watching ESPNU and Coach Croom. What an impressive SEC coach he is. I think that their schedule allows this program to grow a lot this year, and Coach Croom knows that. Really enjoyed watching the press conference and the tact that Coach Croom showed. He is truly a dedicated coach, and he made one statement that really stood out to me. \"I am glad to be a coach in the SEC, the best conference in the country\". With that I certainly agree. Go Dawgs!