Bloggers, it’s been a long hard football season, especially for those of you who based your football wagers (that’s illegal in 49 states, you know) on the prognostications of Dr. S. As the Stones once sang, “I’m feeling drunk, juiced up and sloppy, and I only drank 14 beers and 16 shots of Jaeger at the Lounge last night …” Or something like that. Back on Planet Football, this is the last big Saturday for our state schools, so Dr. S prescribes some predictions .He was a startling 2-4 last week. You have been warned. …
Let’s start with the local grudge match between Jackson State and Alcorn State (get yourself down to Veterans Memorial). The Soul Bowl is one of Dr. S’ all-time favorite rivalries, but it hasn’t been much of a contest since Steve McNair left Lorman for the NFL. This could be the last game for both coaches. JSU’s Robert Hughes, aka The Coach Who Wasn’t There, is on the outs with his AD and most Tiger fans. Win or lose, he will probably be an ex-Tigers head coach before Christmas. Meanwhile, Johnny Thomas has made a big comeback from an 0-11 mark a couple of season ago. But the Braves have faded badly down the stretch this year and the team is wracked by internal dissent. If Alcorn doesn’t win, Doc Thomas may be packing his bags, too. Alcorn won’t be able to run on JSU or stop the Tigers when they run. And if the Braves don’t attack on defense and force some turnovers, JSU QB Robert Kent will tear them apart. It’s going to be another unhappy Christmas on the Reservation … “I’m So Fired!” JSU 31, “Me, Too!” Alcorn 21.
Tens of thousands of America’s most unpleasant people will pack Tiger Stadium Saturday night when Ole Miss visits LSU. It hasn’t exactly been Death Valley for the Rebels lately — they have won their last three games in Baton Rouge and four of their last five against the Tie-guhs overall. LSU is so schizophrenic this year, the state of Louisiana is more nuts than usual. Which LSU team will show up tonight? The one that crushed Florida or the one that was crushed at home by Auburn and Alabama? It doesn’t matter, because Eli doesn’t play defense. … Troubled Tigers 17, Rancid Rebels 16.
Mississippi State’s latest stretch of pain can be traced back to two years ago at this time when Arkansas came to Starkville. The Razorbacks were heavy underdogs that day, but won. Since then, State is 6-16 overall and 2-14 in the SEC. The Dogs are on a rocket sled to the SEC cellar, but Arkansas still has something to play for. … Hopeful Hogs 17, Dead Dogs 14.
Remember, there’s always a good reason to go to New Orleans. Even it’s to see a crappy football game between Southern Miss and Tulane. That Dome Foam rules. USM is weak on offense and its defense can’t stop a really good team. But Tulane isn’t a really good team. … Flightless Fowl 24, Green Ripple 18
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The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.
