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Mississippi State Preview: We’re Talkin’ ‘Bout Practice

November 18, 2008 by Walking on Sunshine 

It’s funny…when you ask coaches what they think about qualifying for a mid to lower tier bowl, the first thing they usually say is, ‘it’s going to be nice to practice for another couple of weeks.’

Never that ‘we’re looking forward to traveling’ to Shreveport or Nashville…or Memphis or Birmingham (now with the new SEC tie-in to the Papa John’s Bowl).

Reggie Fish (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)With as many freshmen as the Hogs have played this season, perhaps no one in the SEC would cherish the extra work more than the Razorbacks.  So in the words of current NBA star Allen Iverson, “Practice?  We talkin’ ’bout practice, man?”  Yep…you bet we are.

With the Razorbacks two victories shy of extra practice time, Bobby Petrino leads the Hogs into Starkville to rumble with Mississippi State (3-7), before hosting LSU in Little Rock.  The Bulldogs are coming off a hard-fought 32-7 loss to #1 Alabama, while the Tigers escaped by Troy, 40-31, after trailing 31-3 in the second half.

Mississippi State was eliminated from bowl contention last week as they struggled to put up points against the stout ‘Bama defense.  Surprisingly, after 10 games the Bulldogs continue to sit last year’s starting quarterback Wesley Carroll for diminutive junior college transfer Tyson Lee (5-11, 180).  Hog fans got an up-close view of Carroll last season when he torched the Razorbacks in Little Rock for 421 yards and four TDs in a 45-31 loss.

The Bulldog defense has been schizophrenic all year: holding Auburn to 3 points in a 3-2 loss, then giving up 34 to a bad Tennessee offense.  Wide Receiver Derek Pegues is a dangerous return man.

Coach Petrino is uncommittal on which Dick brother may start at quarterback.  Nathan mopped up at USC after Casey suffered a concussion.  If healthy, look for Casey to start.  Believe it or not, he still gives the Hogs the best chance to win…and keep practicing.

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Comments

7 Responses to “Mississippi State Preview: We’re Talkin’ ‘Bout Practice”

  1. BlindHog on November 18th, 2008 12:34 pm

    Well, you know he does.

    I know we are all frustrated with Casey at times. But, you can’t really expect Nathan to hold it together for 4 quarters even against MSU.

    That may be the biggest question of this year, at least looking back. Why didn’t Tyler and Nathan start getting reps from game one? With our QB situation you have to prepare a No. 2.

  2. reasonrules on November 18th, 2008 10:50 pm

    No 2 had to sit out a year.

  3. Carolina Hog on November 19th, 2008 8:54 am

    I’m relieved that medical reasons allow us to get the redshirt back on Tyler W.

  4. BlindHog on November 19th, 2008 10:15 am

    No, 1 had to sit out a year.

    Nathan may have the knack. QBs are born and then made.

  5. HogBaller on November 19th, 2008 10:48 am

    Which Dick will we use on Saturday? Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

  6. BlindHog on November 19th, 2008 1:57 pm

    It had better be the big one.

    It is too late in the year with too little at stake to worry or care about much of what happens. We do need the extra three weeks practice for the weedeater bowl if we can get it and, the youngsters need a little taste of post season play.

    But,

    How nice would it be to see Nathan come out and show some promise and make the new offense hum? It would provide a little hope for LSU, if he can do it. We have heard for three years that Nathan was actually better. Let’s see it.

  7. GonzoHog on November 19th, 2008 6:27 pm

    Carolina,

    I didn’t realize Tyler Wilson had been given the ok for the redshirt. Your right, that is good news.