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Weekly Look Back & Look Forward: Heading to Week 9

College football hasn't been bad to Mississippi for the most part this season. There is hope everywhere, unless you're a USM fan, and you can check out last week's games in the JFP print edition or http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2012/oct/24/marathon-wins-msu-losses-usm/">follow this link.

The big winner last week was Mississippi State. The Bulldogs took care of everything in front of them to setup a showdown this week against Alabama.

There has been a ton of talk about who has played anybody but at this point in the season, there is not many teams who have played anybody but Kansas State, Florida and a few other teams that might end up with good wins this season.

Notre Dame can get in the who have you played conversation and so can the winner of the Alabama/MSU game after this week. Talking about who just about any team has played right now is worthless. You have to wait until November before really looking at a schedule.

Mississippi State has plenty of chances to play some big games down the stretch and prove they are a good football team. The Bulldogs still have LSU, Texas A&M, and maybe Ole Miss or Arkansas will be a bowl team before the season is done.

Give credit to MSU for beating the teams on their schedule and working to become a power in the SEC. Things normally don't change overnight for college football programs but Dan Mullen has the Bulldogs on the right track.

If MSU does pull off the upset this weekend, the real question becomes what can they afford to pay Mullen. Bigger programs with more money are going to backup Brinks' trucks in Starkville to try to lure away Dandy Dan.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

I wrote in http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2012/oct/24/championship-team/">my rant this week, that MSU must stop the run. The Bulldogs must force Alabama to become a passing team. Why?

That part is easy. I think the Crimson Tide running game is their biggest strength on offense. I also think Mississippi State's biggest strength is their secondary.

Forcing Alabama to throw the ball more than they want would put the weakest (if you can call anything about the Tide weak) part of their offense against the biggest strength of the MSU defense.

Neither team turns the ball over a lot but they force a ton of turnovers. That means the team that loses might end up having beat themselves. Mississippi State can't afford to have turnovers and must force turnovers.

Las Vegas has the Bulldogs as 24 point underdogs and that is not a slap against MSU. Take this into account, both of these teams have faced Tennessee.

Mississippi State needed a final late touchdown to beat the Volunteers by 10 points. Alabama spanked Tennessee by 31 points in a game that wasn't even close.

Can the Bulldogs beat Alabama? Absolutely but to do so they will need to play their best football game of the year and still get some help from Alabama.

There is a lot of talk about believing in a 8-0 MSU team on Facebook and Tweeter. Here is what I believe, will the Bulldogs beat the Crimson Tide? No.

Alabama 31 MSU 17

Ole Miss Rebels

This is a big week for Ole Miss, who is coming off their bye week, against Arkansas on the road. The 4-3 Rebels meet the 3-4 Razorbacks in a game that will have a big say in both their bowl hopes.

Ole Miss has Georgia, Vanderbilt, LSU and Mississippi State left on their schedule. This game and the Vanderbilt game is the best chance the Rebels have of getting to six wins.

That doesn't mean Ole Miss couldn't upset Georgia, LSU or MSU along the way but I doubt they will accomplish that feat. A loss in this game could spell doom for the Rebels bowl hopes but they would have life with a loss but the road gets a lot harder.

Beating Arkansas begins and ends with putting pressure on the Razorbacks' quarterback Tyler Wilson. If Ole Miss can harass Wilson all day, their chances of winning go up dramatically.

Arkansas has won their last two games but I wouldn't be jumping for joy if I was a Razorbacks fan. Beating Kentucky and Auburn after starting the season as a national title contender.

The Razorbacks defense hasn't stopped a opposing offenses very much this season (and no I am not counting what they did to offensively challenged Kentucky or Auburn as stopping anyone). Ole Miss should have no trouble scoring against Arkansas if they protect the football and run their offense.

Ole Miss has had two weeks to get healthy and ready for this game. The Rebels will have to do deep soul searching if they lose this Saturday.

Ole Miss 34 Arkansas 31

Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Quick trivia question. Can you name the only two FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) teams without a win yet this season?

If you answered Massachusetts and Southern Miss, then you would be right. Every team in the country has a win already but the the Minutemen and Golden Eagles.

Adding FCS (Football Championship Series) teams to the mix, USM is one of five teams without a win yet. Rhode Island, Austen Peay, and Valparaiso are all still looking for that first win of 2012.

Southern Miss has only a few good chances of winning a game this season and against Rice this weekend is one of those game. The Owls are 2-6 with wins over Kansas (by one point) and UTSA.

Rice has been competitive in most of their games this season. USM on the other hand has struggled just to stay in games in 2012.

I want to day this is where the Golden Eagles get win one of the 2012 season but a bolder prediction might be how long this season head coach Ellis Johnson lasts. It has been hard to watch the downfall of program that won a school record 12 games last year.

Even with a all the talent lost and the departure of former head coach Larry Fedora, a 6-6 record should have been possible this season. Next year could be a bounce back year for USM but signs of life near the end would be at least hopeful for this program.

Rice 24 USM 23

Jackson State Tigers

The Tigers take a much needed break this season with a week off. Next up for Jackson State will will a road game against Grambling State.

JSU sits tied for second place in the SWAC East with a 4-2 record. The Tigers will be keeping a close eye on the Alabama State and Alabama A&M game. Jackson State is currently tied with Alabama State but a game behind Alabama A&M in the standings.

A win by Alabama State, forces a three way tie with the Tigers still to face Alabama A&M this season. A loss by ASU gives Jackson State sole possession of second place in the division.

Jackson State is off

Alcorn State Braves

Like Jackson State, Alcorn State takes the week off as well this week. The Braves will face Mississippi Valley State when they resume play.

At 3-3 in conference play, ASU is just two games out of first place in the SWAC East but lost to Alabama State. The Braves beat Alabama A&M, so if they could finish above JSU and Alabama State, Alcorn would own the tie breaker.

There is still a long way to go but Alcorn State still has life.

Alcorn State is off

Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils

Unlike Jackson State or Alcorn State, Mississippi Valley State is not off this weekend. The Delta Devils face Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday.

MVSU has been tough on defense this season but struggles to score points on offense. Because of that stout defense, the Delta Devils have been in just about every game this season.

Expect this to be a close game but a win might be tough for MVSU. If Mississippi Valley State does win this game, it will effect the race in the West division since APBU is leading that race with a 4-1 conference record.

Delta State Statesmen

Things haven't gone great for Delta State under new head coach Jamey Chadwell. The Statesmen are 3-4 on the season and face a tough test against West Alabama this Saturday.

The Tigers are 6-2 on the season and 2-0 in conference play. DSU is looking at a losing season if they lose two out of their last three games.

A win at home against West Alabama will be hard for Delta State. The Statesmen would like to finish strong and bounce back into national title contention next year.

West Alabama 35 DSU 21

Millsaps Majors

Millsaps steps out of conference this week against Trinity (TX). The Majors, who have been road warriors also face the Tigers on the road.

Trinity is 4-3 on the season and the Majors look to keep their great season going. At 6-1, the Majors are 4-0 away from home this year.

I'm not going against the Majors with the season they are having right now. Without question, the best small college football team in the Jackson area is Millsaps.

Millsaps 42 Trinity 20

Belhaven Blazers

Belhaven is back to .500 and with three games left, this team has a chance to finish strong. The Blazers hit the road to face Faulkner University in Alabama.

The Eagles are 5-3 and like Belhaven, they are 3-1 in conference play. A win this week will put the Blazers on a three game winning streak.

I have to figure these are to closely matched teams. Belhaven is coming on strong late, so I am going with the Blazers.

Belhaven 28 Faulkner 17

Mississippi College Choctaws

Mississippi College is enjoying homecoming a little more this week after a win last week. The Choctaws play host to East Texas Baptist for this game.

MC is not having a great year and at 2-5 is looking to have a good ending to season to build next year on over the next three games. The Tigers are 2-5 on the season as well also coming off a win last week.

The Choctaws are home, its homecoming and why not make it two wins in a row.

MC 38 East Texas 21

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