STARKVILLE — The Liberty Bowl committee has made it clear to Mississippi State: The bowl will select the school for its game.
Liberty Bowl Executive Director Steve Ehrhart told The Dispatch in a phone interview Tuesday his bowl game would like MSU to make its second appearance in its event since 2007.
“We would relish the opportunity to have the Mississippi State nation as our SEC representative in Memphis on December 31st,” Ehrhart said. “However, a school isn’t fully considered by us or any bowl, of course, until they get to that six win mark.”
MSU’s sixth victory could come at 6 p.m. Saturday (ESPNU) when it plays host to the University of Mississippi (2-9, 0-7 Southeastern Conference) in the Egg Bowl.
In the bowl selection process, one to three SEC schools could be selected to play in Bowl Championship Series games (depending on how LSU, Alabama, or Arkansas finish). The Capital One Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Chick-fil-A, Outback, and Music City Bowl will select SEC bowl-eligible teams before the Liberty Bowl gets to select a team.
MSU (5-6, 1-6) last played in the Liberty Bowl in 2007 when Sylvester Croom’s team defeated the University of Central Florida 10-7. Safety Derek Pegues was named the game’s MVP.
The only uncertainty is if the bowls will shift teams to avoid a potential interstate matchup in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31. Multiple sources close to the situation have informed The Dispatch that if Southern Mississippi, which represents Conference USA, and MSU are selected, the bowl committee would work with the schools, the leagues, and other bowls to accommodate everybody involved and essentially avoid such a matchup.
“We are not preparing for any hypothetical situations because it’s always been our belief that you close your mind off when you try to plan for ‘what if’ deals,” Ehrhart said. “I can say we will do what’s in the best interest of everybody involved if that were to occur.”
Mullen not surprised by Meyer rumors
MSU coach Dan Mullen wasn’t surprised when the reports surfaced this week that his former boss was considering returning to coaching.
Several websites, TV stations, and The Columbus Dispatch have reported that former University of Florida football coach Urban Meyer has reached an agreement in principle with Ohio State University and, barring any last-minute problems, will be introduced as the Buckeyes’ coach next week.
Mullen was one of Meyer’s assistant coaches at Bowling Green University, the University of Utah, and at Florida from 2001-08.
“I’d be shocked to not see him coach again,” Mullen said.
Meyer has denied rumors about the Ohio State opening, saying he’ll withhold further comment beyond a statement through his agent and current employer, ESPN.
“I have not been offered any job, nor is there a deal in place,” Meyer said in a statement. “I plan on spending Thanksgiving with my family and will not comment on this any further.”
Ohio State, under interim coach Luke Fickell, will play at No. 17 University of Michigan on Saturday. Fickell, who some reports have said will be retained on Meyer’s staff, declined to address the story, which has been percolating for days.
“I’m going to have enough respect for this football game to make sure it’s about this football game,” Fickell said Wednesday. “I don’t think this is the time and the place.”
Meyer announced in December 2009 he was stepping away from coaching due to health concerns before changing his mind. After taking a leave of absence, he returned to the sidelines for the 2010 campaign, but he retired again in December.
“Urban is a young guy and (coaching) is in his blood,” Mullen said. “I don’t know if this is the year or not, but at some point (he’ll get back into it) — more than the Pop Warner football and Little League baseball he’s doing now. I can’t imagine how intense that Little League practice must be.”
Starter unknown at left tackle Saturday
The name of the starter who will get the job of protecting the blind side of MSU sophomore quarterback Tyler Russell won’t be announced until game time Saturday night.
MSU’s redshirt freshman Blaine Clausell held the University of Arkansas pass rush at bay for the final three quarters last week in a 44-17 loss. If the Mobile, Ala., native gets the nod, it will be his fifth career start. He would start in place of senior James Carmon, who started against Arkansas but was pulled after MSU’s first possession.
“The key for me is mentally understanding that at any moment my time could be right now,” Clausell said.
Clausell replaced Carmon after the 330-pounder allowed two quarterback hurries by junior defensive end Tenarius Wright and a sack by senior Jake Bequette, the end on the other side.
Said Mullen, “(Carmon) had a bunch of missed assignments and mistakes early in the game that cost us. He would be going the wrong way sometimes even and you can’t do that in big games.”
While Carmon was battling a knee injury he suffered Sept. 10 in a 41-34 loss at Auburn, Clausell started at left tackle for four straight games, starting Sept. 15 against then-No. 3 LSU.
Clausell spent the 2010 season as the backup for starter and eventual NFL first-round pick Derek Sherrod.
Of the 10 sacks of Russell this season, nine of them have come in SEC games.
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