Well, the cowbells were silenced after quarterback Blake Shapen threw the game-ending interception against the Florida Gators. He didn’t catch fire until the fourth quarter and that last drive. However, with that being said, he threw for 324 yards on the day. Mississippi State had the football on the Florida 29-yard line and was behind by only two points.
We needed Shapen and Lebby to protect the football, not do anything stupid, and secure the field goal for the win. But some genius called for a pass play when they had been running and balling out all day long. The fatal pass play ended up being a disaster and resulted in a heartbreaking loss that just may keep the Dawgs from going bowling.
With only five games remaining and some formidable foes on their schedule, in my humble opinion, as I read the tea leaves, it doesn’t look good for the home team. I’m even willing to go out on a limb and predict that of those five remaining opponents, only the Arkansas Razorbacks will they possibly be favored to win. It takes six wins and some luck with the selection committee to be eligible to go bowling, and they will have their work cut out for them from here on in.
The one that got away in the swamp will loom larger than life for Jeff Lebby and his staff and will be the difference in a winning or losing season. Florida, on the other hand, decided to fire its coach, Billy Napier, and go in another direction — which could very well happen in Starkville.
Larry Watson
Columbus
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
