Q&A with Mississippi State beat writer Colin Damms

The Daily Journal caught up with Mississippi State beat writer Colin Damms of The Dispatch to see what he considers the keys to the Ole Miss-Mississippi State matchup.

Is Jeff Lebby on the hot seat in any way, shape or form?

It’s hard to imagine his job being at risk given the current state of the college football head coaching market, and there is still clear progress from a year ago. There is also considerable excitement surrounding some of the future pieces in place, notably quarterback Kamario Taylor.

But the seat is always warm when you’re losing, and will warm up more with another bad loss.

There is always pressure to win this game, and a third blowout loss in a row to end a 1-7 SEC campaign would only exacerbate the current climate of discontent among fans.

It sounds like Blake Shapen is still the QB. Why has his season been so up and down, and do you believe Kamario Taylor is ready for the job?

For starters, Shapen is the fourth most-sacked QB in FBS. Some is on him, but the offensive line play has been inconsistent, and problems running the ball have caused more problems throwing it. Receivers Brenen Thompson and Anthony Evans are electric playmakers and downfield threats, but the ball has to come out for them to get it.

Taylor looks ready, and arguably opens up the offense more than Shapen because of his dual-threat ability. After he hit a 40-yard bomb to Evans against Arkansas, teams have had to respect his arm as well as his obvious talent as a runner.

If you look online, the fans there want Taylor now, but Lebby has been steadfast in supporting Shapen when questioned.

Statistically, MSU has the worst run defense in the SEC. Is it as bad as the numbers say? What’s been the biggest issue specifically?

At present, yes, and it has steadily gotten worse.

MSU is one of nine teams in FBS to have allowed more than 2,000 rushing yards this season, and 868 of those yards have come in the last three games. Georgia and Mizzou were notably bad performances from the front seven, and the Tigers were particularly ruthless with Ahmad Hardy’s 300 yards alone.

Missed tackles are a problem, but the defense also hasn’t been able to shed blocks. Hardy and Georgia running back Nate Frazier both had big runs where they went 50-pluls yards untouched because no one got off their man.

If Ole Miss plays a clean game, there is real potential for Kewan Lacy to shred the defense.

What makes this MSU offense hum?

If Thompson and Evans get going, the Bulldogs have a chance. Their success forces defenses to spread out, which lightens the load on the offensive line and gets Shapen in a rhythm. Even when they’re out of sync or in desperation mode, one 40-yard toss downfield to the reliable deep threats can change the fortunes of a drive.

Would an Egg Bowl win and bowl game make this season a success? What do you expect the stadium atmosphere to be like?

Yes. MSU fans can have lofty expectations relative to the reality of the program, but this is a team that could have, and probably should have, at least two or three more wins than it currently does. Making a bowl game was a big target for Lebby this year, so punching that ticket with an Egg Bowl win would be a success for year two.

The fans will show up, and the student section will be full, but it’s the team’s job to keep them there the rest of the way. The cowbells are always loud and annoying to opponents, as they are meant to be, but they can’t win a game. The ringing will go as MSU goes on the field, and if it ends up like the Georgia game it will be a much quieter second half.

If MSU is going to upset Ole Miss, ___ has to happen.

A change in habit.

The Bulldogs had their clutch moment in a last-minute win over Arizona State in Week 2 but could not replicate it because they continue to squander opportunities. Mistakes became the norm.

Two turnovers for touchdowns against the Vols, four red zone drives with no points against Florida, and a blown 17-point fourth quarter lead against Texas continue to haunt this team in all phases. They’ve been just good enough to be right there multiple times, but as Lebby keeps pointing out, they’re not talented enough to overcome self-inflicted wounds.

To upset Ole Miss, they have to clutch up in big moments, take care of the ball and follow through on their chances.