11.27.15: SEC SUPER HOME HOLIDAY EVE: THE FINAL BATTLE

Above Left to Right: Dak Prescott and the entire Junction #transforming with TEETH to destroy UM.

Confidence.

Nostalgia.

Nerves.

Anticipation.

Butterflies.

Eagerness.

Redemption.

Revenge.

Torture.

TEETH



It's here, it's time.  The holiday is over and all focus is shifted to one final task that we have to finish.  As I've thought about Egg Bowl week and the complexities and tried to give it perspective, I really couldn't have agreed more with Austin Golding's Prediction Wednesday this week.  I encourage you to read it in full below, as I couldn't share my thoughts any better.  And I also share the faith that our senior scholar athletes will lead the team to victory this Saturday and be too much in The Torture Chamber for UM to overcome.  Miss ya already Dak.  Over 40 school records....just wow.  Pred Wed:



*Prediction Wednesday* by Austin Golding:

We all knew last week Arkansas and the Bulldogs were going to score some points but I doubt anyone thought it would be over a hundred. Dak Prescott and Brandon Allen put on a show but in the end the team who has learned to win beat the team who is learning to win. Dak put together a night that will be talked about every year these two schools get together. Fred Ross' catch was everywhere the rest of the weekend. It was a hell of a game to watch and just what the Bulldogs needed the week before the most emotional game of the year. It took 51 points to beat what may have been the hottest offense in college football and the Bulldogs got it done on the road.

The Egg Bowl has always been more than a football game in Mississippi. This game serves as a measuring stick to determine which group of people/fans have the upper hand. The social dynamic of this heated rivalry being hosted in a very small state makes it personal. Even though Ole Miss has a 62-43-6 overall lead in the series, the Bulldogs have a 13-11 record against the Rebels since 1991. Hidden in these head to head results is the heart of this rivalry. Long time Ole Miss fans go back to a day when they dominated this match up. Mississippi State fans have enjoyed a rise to power and modern day lead in wins against Ole Miss. MSU and Ole Miss fans alike have reason to believe they should be viewed as the superior program when the reality is both programs continue to fight for the upper hand.

This rivalry has never been healthier when it comes to the football being played. This is the first time in history both teams have been ranked in back to back Egg Bowls. For perspectives sake this is only the 6th time in series history both teams have been ranked going into this game. This is the golden era of the Golden Egg.

The biggest reasons for both teams success this year are the guys they have playing Quarterback. This game will feature the two best QB's in the SEC. Chad Kelly has 3,504 passing yards to Dak Prescott's 3,159. That's good enough for 1st and 2nd in the Southeastern Conference. Kelly has 25 TD's to Dak's 23 but Dak only has 3 interceptions to Kelly's 12. I don't knock Kelly for his picks too much, he is a gunslinger with a big arm and as a result he takes more chances. What surprised me digging into the stats on both QB's is that after all the football that has been played, Chad Kelly has only thrown two more passes than Dak. Kelly has attempted 395 passes to Dak's 393. Clearly the similarities between these two offenses is greater than anyone would have guessed before the season.

Mississippi State - 45 Ole Miss - 38

Beyond the on field statistics the home team has a proven advantage in this series. The home team has won 10 of the last 11 Egg Bowls and Ole Miss hasn't won in Starkville since 2003. Both teams home fields are very tough places to play. The forecast for Saturday looks like temperatures in the 50's with relatively clear skies which means there won't be an empty seat in the stadium. That being said the biggest reason to try and be in Davis Wade Saturday is the opportunity to watch Dak Prescott in Starkville for the last time. Not many people have a chance to knowingly watch the greatest player in their school's history tip his cap on his home field. There is always a lot of emotion in the building for this game, but I feel like the added nostalgia will be what propels MSU to the win.

Dak Prescott has changed Mississippi State football. Before he took the reigns our passing record book didn't look like it belonged in the SEC. Before Dak our team hoped we could win and didn't think they could win. When a player comes into a program and breaks nearly 40 school records it is hard to wrap your mind around that. There have been some players like Jerious Norwood and Anthony Dixon who recently had deafening ovations on senior day, but Dak's will be different. Dak's will be the end of the most successful era in Mississippi State football up to this point. Whoever wins the QB battle next year will be in position to break some of Dak's records but they will have to win a National Championship to eclipse his impact on our program. Saturday is Dak's opportunity to put an exclamation point on the description of his career.

Fans that only watch Egg Bowls in their home stadiums are missing out. The part of the rivalry that extends to Oxford and Starkville as towns seems to be perpetuated by the most closed minded fans within each fan base. Starkville isn't a wasteland and Oxford isn't the ultimate retreat for the top 1%. The truth lies somewhere in the middle and anyone who doesn't enjoy some of what both have to offer is missing out. If anyone tells you any different just ask them when the last time they went to the town they are bashing and I bet their answer is close to "forever ago".


‪#‎HailState‬
‪#‎ShowSomeTeeth‬
‪#‎GTHOM‬

LET'S GO BAY-BEE

TEETH

KHH


p.s. Hope to see you all at the Egg Bowl Bash tonight.  Get your advance (cheaper) tickets here:  http://dawgparties.ticketleap.com/hailstate/

11.26.15: Retiring a Winner: One Last Ring

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  So many good things collide during this week, and every two years when The Battle for the Golden Egg comes back to Starkville, it just makes it that much more special.  An SEC Home Super Holiday Weekend.

This year we have much to be thankful for.  Not only the obvious things in front of us on the field, but also for each one of you.

You all are the reason the tailgate has survived another year.  Not just survived but THRIVED.  I'm thankful for everyone of you who has demonstrated your passion for Mississippi State by serving others.  Most notably,  I'm extremely thankful for Adam's leadership in execution of the tailgate week in and week out.  Inspiring dedication, relentless effort, and TEETH.  The effort is unreal, and just awesome.  And I thank Adam and Molly both for that sacrifice.

I recently got a thanksgiving email from a friend (unrelated to MSU) with a quote that started the email:

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

William Arthur Ward

Sounds like a 3rd Tooth to me.  Who knew?

Here's to all of us sharpening that 3rd Tooth not just this day of our lives, but every day.

I'll leave you with a special tribute to Dak and a fallen cowbell in honor of this holiday and giving thanks:

Please ignore the mispronunciation of "namesake" in the video.  Nobody has time for second takes.

And last, I hope that you can join me at the Egg Bowl Bash this Friday night in Starkville at the new Cotton Mill convention center.  I am a co-host with a Bulldog friend from DC who is organizing it, and we hope it will be a good time.  I know it will be if all of you show up.  The Beating Heart of The Junction.

Buy your tickets in advance here:

http://dawgparties.ticketleap.com/hailstate/

Enter promo code "TEETH" for an exclusive KL discount.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

GO DAWGS

HAIL STATE and

TEETH FOREVER,


KHH

EGG BOWL SCHEDULE

The schedule for this Saturday's meeting against Mississippi aka TSUN follows, but before that, an awesome gif:

Schedule:
11:30 am - setup begins
12:00 noon - KL up and running
1:30pm - light chicken nugget snack is served
4:15pm - SENIOR day dawg walk
5:40pm - leave for the game
6:08pm - team takes the field
6:09pm - senior video
6:10pm - senior day ceremony
6:15pm - kickoff

Weather Forecast:
Perfect. The forecast at kickoff currently shows a temperature of 61 degrees and a mere 10% chance of rain.

Shitty. There is currently a substantial (100%) chance of rain throughout the afternoon and during the game, with temperatures around 50 degrees. This sucks, but is not an acceptable excuse for missing the game. This is why we have tents. And if anyone is considering skipping because of the weather, please read this and re-evaluate: http://www.campusrush.com/dak-prescott-mississippi-state-bulldogs-1472142703.html

I dare you to read that article by Dak and not come support him and his teammates on their last Dawg Walk in The Junction and their last game in The Torture Chamber. He talks about you in the article. He talks about me. He talks about us. Don't let Dak down.  Because he's always given Relentless Effort for us.

Adam (with color commentary from Kirby)

PS: IF YOU SEE WATER PUSH WATER.  THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

11.20.15: HMF! A Letter from Will D on behalf of the DeWeese Family

Will D sent me this letter of thanks to the tailgate on behalf of his family.  He wanted me to share it with the tailgate and the blog.  Here it is:


**********


DAWG FAMILY,

First of all: f#*k Bama. Even though the taste of defeat continues to linger, I look forward to seeing what Dak & Co. can do for the remainder of this season.

I wanted to thank all of you who have kept my family in your thoughts and prayers these past few weeks. We are truly humbled by all the texts, calls, gifts, donations, etc. that we have received. And it was overwhelmingly refreshing to see so many familiar faces this past weekend, as I knew it would be. I wish I could have had more time to catch up with everyone.

As many of you already know, my father passed away recently after battling colon cancer for the better part of six years. In that time, my father and I developed a relationship that I will value for the rest of my life.

Those were not easy years……for either of us. My father continued to face new and more challenging struggles with his health and I, along with many of you, lost a few brothers way too early and for reasons we may never fully understand. However, we both found the comfort we needed in the time we spent together just watching the sports we love, mostly MSU athletics.

There have been many tailgates that I could have attended over those years, but opted to watch the game at home instead……with my dad. I don’t regret missing a single one and I never will. We both got to watch our program grow from the dreaded Croom Administration, when I was in school, to being one of the more noticeable and exciting college football teams in the nation. Neither one of us attended State when the idea of having a Dawg as a potential Heisman candidate or having a #1 ranking was even a possibility. With the help of Dan Mullen and our amazing fanbase, we have grown into a program where the expectations to win are high and our school pride is swelling. I hope to see this trend continue.

And with the commitment and support shown by dedicated tailgaters, like the superbly dominate Kang’s Landing; I have faith that it will.

To end, I want to again thank all of you for the love and, more importantly, the TEETH you have shown towards my family. My father showed his TEETH and gave Relentless Effort every day of his life and I know he would want everyone who reads this to do the same. With much love and total gratitude, my sister and I thank you.

Sincerely,


Will D. aka Will DJ aka "Diddles"


**********

Above Left to Right: Fent DeWeese and Will DeWeese.  TEETH.

Above Left to Right: Pete DeWeese, Libby DeWeese, and Will DeWeese at the Fair.

THANK YOU, WILL FOR THIS LETTER.  WE LOVE Y'ALL.

11.12.15: SEC HOME HOLIDAY WEEKEND 3 of 4 PREVIEW: THIS IS IT.

CAN YOU FEEEEEEL IT?  I can.

There is so much to cover right now.  A lot.  I can't even think coherent thoughts right now.  I'm shaking with anticipation.

As Austin Golding mentioned in his Prediction Wednesday, this is what CFB fans live for.  This is it.  A chance at an elite team in our backyard, in our Torture Chamber.  A chance to ruin the current playoff bracket and shake up the college football landscape.  A chance to watch Nick Saban throw a fit.  A chance to demoralize Alabama.  A chance.....a CHANCE.....at Atlanta.  However small.

Throw away the odds.  Engage passion.  THIS IS IT.

Now, before I run through a wall, a few reminders about this weekend:

1. GAMEDAY AGENDA:

Schedule:

7:30 a.m. - WAKE UP!  IT'S GAMEDAY IN STARKVILLE WITH SEC NATION 

8:00 a.m. - Tailgate setup begins.  CALLING ALL ALPHAS

8:30 a.m. - Breakfast and booze is served. Arrive at the tailgate. SEC Nation broadcast starts. 

11:00 a.m. - Start to FEEEEEEL IT.

12:00 noon - LUNCH IS SERVED

12:30 p.m. - DAWGS WALK.

2:00 p.m. - HIGH FIVES, CHEST BUMPS, ASS SLAPS as we head to The Torture Chamber

2:30 p.m. - Give Everything.

TBD after game - CLUB KANG?

TBD after a potential CLUB KANG event: SHARE THE WORKLOAD by helping to break down the tailgate and clean up.  

PLEASE HELP US RESPECT THE JUNCTION AND DO YOUR PART.

2. THIS WEEKEND: IT'S TIME....TO BRANG THA KANG:

I will personally be honoring the Kang (his playing career under Bear Bryant, and his coaching career at Mississippi State) by vesting up this weekend.  I encourage anyone and everyone to wear a sweater vest with me (although I'm fully mentally prepared to be the only one doing so).  But keep in mind:  THE WEATHER IS PERFECT FOR SWEATER VESTS Y'ALL.  High of 61, Low of 39.  Partly Sunny.

3. IT'S A GIGAPIXEL GAME!

Don't miss out on the gigapixel.  I love it when they do these.  They say they will be taking it sometime during the 1st quarter (probably during a TV timeout).  Make sure you are in your seats when they take it.  They will most likely take it from midfield.  Bonus points if you are throwing the TEETH hand gesture when we scroll through it next week.  Or picking your nose.  Either way.

4. REMEMBER THE TEETH,  BRING THE PAIN IN THE STANDS.  LET'S GO BAY-BEEEE!!!  I personally have this weirdly good feeling about this weekend.  Strangely confident in our student athletes and coaching staff.  Let's get it on.

5. PRED WED by Austin Golding:

*Prediction Wednesday*

If you are a college football fan you live for weeks like these. The times you have a chance for your team to impact the landscape of college football are few and far between for most fans. Alabama fans are accustomed to this position but the vast majority of spectators are more times than not on the outside looking in. Sure Mississippi State gets a shot at Bama every year, but up to this point we haven't fielded many teams that have had a realistic shot at getting the win. This year we get to host the Tide and are armed with the best player in school history playing the best football of his college career. 

We catch Alabama fresh off a physical game with their closest rival. Alabama has reloaded with another elite running back but has one of the worst quarterbacks Nick Saban has had to coach around since he has been in Tuscaloosa. Just like last year the Bulldogs still have everything to play for not just a chance to knock off the Tide. A win this week would rock the college football world. All eyes will be on Starkvegas Saturday afternoon.

Last week in Missouri Mississippi State took care of an obviously distracted football team. Even though the Bulldogs made a mess of them, the Missouri defense is a good unit. Mississippi State came out and got the W in the rain, on the road and with everything to lose on the line. Once again Dak showed why he should be in the Heisman discussion. When you complete 27 out of 40 in a thunderstorm for 303 yards and 4 TD's you win ballgames. Defensively Mississippi State didn't have a let down. Missouri is awful on offense. 

That won't be the case this week. The only damage they did was on the ground and right up the middle. That's worrisome coming into a week that forces us to try and stop a 6'3" 242 pound running back who dropped 210 yards against a talented LSU defense. Mississippi State is 10th in the SEC and 68th nationally against the run giving up an average of 168 yards per contest on the ground.

There are very few statistics that tell a story contrary to what is already known about Alabama. They are very good against the run and that feels like an understatement to type. Alabama has the number one rushing defense in all of college football. They allow just 75 yards a game and 2.5 per carry. Taking a step back and looking at their defense as a whole they only give up 4.15 yards per play. Yes that includes passing. Compare that to the last two Alabama teams to win national titles (2011 and 2012) that allowed 3.32 and 4.18 yards per play respectively and this is right up there as one of the best Alabama defensive units of all time.

If you are Mississippi State fan you have to feel confident riding a statistically eye popping 4 game winning streak. I don't want to pour cold water on those good vibes but those 4 teams are 18-19 so far this season with the best opponent being La Tech at a surprisingly dominant 7-3. That stretch has done a lot for the Bulldogs confidence but lets face it, we haven't played anyone even close what is coming to Starkville Saturday.

Mississippi State - 21 Alabama - 27

Dak Prescott has 36 school records but not at single win against Alabama. Dan Mullen has 53 wins as head coach of the Bulldogs but not one of those is against Alabama. It feels like we are due to pull this win off but I am afraid this game is going to be death by 1,000 cuts.

If we try to run the ball in the first half we are wasting downs. Alabama has the 5th best passing defense in the SEC allowing 190 yards a game. This isn't a weakness so to speak but its as close to a vulnerability as Bama has. If we have success passing it in the first half we can dabble in the run game in the second half. The short passing game with Fred Ross as the focal point is going to be how we move the chains and keep Henry on the sidelines. If we try and force the issue between the tackles get ready for many three and out possessions. The simple formula is move the chains with Ross and score the points with De'Runnya Wilson.

Alabama is going to slam Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake into you until they break you. As soon as you sell out to stop the bleeding they are going to try and hit Calvin Ridley behind your defense. There isn't much deception or misdirection to prepare for outside of the play action pass. If Alabama has to break out the trick plays that means the Bulldogs are in this ballgame.

On defense Alabama may be bringing the best front 7 they have ever had. It all starts with A'Shawn Robinson who is the best defensive lineman in the SEC. The former 5-star prospect from Texas is a 312 pound freak who has been able to dunk a basketball since 7th grade. He brings with him Jonathan Allen, Jarran Reed, Denzel Devall, Dillon Lee, Reuben Foster and the quarterback of their defense Reggie Ragland. Together this front seven represents the most dominant defensive unit in America. How banged up will they be from holding the best running back in America to just 1.6 yards per carry?

I hope I am wrong this week. I think the magic number for the Dawgs is Dak throwing for 350 yards. If he goes for 350+ I say Mississippi State wins. If he can get the ball to 6'5" De'Runnya Wilson over 5'10" Cyrus Jones and find the soft spots behind the aggressive Tide defense we have a chance. Mix in a few improvised runs that keep drives alive along with some timely turnovers and the upset could happen.

Travel safe to Starkville and be a part of what will be the largest crowd in school history.

‪#‎HailState‬

‪#‎ShowSomeTeeth‬

THIS IS IT.  LET'S DO THIS.  IN THE PLACE WHERE THE BATTLE BEGINS.

TEETH,

KHH

11.10.15: I CAN FEEL IT COMING IN THE AIR [SATURDAY MORNING]

When: Saturday, early as hell
Where: Starkville
What: Bammer


Ladies and gentlemen, this is it. Our biggest game of the year. The season, like the tailgate, has had some ups and downs. We lost to two teams we should have beaten. We've had to replace a generator and a satellite dish this year, etc. Neither has had the same electric feel we experienced so many times last year. Saturday is the day we change that.

We (KL members) have done a terrible job of getting to the J early. Arriving to the tailgate 3 hours before the game is not conducive to the rowdy atmosphere we enjoyed so much last year. Also, this Saturday SEC Nation will be broadcasting live from the J at 9:00 a.m. Last Saturday I viewed portions of their broadcast from a vastly inferior school a few miles to the North (before I vomited). This other school happens to have the most severely overrated tailgating scene in America. I mean they don't even allow amplified music. Midway through their broadcast there were many, many tents in the lowered position without anyone around. This will not be us Saturday.

To remedy the late arrival issue and to ensure the J is not a deserted wasteland in the background of SEC Nation, I am pleased to announce and cordially invite each of you to attend breakfast and booze at Kang's Landing. We will have a bloody mary bar, a mimosa station, and breakfast catered by both Chick-fil-a and The Biscuit Shop.

We will also have a full lunch at KL this week, with finger sandwiches and other food in addition to the usual chicken nuggets order. Note the booze will be limited to breakfast drinks and everyone should plan to bring beer, etc. for the rest of the day as you normally would.

The food is provided so that there is no excuse to not come to the tailgate as early as possible. Please complete the survey below so we ensure we have enough food.

online polls

Schedule:
7:30 a.m. - wake your ass up
8:00 a.m. - tailgate setup begins
8:30 a.m. - Breakfast and booze is served. Arrive at the tailgate. SEC Nation broadcast starts. Don't make us look like little bitch boys.
11:00 a.m. - intoxication sets in
12:00 noon - lunch served
12:30 p.m. - dawg walk
2:00 p.m. - leave for the game
2:30 p.m. - game time

Of course, Friday nights in Starkville are awesome. We have our first real basketball game Friday night. The drive from [insert any town here] takes a few hours and it isn't easy to get their early. But this is the last game this season for many of us. Buck the fuck up and get out to the J.

Thx, GL BOL,
Adam

10.31.15: KY HOLIDAY WEEKEND (2 of 4) RECAP

WOWOWOW.  What a celebration SEC Home Holiday Weekend 2 of 4 was!

Let's focus on the football first and try to put this win in the proper perspective:

• This was our 7th (SEVENTH) win in a row against Kentucky.  This lengthens the already longest winning series streak between the two teams.  Sidenote:  let's not ever forget when this streak began (I'll never forget where I was in DC when I was watching this performance and interview on TV):   

• Sacrifice the Wildcats we did.  There was so much blood.  So much.  Only once have we beaten this basketball school so badly, and that was of course under THE KANG in 1994, in Lexington no less.  Dawgs won 47-7.  
• We actually won a game in black jerseys.  Well, dominated really.  That's comforting, because I thought they were cursed.  Hell I may have even liked them.  Still waiting to see that #allgray though.
• We are bowl eligible, for the 6th time in a row.  Again, something that's never happened before.

So, heavy handed high-fives to our TEETH captain Dan Mullen and our student-athlete TEETH soldiers.  So much effort, so much passion.  Good stuff.  Never take it for granted.

Okay, so now from the fan perspective.  LET'S GO TO THE FUN AND RECAP THE JUNCTION THAT WAS 10.24.15:

• Our contract labor continues to #KILLIT with the Tent Race.  This week we had prime corner real estate on the DW:

• Speaking of KILLING IT, there were a couple of people in particular that were #flexing 1st and 2nd TEETH, and they need to be recognized.  William Craig took KANG'S LANDING to a very real Game of Thrones level in honor of the Blackout, and dressed in full Jon Snow attire.  TEETH, William.  TEETH:

And of course Thomas Payne a.k.a. "Tommy" a.k.a. "20K" was murdering the scene as usual:

• This KY fan randomly stumbled into the tailgate with his 3 younger boys and said he worked with Sam Tucker (KL member not in attendance this weekend) in Nashville.  So random.  Friendship built.

• Two MSU standouts from the Kang's tenure visited The Landing this past weekend:  Wayne Madkin (QB) and Eric Moulds (WR).  Turner and I had the best 15 minute conversation with Eric Moulds last Saturday.  It was pretty cool to talk to a childhood hero like that. We talked about playing for The Kang, what he missed most about playing football, what he's doing currently and where he wants to be, what the strengths and weaknesses were of our current WR corps, what was his favorite NFL quarterback to catch, and how he came to Mississippi State, among all sorts of other things.  Kang's Landing magic I tell ya.  Look for his name signed and "#1" on the Relentless Effort banner next time you come to The Landing.

Above: Wayne Madkin

Above: Eric Moulds

• For those that missed it, Hunter Futch gives you a short video taste here:

• LAST BUT NOT LEAST, the all important 5TH TOOTH AWARD goes to Molly Maynard and Kelly Quick for cleaning up the tailgate while the game went on.  Relentless Effort.  High-five these ladies the next time you see them.  TEETH, Molly and Kelly!

Above: Kelly Quick enjoying a spotless Kang's Landing mid-game.  Photo cred: Molly Maynard.

• Gameday weekends are tough:

BUT SO WORTH IT.

TEETH,

KHH