10.12.15: Member Spotlight! - Thomas a.k.a. "Tommy" Ueltschey

Thomas a.k.a. "Tommy" Ueltschey

Left to Right: Tommy's Roommates Eliza and Andrew

Meet Tommy.  Tommy is relatively new to the tailgate but I consider Tommy a good friend.  Tommy gets me.  I get Tommy. Tommy shows TEETH.

So naturally I reached out to Tommy to see if he would be willing to take part in our Member Spotlight series.  His assistant got back in touch with me and he graciously accepted.  Let's waste no further time:

1. How many years did you spend (or have you spent) in school at MSU?

What is a year?

2. Where do you currently reside?

Jackson, MS with two pretty chill roommates and some puppies

3. Any big news that you want to share since we saw each other last season?

I learned how to walk.  You should have seen my first step IT WAS LEGENDARY KIRBY.

4. What is special about tailgating at Mississippi State/The Junction/Kang's Landing?

Are you talking about that big playground outside the stadium?

5. What is your strongest tooth of the 5 teeth (1. Never take The Junction for granted 2. Build Friendships 3. Show Your Gratitude 4. Be a Proud and Supportive Bulldog 5. Share the Workload)?

Building friendships.  I get it honest.

6. What is your weakest?

Sharing the Workload, but it’s tough because the tailgate isn’t really designed for people of my altitude.  Perhaps if you had a toddler-sized generator or cart I could help you with teardown.  Not being critical, just something to think about going forward.

7. What's your favorite memory and/or the most ridiculous moment you can remember in tailgate history (that's safe for print)?

I like stickers and eating grass.  And that time everyone chanted Daddy’s name at the Auburn game “LAND-MAN-DREW!  LAND-MAN-DREW!  LAND-MAN-DREW!”


Me too, Tommy.  Me too.

TEETH,
KHH

10.9.15: #FADEorFOLLOW - "Trouble in Gambling Paradise" edition

Left to Right: 20K and JGF

From JGF:

This week there is a major disagreement between myself and 20k over the Michigan vs. Northwestern game.

20k is a marble and a complete moron.  He thinks his Dad is Jim Harbaugh and also that he is the second coming of the Chosen One himself.

I, however, am a genius and a very #pure professional sports gambler.

For the money, you follow the Godfather and take Northwestern +8.  For shame and bankruptcy, you follow lil 20k and take Michigan.

As always, THE CHOICE IS YOURS AND ONLY YOURS.  Just remember:  you follow the Godfather and you'll always find your way home.

#fadeorfollow
#dodamage

JGF

p.s. take the under in the Mich/NW game.  BOL

10.8.15: ICYMI feat. a STRONG 1st Tooth Theme

1. South Carolina to play their HOME game against LSU in Baton Rouge due to large scale flooding in Columbia, SC:

Scary.  Just Scary.

I think I've had nightmares before about Starkville being destroyed by natural disaster and having to play all our home games in Death Valley.  Whew.  GL BOL Gamecocks.  Thoughts and prayers to your home state.  And a great reminder to Never Take The Junction For Granted this weekend.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/13828320/south-carolina-gamecocks-move-game-vs-lsu-tigers-baton-rouge

2. PRED WED by the one and only Austin Golding.  Don't miss DO NOT MISS the correct perspective Austin gives in his point #5 this week.  Don't take this run we are on for granted.

*Prediction Wednesday*
In our last 7 SEC games Mississippi State has scored 17, 17, 19, 17, 51 (Vandy), 20 and 17 points. Throw the 51 point game against Vandy out and that's averaging just under 18 points a conference contest. That is just not good enough. Over that same 7 game span the Bulldogs have gone 3-4. We have to find a way to have more offensive production if we even want to pretend to scare the top tier of the SEC.

Texas A&M took some of the weaknesses we looked at last week and turned them into strengths. The Aggies converted half of their third downs and Kyle Allen was only sacked once. If we had any chance to win we had to get A&M off the field and Kyle Allen on his back and neither came close to happening.

The positives to come out of the game were few and far between for me. Malik Dear obviously was a bright spot as well as Jamal Peters on defense. I believe now more than ever that the best talent on this team is still waiting it's collective turn to take the show over. I hated to see Aries Williams fumble like he did because that usually means we never see that person again under Dan Mullen. I hope that isn't the case here but I also hope the A-Train will learn to carry the ball in his outside hand from here on out.

Troy comes into this game 1-3 on the year having lost to NC State, Wisconsin and South Alabama. They will be up against a banged up Bulldog team but that could makes things even worse for the Trojans. Elgton Jenkins will be playing for Rufus Warren and may be the future of the Miss State offensive line. Jamal Peters will be playing more now that Kendrick Market is done for the year. Gabe Myles will also be out for the Bulldogs but we get to now watch Donald Gray hopefully get another chance to show why he is one of our most explosive playmakers. Will Redmond may also be out and that will hurt.

Mississippi State - 40 Troy - 20

I don't think this will be much of a contest. With that said I think the combination of a big loss hangover and the adjustments we will have to grow into because of who is out will allow Troy to score some points. There isn't much to look for on the Troy side of the ball so I have picked 5 specific things to pay attention to during this scrimmage that counts.

1. How many touches does Malik Dear get and what kind of touches are they? Dear is clearly a RB long term. We should let him get plenty of work this game to prepare him for a bigger role down the stretch.
2. What is the run/ pass ratio? The play calling at College Station felt confused and out of rhythm. We need to try and develop a comfort zone and some go to plays or we will still look like we are picking plays out of a hat the rest of the year.
3. Will Dontavian Lee finally get a chance to shine? Please can we give this man a shot? He looked great in the spring. Every touch he has gotten he has run hard and looked decisive. That's what we need more of in the run game.
4. Does Manny Diaz continue to play soft at first and then try to adjust? It would be nice to have the right gameplan in place to start the game and not have to figure it out midway through the second half.
5. What is the crowd like? Will Bulldog fans show up to support a team that looks to be middle of the pack? I hope so. We are currently living in the golden era of Bulldog football. It's easy to get greedy at this point but if you have been cheering the Dawgs on for a long time you know how rare this sustained success is. Be a part of it and show up to Starkville.

I have been incorrect in my predictions 5 times going back to the start of last season. Four of those I have picked us to win and we have lost and one I picked us to lose and we won (LSU last year). Clearly I have high hopes for my Dawgs but if there isn't much improvement the next few weeks we will lose to Alabama for sure. By the same token conference road games against Missouri and Arkansas will be toss ups in my mind.

We don't want the team to quit so don't lay down as a fan either. We can still have a great season. We are building a program that has sustained success in the most difficult conference in the country. That's something to be excited about.

‪#‎HailState‬

3. Game Week Depth Charts Released:  http://www.hailstate.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1158174  .   And no, you didn't really miss anything because Malik Dear is still listed on the 3-deep as WR.  Maybe that will change this week.  Can't wait to see!

HAIL STATE

TEETH,

KHH

10.7.15: Member Spotlight! - Amy Luckett

Left to Right: Malorie Luckett and Amy Luckett

You've seen Amy around, most likely snapping photos here and there on gamedays and showing razor sharp teeth in general.  She has a knack for, well, actually taking pictures while at the tailgate.   Which is why she is our Official KL Historian.  If you happen to follow @kangslanding on IG and/or Twitter, you're really following Amy.  

Also, you probably knew this, but Amy is also responsible for the artwork and production of the #showsometeeth stickers:

Amy graciously donated her time to answer a few questions for the Member Spotlight Series.  Let's jump in:

1. How many years did you spend in school at MSU?

3 years at MSU (2008-2011), and 5 years total in Starkville (2008-2013)

2. Where do you currently reside?

Jackson, MS

3. Any big news that you want to share since we saw you last season?

In 9 beautiful months, I will be welcoming into the world....... my Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner degree!!

4. Why is Mississippi State special to you?

In 2008, at the ripe age of 17 years and 51 weeks, Mississippi State University became my first home away from home (Building 3 represent!). It was here that I had some of the best times of my life, including many football games and nights out in Starkville with my favorite people in the world. It is also where I learned some very tough (and stupid) life lessons, such as:

  1. Don't lie to the cops (unless you want to spend the night in the West Point jail with what looks like the cast of Orange is the New Black).

  2. Don't order $150 worth of snuggies online for your sister's birthday while you are drunk when you only have 20 dollars in your account.

  3. Acting like you don't owe money to Starkville Electric will not keep them from putting your poor ass in the dark in the dead of winter. 

To put it simply, MSU shaped me into the incredible and badass adult that I am today. One love!

5. What is special about tailgating at Mississippi State/The Junction/Kang's Landing?

1. The laid back, fun atmosphere

2. Having fun with people you share your favorite place/team with

3. It's not the grove

4. POST GAME DANCE PARTIES 

5. The best tunes spotify has to offer breaking the sound barrier through the best sound system in the J 

6. Oh and last, it's not the grove.

6. What is your strongest tooth of the 5 teeth (1. Never take The Junction for granted 2. Build Friendships 3. Show Your Gratitude 4. Be a Proud and Supportive Bulldog 5. Share the Workload)?

I would have to say my strongest tooth is my pearly white tooth #1: Never take The Junction for granted.  If you want proof, ride with me to the next game and look at my stupid smiling face when we get to Starkville. 

7. Do you think it's possible to will a team to victory?

Yes. We may not be able to physically play the game for our Bulldogs, but we can pour every ounce of our enthusiasm and excitement on the Junction and Davis Wade, creating a winning environment, a.k.a. THE TORTURE CHAMBER. So yes, we can will our team to victory. 

8. Favorite KL moments: Go.

1. When The KANG himself came to the tailgate and decided to become a member and love us forever.

2. ANYTHING and EVERYTHING about the Auburn game last year. 

 

Next time you see Amy, give her a high-five for her relentless effort inside and outside The Junction.

TEETH, Amy!  THANK YOU.

 

10.3.15: GAMEDAY. Oh You Thought Today Would Be Relaxing?

A nice little Saturday?  Maybe Bed Bath and Beyond?

Wrong.  Wrong:  don't fool yourself.

Today we clock in.  Today we dig inside ourselves and find a passion within our being that our competition can only sit back and admire in defeat.  Today we give absolute--honest to ourselves and our family--relentless effort.  Today we go to bed drained.

Today we work.  Today we win.

"Are they crazy?  I've never seen such intensity.  It's just College Football....."

This is the loser's speech that we want to hear from losers today.  Let us show so much passion on the field that they question their own.  Let us lead:  on the field and off.  Let us show so much TEETH people just can't comprehend it.

"When you step inside those lines you need to become MONSTERS."  - Dan Mullen

HC DM is thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis close to saying the words TEETH.  Not that we care.  We only care that he can rest in the fact that he has monsters on his side.  Road Dawgs:  show him today what a Monster that has his back in the stands looks like.  We are sending ten million aggressive, dominating, positive vibes towards CS today.   Let him see the TEETH.  Let our team see the TEETH.

Time to work.

Time to Run This Town.

Time to WIN.

and Tonight:  Time to rest....victorious.

As 20K and JGF would say:  LET'S GO BABY!!!!!

TEETH,

KHH

10.2.15: #FADEorFOLLOW

Let's go baby. Are we feeling good??? I'm feeling great. I'll say it again: LET'S GO BABY.

One may say, "20k and Jackson GF! whats the deal lucille?"

I'll tell you the deal baby we are making plays and we are cementing them in concrete, down to the knee caps baby. If I was in the mafia, I'd be tying concrete blocks to these picks' legs and drowning them...THEY ARE THAT GOOD.

Did I say picks? I meant one pick. Now we don't do this much, but today we are doing it. YOU TAKE THE DOGS AND YOU TAKE THEM LARGE.

YOU CAN MOVE ON THIS GAME AS IF IT'S ALREADY BEEN PLAYED

This line is DROWNING. It's already moved two points. Its already moved two points. It's f*#king already moved two points!!! I said LET'S GO BABY!!!! Money line sprinkle? Money line sprinkle. Don't be a coward. What would Dak say BABY LET'S GO!

-20k, Jackson God Father

10.1.15 - ICYMI feat. Will Redmond

1. Relentless:  GO TO 1:22 mark. DO IT.  DO IT!!!!!!:

2. PRED WED by Austin Golding.  Fantastic Analysis, AG.  Keep it up!:

*Prediction Wednesday*
The Bulldogs went to Auburn and took care of business. The first half of football, especially the first drive, showed what this team is capable of. The second half of the game it seemed like we put it on cruise control but did enough to get the win. I was excited to see Malik Dear get involved early and to see De'Runnya Wilson be targeted more often. I still think we need to get #1 the ball more. His touchdown catch was classic "Uno Beezy". He is a match up nightmare. When we make a point to go to De'Runnya it requires the defense to double team him and this opens more opportunities up for the rest of our supporting cast.
This team is a pass first squad. It isn't what we are used to seeing as Dan Mullen likes to run the football first and foremost. It's evident that we have seen the last of the Dak Prescott who carried the ball 15+ times a game. Last year we averaged 233 rushing yards per game. This year we are averaging 144 per game. I think Dak not running and the benefit the other running backs got to enjoy due to him running, is shown in the 90 yards a game decline from last year. I think we have to rush for at least 170 yards a game by the end of the season if we want this year to turn out like we want it to. This is going to happen as some of Shumpert's carries start to be given to our other RB's.
Texas A&M's biggest weakness is protecting their QB. They are 108th in the country in sacks allowed as they have given up 12 already this season. Mississippi State is 19th in the country in sacking opponents quarterbacks with 12 to their credit. Texas A&M offsets this weakness by being great at rushing the Quarterback. Their defense has 17 sacks so far and one of the very best pass rushers in college football in Myles Garrett. Whoever can keep their QB standing will have the upper hand in this game.
Something that surprised me about Texas A&M is that they are not very good on third down. They only convert 3rd down 43% of the time which places them 41st in the country. Mississippi State has one of the very best defenses in college football on third down. Opponents only convert 22% of their third downs which places the Bulldogs 10th in the country in that department. Last week against Arkansas The Aggies only converted 2 of 9 third downs against a bad defense.
Mississippi State - 35 - Texas A&M - 29
The popular statement by all of the talking heads on TV this week has been, "I think Dak Prescott keeps Miss State in this one but they just don't have the pieces around him to win the game." I think that is a very lazy way to break this game down. The Bulldogs have some weapons at WR and on defense that if over looked will make you pay. As this season has progressed this team is slowly improving. I think last years team peaked early and it feels like this team is building toward peaking in November.
I don't think this Texas A&M team is as good as people think. Arizona State is a a bad football team and so is Arkansas. Throw in a Ball State and a Nevada and you have a pretty weak schedule so far. Ball State and Nevada put up a combined 50 points on A&M and sacked Aggie QB Kyle Allen 6 times.
The last statistic that I think sheds light as to why the Bulldogs will get the road win is that Texas A&M scores most of their points on standard downs and not passing downs. There is a statistic called IsoPPP or Isolated Points Per Play that tries to identify when a team is most explosive. Texas A&M is most explosive on standard downs as they are #8 in the country in points per play on standard downs. On passing downs they are #109. It is shocking how conservative they get on 3rd down. Mississippi State's defense is very good on standard downs in preventing points as they have allowed the 26th fewest points on standard downs. On passing downs however the Bulldogs slip to 71st in the country. Basically Texas A&M is going to have to shift from being aggressive on 1st and 2nd down to taking risks on 3rd down or when they have been backed up. When teams get out of their comfort zone and have to start being aggressive when they aren't comfortable doing so mistakes happen. I think you see the Bulldog defense step up on key downs. This will take the crowd out of it and place the momentum in the Bulldogs corner.
Safe travels to everyone going to the game. If we pull this one out the rest of the season looks promising. Here is hoping we get the ball to our play makers and prove all the lazy experts wrong.

‪#‎HailState‬

3. GAME NOTES (w/ Depth Charts): http://www.hailstate.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1158174

4. THE BPP!  with special guest Carter the dog.  http://the-back-porch-podcast.madewithopinion.com/cfb-week-5-podcast/#


TEETH,

KHH