The Book 2008 Football

[GoGold]

_ I am curious because of the discussion in another thread about "rivalries" and what defines them and so on. It seems based on what really defines rivalries that So.Ms. is in a difficult spot from a geographical standpoint. So, who by the typical standards, is their "rival"? If they want to claim Ole Miss and Miss St. then so be it but I doubt that is the view as well of the fans of those programs. _

First of all, its hard to have a rivalry with teams you don't play. Ole Myth and MisStake stomped us for years, but when we started beating them more often than not (we own the series against State and took 5 of the last 7 against Ole Miss), they took their ball and went home.

While we lack a "heated" rival like Louisville (last baseball game here with UofL ended in a brawl after we came back to win in the ninth) or TCU of the past, I would say Memphis. Its known as the Black and Blue game. While we own the series by a large margin, Memphis has picked up the wins lately, beating us twice at home. After one of those wins we found our bronze Eagle at the Rock painted Tiger Blue Sunday morning. They beat us last year at the Rock with a QB from Hattiesburg High, so the heat is picking up.

Some will say East Carolina, but IMO too much respect among the programs for it to become heated. But with ECU taking it to the next level as far as budget, fan support and fund raising, that may change. Others will say its the Battle for the Bell with Tulane, but for me, the series is too one sided and with them now being in the West, playing them only 2 of 4 years, the game has lost some luster. I'll throw in Houston too. Again while the series is lopsided in our favor, with a Championship on the line, the Coogs always get the best of us.

[DestinCajun]

First of all, its hard to have a rivalry with teams you don't play. Ole Myth and MisStake stomped us for years, but when we started beating them more often than not (we own the series against State and took 5 of the last 7 against Ole Miss), they took their ball and went home.

While we lack a "heated" rival like Louisville (last baseball game here with UofL ended in a brawl after we came back to win in the ninth) or TCU of the past, I would say Memphis. Its known as the Black and Blue game. While we own the series by a large margin, Memphis has picked up the wins lately, beating us twice at home. After one of those wins we found our bronze Eagle at the Rock painted Tiger Blue Sunday morning. They beat us last year at the Rock with a QB from Hattiesburg High, so the heat is picking up.

Some will say East Carolina, but IMO too much respect among the programs for it to become heated. But with ECU taking it to the next level as far as budget, fan support and fund raising, that may change. Others will say its the Battle for the Bell with Tulane, but for me, the series is too one sided and with them now being in the West, playing them only 2 of 4 years, the game has lost some luster. I'll throw in Houston too. Again while the series is lopsided in our favor, with a Championship on the line, the Coogs always get the best of us.

Off the subject but it'll be interesting to see what the So. Alabama football program does to So Miss@Hattiesburg in terms of recruiting in the future. You've done quite well recruiting in the space between Mobile and the New Orleans/Florida Parishes area. Maybe between a more successful UL program and a USA program we can pinch you a bit at both ends.

[Cajunsmike]

Good interview. However, he just seems to always hope for the best and we'll see what happens. He apparently got an extension to 2011 (I'm not sure why), so we are not likely to buy him out with 3 years to go on his contract. He is already talking about how young we are again this year. I wish Bustle was a little more positive and inspiring. We as fans need to hear that. I want to see this team come out with an attitude like they did vs. UH a couple of years ago. For some reason, we lost our swagger after that game when we lost HC to MTSU. We need to regain it vs. USM. It seems to me that the attitude of the coach(s) will help dictate that.

Article was incorrect about the timing of the extension. It did not occur last year but earlier. I believe that occurred after the 2005 Sun Belt co title. His original contract called for an extension with a conference championship. There were no qualifiers about co titles in it.

[UL_Cajuns]

If we don't make a bowl game this year everyone will be calling for bustle to go. If we have to keep him around because of the contract there will be no more fan support. Hopefully we make a bowl and everything will be ok for Bustle and UL Football.

[Corvette Eagle]

Don't count on it. We will continue to build on the progress we have already made in recruiting. The talent level at Southern Miss will continue to rise.

[zephyr]

_ USM isn't BCS, but we do have 14 straight winning seasons and 10 bowl games in the last 11 years. The scores in the last five games against UL

USM 48 ULL 3
USM 35 ULL 10
USM 48 ULL 0
USM 55 ULL 0
USM 52 ULL 27

As for USM vs. the Sun Belt, USM is 10-0 in the last ten games played against Sun Belt teams.

Don't think that Fedora inherited no talent. This USM team is lacking depth, not talent at starting positions.

So no, we aren't BCS and we do have a new head coach, but your team got whipped by McNeese State last year. I think this will be a close game and I will be happy with a one point win, but history does say that UL is in for a tough night this coming Saturday. Of course history is yesterday's news. We shall soon see how this year's game turns out and if history repeats itself or not. _

It's exactly that. History. You are also talking about records in the past as well. What's funny is that you brag about these records and bowl wins but you run off the coach that got you there. This is a different year. These are different teams. At first, I was in tune with the spread thinking that it could be a 34-20 type of game in favor of the eagles. However, after watching summer and fall camp and seeing several scrimmages, I'm thinking its going to be closer than that, if not even in favor of the cajuns. As we all know, only time wil tell. It should be fun. But you and the rest of Eagle nation should should know that if you're expecting a blowout, you're crazy.

[SpreadEagle]

But you and the rest of Eagle nation should should know that if you're expecting a blowout, you're crazy.

Maybe you missed the line in my post where I said I think it will be a close game. Out of curiosity, why wasn't the McNeese game last year close?

[CajunPride]

I 'll be there in red.

[Zeebart21]

_ Maybe you missed the line in my post where I said I think it will be a close game. Out of curiosity, why wasn't the McNeese game last year close? _

I don't know, why?

[Just1More]

Out of curiosity, why wasn't the McNeese game last year close? _

It was a home game... we didn't respect them... we consider them to be in a lesser league than us... we were overconfident... we forgot that they have talented, gutsy football players too... and we got burned for it. Probably sounds a lot like the talk around Hattiesburg this week.

I'm fired up about the game with USM. I think it will be a good one. There's nothing wrong with you putting the history lesson on us... it just won't mean a thing come this Saturday.

[SpreadEagle]

It was a home game... we didn't respect them... we consider them to be in a lesser league than us... we were overconfident... we forgot that they have talented, gutsy football players too... and we got burned for it. Probably sounds a lot like the talk around Hattiesburg this week.

I'm fired up about the game with USM. I think it will be a good one. There's nothing wrong with you putting the history lesson on us... it just won't mean a thing come this Saturday.

Most of the talk I have heard is that while everyone is excited to see our new offense,new defense, the new stadium additions and our new coaches, most are concerned with UL and about the game. True that USM has dominated UL in recent games, but this is the first game in a new era at USM, so most are justified in their concerns. You must admit, your team coming off a 3-9 season that included getting whipped by a 1AA team does give some USM fans a feeling of comfort. New season though, so like I have said, we shall soon see if history repeats itself or not this coming Saturday night.

[ULvictory]

.....fans do you guys think will be in red come this Saturday in Hattiesburg? After reading about the band, 4 Alumni buses going, student buses going, along with the people driving down there like myself, it sounds like we can easily have 2500-3000 fans there.