Mississippi State vs Tulsa. The 10 ten things you need to know about the MSU 28-26 win over Tulsa in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Mississippi State vs Tulsa: Armed Forces Bowl
10. It’s totally not fair, and it’s totally not right, but …
The second-best team in the American Athletic Conference lost to the 10thish best team in the SEC. In terms of national perception, baked-in biases, and being given the benefit of the double by the College Football Playoff committee, this was one of those games that will be referred to and brought up every time there’s a Power Five vs. Group of Five debate.
No pressure, but it would be huge deal if Cincinnati could rock Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
9. The good game will be remembered now for that fight
Of course there’s no place for that ugly, ugly brawl after the game.
That was as bad and as brutal a fight as you’ll see in a football fight as the two teams went at it after the post-game handshakes.
It’ll all come out later what really happened, but that can’t happen ever no matter how high emotions run. There were punches, there was kicking, there was more to this fight that goes beyond the every-once-in-a-while shoving matches.
A massive brawl broke out at the end of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl between Tulsa and Mississippi State. pic.twitter.com/zfaq912SWU
— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2020
8. It was an entertaining game, but …
Between the fight, the lousy weather – a nice mix of rain and sleet and snow – the 18 combined penalties, the lack of a steady Mississippi State offense – this wasn’t the prettiest of bowl games. However, it was the first bowl win for the program since taking down the 2017 TaxSlayer, and it was Mike Leach’s second bowl win in the lsat five games and third since 2007.
Yeah, it wasn’t anything aesthetically pleasing, but any bowl game you can win is a good one.
7. Will Rogers keeps on building, but …
He’ll have to be sharper to earn the Mississippi State starting quarterback job next year. It was a promising true freshman season, and he didn’t make any big mistakes against Tulsa to go along with a rushing touchdown, but he didn’t hit any big downfield throws in the bad weather.
There was just enough of a running game to take over at times – the 123 yards marked the second straight 100-yard rushing day – but for the Mike Leach offense to shine, the quarterback and passing game have to be great.
NEXT: Top Six Thoughts From The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
6. Tulsa’s passing game kept things fun
Zach Smith two big picks – including the massive interception for a touchdown – but he threw for 347 yards and a touchdown and got big days out of Keylon Stokes and JuanCarlos Santana. The two receivers combined for 13 catches for 229 yards for a passing game that was far, far better than Mississippi State’s. And …
5. The Mississippi State offense still didn’t really work
It blew up on LSU to start the season and had a few big games, but it also failed to hit 300 yards five times in ten games. Make that six in 11, gaining just 271 yards while struggling to do much to move the chains. The Bulldogs were outgained by 213 yards, struggled on third downs, and still won because …
"Gimme that" – @Tyrus_Wheat18
📺: @espn | #HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/ds5rHNxEQ7
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) December 31, 2020
4. The defense and return game came through in a big, big way
Not to hammer on this, but the SEC-caliber talent was able to shine through in the other phases. Lideatrick Griffin averaged 34.5 yards per kickoff return, Emmanuel Forbes came up with a wild 90-yard pick six, and overall the team bent but didn’t break enough. Tulsa was often times the most physical team offensively, and the defense was strong, but …
NEXT: Top Three Thoughts From The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
3. Not having Zaven Collins really mattered
It gets overblown when it comes to how much the loss of one guy means, but not having – arguably – the best defensive player in college football was a huge deal to the Tulsa defense that still almost got the job done.
The Golden Hurricane D was excellent overall, but it didn’t generate any takeaways for the first time all year. That’s where the Bronko Nagurski Award winner probably would’ve made a difference.
2. Tulsa’s season was still amazing
Tulsa went 4-8 last season after going 3-9 in 2018 and 2-10 in 2017. It’s possible to win at Tulsa – there were two double-digit win campaigns since 2012 – but it’s been hard to maintain any consistency. It was a thrilling, strong year that almost ended with an American Athletic Conference championship and almost ended with a bowl win.
It’s no consolation to lose close games, but it battled hard in losses to Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, and Mississippi State, losing all three by a total of 14 points.
1. Mississippi State closed out with two wins
Don’t look too much further into this than you need to. It was a bad year for the Bulldogs, the offense didn’t work, and there’s a whole lot more to do under Mike Leach, but after starting the season 2-7, the Bulldogs got the O going in a 19-point win against Missouri followed up by a bowl win.
The narrative will be about the brawl, but football-wise, now the program has something positive to build on.
