Team to get the first penalty in the game
Mississippi -115
Normally I would never play a prop like this, you might as well bet on the outcome of a coin flip. Even the fact that Miss State always leads the SEC in penalties, and this year is no exception (averaging 10 for 97 yards pg), wouldn't convince me to give my money to The Greek.
But there are special circumstances here: The SEC Cowbell Penalty.
The SEC will be banning artificial noisemakers at their football games starting this year. Referees can warn the crowd and then assess a 5-yard penalty and then 15-yard penalties for each subsequent infraction. Schools can be fined as part of this nonsense. Believe it or not, this was something that was brought before the 12 university presidents of the SEC schools and they pondered this and studied it and voted on it; these folks need more work to do. The target of this new rule making is the Mississippi State tradition of ringing cowbells.
FWIW I think the "cowbell" penalty makes this play more likely than a coin-toss.
From MSU coach Jackie Sherrill:
"The game will be very interesting because the new commissioner and Bobby Gaston will be here. It is going to be interesting to see how they interpret the new (cowbell penalty) rule. We will find out very quickly in the game what the referees will or will not do. If it makes it past the first couple of series, then he won't throw a flag. You are asking an official to do things that aren't in his job description. There is no way, if you are doing your job on the field, you can be listening (to what is happening) off the field. You can't do both jobs. I've giving the referee a pair of earplugs before the game and telling him to concentrate on the field and not in the stands. (Laugh)"
From the MSU message board:
An Unpopular Post Most Likely (Regarding Cowbells)
This post will most likely not be popular. I imagine my allegiance will be questioned. However, I am an MSU Student and as big a Bulldog fan as you'll find. That being said, I'm anxiously awaiting to see what will come of the "Cowbell Rule" on Thursday night. Despite my normal high hopes for a Bulldog victory on Thursday night, I honestly hope that the refs initiate a flag-throwing contest. I would love to see Auburn go 80 yards down the field on nothing but 15-yard "Cowbell Penalties." My reasons why are as follows:
I think the cowbell penalty is the most assinine ruling I've ever heard. It's absolutely ludicrous that you or I should have ANY bearing on the result of a football game. I view Thursday night as our chance to show the rest of the country exactly how ludicrous it is. ESPN's #1 announce crew will be in town for a NATIONALLY televised game. Imagine the reaction of the announcers as the referees walk Auburn 80 yards down the field to set up a touchdown. The criticism of the absurd ruling would be flying, and the SEC instantly becomes the laughing-stock of the sports world.
Am I telling you to intentionally get our team penalties? No, I'm not. I will bring my cowbell, but I really don't know yet how I'm going to respond. I do know for fact, that my bell will ring until the referees actually apply the 5-yard penalty. After that, I imagine crowd reaction will dictate my response. But to all who read this, Thursday night will be our best chance to make a national statement on whether or not MSU fans will accept these new rules. But I do know this, if the referees follow through with the threats, we've got a chance to lead off Sportscenter and be THE topic of sports shows across the nation.
__________________________________________________
Alcohol + students + tradition + espn nite game = cowbell penalty
I think the penalty will have to be called or the SEC looks like a joke, and that it will be called early (opening kickoff) so as to make a statement to the fans and as not to affect the outcome of the game.
Most Net Rushing Yards
Carnell Williams -24.5 over Dontae Walker -125
Cadillac Williams is the real deal: averaging 7.4 ypc including 94 vs USC and 170 vs Vandy. He only ran for 67 vs WC but after he scored 2 TDs on 20 and 42 yard runs in the 1Q he sat so others could play!!!
Auburn has a good O line while MSU weakness is their D-line. Auburn is not a great passing team so I see them running a lot. On the other hand, Auburn has a good D and are very good at stopping the run.
Walker came to training camp very overweight and has struggled so far this season, averaging just 2.6 ypc.
Check out excellent posts from Xerri, Scott4USC and others on this game for more info.
gl
- Jon
Mississippi -115
Normally I would never play a prop like this, you might as well bet on the outcome of a coin flip. Even the fact that Miss State always leads the SEC in penalties, and this year is no exception (averaging 10 for 97 yards pg), wouldn't convince me to give my money to The Greek.
But there are special circumstances here: The SEC Cowbell Penalty.
The SEC will be banning artificial noisemakers at their football games starting this year. Referees can warn the crowd and then assess a 5-yard penalty and then 15-yard penalties for each subsequent infraction. Schools can be fined as part of this nonsense. Believe it or not, this was something that was brought before the 12 university presidents of the SEC schools and they pondered this and studied it and voted on it; these folks need more work to do. The target of this new rule making is the Mississippi State tradition of ringing cowbells.
FWIW I think the "cowbell" penalty makes this play more likely than a coin-toss.
From MSU coach Jackie Sherrill:
"The game will be very interesting because the new commissioner and Bobby Gaston will be here. It is going to be interesting to see how they interpret the new (cowbell penalty) rule. We will find out very quickly in the game what the referees will or will not do. If it makes it past the first couple of series, then he won't throw a flag. You are asking an official to do things that aren't in his job description. There is no way, if you are doing your job on the field, you can be listening (to what is happening) off the field. You can't do both jobs. I've giving the referee a pair of earplugs before the game and telling him to concentrate on the field and not in the stands. (Laugh)"
From the MSU message board:
An Unpopular Post Most Likely (Regarding Cowbells)
This post will most likely not be popular. I imagine my allegiance will be questioned. However, I am an MSU Student and as big a Bulldog fan as you'll find. That being said, I'm anxiously awaiting to see what will come of the "Cowbell Rule" on Thursday night. Despite my normal high hopes for a Bulldog victory on Thursday night, I honestly hope that the refs initiate a flag-throwing contest. I would love to see Auburn go 80 yards down the field on nothing but 15-yard "Cowbell Penalties." My reasons why are as follows:
I think the cowbell penalty is the most assinine ruling I've ever heard. It's absolutely ludicrous that you or I should have ANY bearing on the result of a football game. I view Thursday night as our chance to show the rest of the country exactly how ludicrous it is. ESPN's #1 announce crew will be in town for a NATIONALLY televised game. Imagine the reaction of the announcers as the referees walk Auburn 80 yards down the field to set up a touchdown. The criticism of the absurd ruling would be flying, and the SEC instantly becomes the laughing-stock of the sports world.
Am I telling you to intentionally get our team penalties? No, I'm not. I will bring my cowbell, but I really don't know yet how I'm going to respond. I do know for fact, that my bell will ring until the referees actually apply the 5-yard penalty. After that, I imagine crowd reaction will dictate my response. But to all who read this, Thursday night will be our best chance to make a national statement on whether or not MSU fans will accept these new rules. But I do know this, if the referees follow through with the threats, we've got a chance to lead off Sportscenter and be THE topic of sports shows across the nation.
__________________________________________________
Alcohol + students + tradition + espn nite game = cowbell penalty
I think the penalty will have to be called or the SEC looks like a joke, and that it will be called early (opening kickoff) so as to make a statement to the fans and as not to affect the outcome of the game.
Most Net Rushing Yards
Carnell Williams -24.5 over Dontae Walker -125
Cadillac Williams is the real deal: averaging 7.4 ypc including 94 vs USC and 170 vs Vandy. He only ran for 67 vs WC but after he scored 2 TDs on 20 and 42 yard runs in the 1Q he sat so others could play!!!
Auburn has a good O line while MSU weakness is their D-line. Auburn is not a great passing team so I see them running a lot. On the other hand, Auburn has a good D and are very good at stopping the run.
Walker came to training camp very overweight and has struggled so far this season, averaging just 2.6 ypc.
Check out excellent posts from Xerri, Scott4USC and others on this game for more info.
gl
- Jon
Someone is pounding it hard....
