Is 2017 "Next Year" for the 'Dogs?

ANOTHER "ALMOST" SEASON:  THE YEAR IN REVIEW Let's review:  We began this blog before the first game of 2017 asking whether it would be the "next year" that faithful Mississippi State fans seemingly have eternally waited for.  The answer, we now know, is no, but it was close ... not as close as the Dak-inspired 2014 season when we reigned as #1 in the country for 5 weeks before faltering, but close.  Expectations to begin the season were wide-ranging, depending on whether one has a pro or con Bulldog bias.  The jackasses who perenially look down their noses at State picked us to finish last in the West at something like 2-10 and 0-fer in the conference.  The most optimistic of Maroon & White followers guessed (and hoped) for something like 8-4, perhaps being crazy, even 9-3, but those were considered "certifiable."  Most thought going 6-6 and keeping the bowl streak alive was doable ... with a little luck.  We knew that we had Nick back, ...

THE CARDSLAYER BOWL What a finish ... both to the game and to the season!  Like all but the State fans with Coke bottle-thickness maroon lenses, I gave us little chance to win the TaxSlayer nee' Gator Bowl, especially when it became apparent that those hopeful rumors that Lamar Jackson might skip the game and declare for the NFL Draft proved to be mere wishful fantasies.  I mean ... just think about it: We had lost our last game to a mediocre opponent ... our archrival to boot.  The loss not only hurt our pride; it cost us a bid to the Citrus Bowl and returned us to the Gator Bowl for the 3rd time in 8 years.  We had to be down.  Right?? Our head coach and many of our assistants had jilted us and would neither help prepare the team for the game nor coach them during the game. We had basically "Kelly boy" temp coaches, most of whom knew they were coaching their last game at MSU.  Why would they care?  The head coach had never been a head coac...