re: How many football games does Mississippi State win in 2013?

Ole Miss and State both benefited from a down Arkansas and Auburn. Had both remained at 2009-2011 levels, Ole Miss would have gone into the Egg Bowl 3-8 with a 21-game SEC losing streak. Who knows how the game changes then?

Of course, State could also have lost to a good Arkansas and Auburn, and be 6-5 going into the Egg Bowl. But even with an Egg Bowl loss, we'd still be bowling. Grumbling a little, but bowling.

SO, Auburn and Arkansas still good: Ole Miss maybe wins the Egg, breaks the 21-game SEC losing streak to finish 4-8, and State finishes 6-6 and goes to the Compass Bowl.

Is Freeze still a genius? Sounds like Mullen would be looked at about the same as his is now.

We both benefited from a down Auburn and Arkansas, but Ole Miss is claiming much more momentum from it than State, as those 2 additional wins seem like so much more coming from a 2-10 team.

State, on the other hand, isn't getting any more credit for beating a down Auburn and Arkansas and being 8-4 than he would for losing to a good Auburn and Arkansas and being 6-6.