SEC cellar dwellers to meet

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Nov. 7, 2003
STARKVILLE Two teams with disappointing records will meet in Davis Wade Stadium this weekend.
The Mississippi State University Bulldogs, who are coming off back-to-back, three-win seasons, have mustered a dismal 2-6 record (1-3 Southeastern Conference), and the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, who had a coaching carousel at the start of the season land on Mike Shula, have sputtered to a 3-6 mark (1-4 SEC).
Saturday's contest, which will be televised by Jefferson-Pilot at 11:30 a.m., will most likely determine which program finishes in the cellar of the SEC West Division this season.
Despite the less-than-ideal conditions for the two teams to be meeting under late in the season, MSU head coach Jackie Sherrill said he expects another good match up between the two programs.
One of the Tide players that Sherrill and the rest of the Bulldogs coaching staff will be very mindful of in the two teams' contest is Alabama's Shaud Williams
The senior running back has rushed for a team-high 1,051 yards, and he has scored 11 touchdowns this season.
The Bulldogs will not be able to keep all of their defensive focus on Williams.
Alabama will have quarterback Brodie Croyle back in the lineup, after the sophomore signal-caller sat out the Tide's last game.
Croyle has passed for 1,539 yards this season, with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
MSU will also have to be wary of Alabama's special teams play, especially when the Bulldogs are kicking the ball.
Shula, who will be coaching his first game at MSU, said the contest will be about pride when the two squads clash at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.