The Reflector

The Mississippi State Bulldogs won a 31-24 thriller over the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday, thanks largely to senior running back Anthony Dixon's incredible night, running for a school-record 252 yards on 33 carries, giving him yet another school record to add to his amazing resume.

It seems like every time I write one of these game observation columns, I rave about how Dixon is amazing and the most under-appreciated back in all of college football. But what else can I say now but repeat those points?

Dixon now has 1,001 yards, good enough for seventh in the FBS, and only 66 yards behind Auburn's Ben Tate, who is second. (Fresno State's Ryan Mathews is untouchable at 1316 yards.)

Dixon's postgame interview with SEC Network says it all. He mentioned how it was his goal to lead the Bulldogs back to a bowl game after missing one last year.

"I wanna go out with a bang," Dixon told reporter Jen Hildreth in the televised interview. "Last year it was just depressing to go out like that, to be at home watching the people on TV, knowing that we were one of the better teams. I'm just grinding for my team, for my state. I'm just trying to do what I can."

Bowl chances

The Bulldogs now sit on a 4-5 record going into the last three games. After an off week next Saturday, the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide will roll into Starkville on Nov. 14. The Bulldogs need two more wins to be eligible for a bowl game, so if the Bulldogs are unable to top the Crimson Tide, they will have to beat both Arkansas in Little Rock on Nov. 21 and Ole Miss in Starkville on Nov. 28.

One delicious hypothetical scenario has presented itself: Ole Miss cannot count two FCS wins toward bowl eligibility, so beating Northern Arizona won't matter. If the Rebels lose to both Tennessee and LSU (seems like a real possibility), they will have to win the Egg Bowl to reach a bowl. If the Bulldogs can split the next two games, they too will have to win the Egg Bowl to reach a bowl.

If both teams go into the Egg Bowl needing one win for a bowl, expect the atmosphere we saw at the Florida game to double.

Atmosphere

Speaking of atmosphere, maybe I'm just spoiled by the suddenly rocking atmosphere we've this year at Davis Wade Stadium, but the atmosphere at Commonwealth Stadium was pathetic. In fact, it's been that way in each of the three trips I've made there.

The stadium was just bizarrely quiet at times. Sure, the crowd would get pumped on a Bulldog third down, but overall, it is the weakest stadium atmosphere I've seen in the SEC, including Vanderbilt. I guess it's true Kentucky fans only care about basketball up there.

Kickoffs

I think both Sean Brauchle and Derek DePasquale have been solid on field goals, but our kickoff coverage has been a disappointment this year. Kentucky's average kickoff return came to the 38.5 (comparatively, MSU's average kickoff return reached the 24.5).

With the Alabama showdown with and the nation's top kick returner Javier Arenas looming, I almost think the Bulldogs should pooch kick every kickoff against the Tide. Or maybe even just kick it out of bounds - if Kentucky's Randall Cobb can reach the 38.5 on an average kickoff, so can Arenas. So why not just let the Tide have the 40 every time and guarantee no chance of Arenas running one back?

Passing game

Tyson Lee had a slow start Saturday, throwing an interception on fourth and- goal in the second quarter and another on his next attempt.

Mullen inserted Chris Relf into the game for one drive. Relf used this opportunity to break out consecutive 6- and 53-yard runs to set up a short Dixon touchdown.

After that, Lee was a completely different quarterback. I was pleasantly surprised when he hit O'Neal Wilder for a 67-yard bomb in the third quarter.

That's exactly what I've thought we should use Wilder for ever since we signed him - stretching out the defense vertically. The guy's a track champion, and if opposing defenses know we have the capability to throw long bombs to him, they will have no choice but to stretch out more and open up the field for shorter passes. And remember, Wilder's still just a freshman, so he still has plenty of years left to burn defenses.

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