The last time I looked, Mississippi State was making a profound statement in the 2000 Southeastern Conference football race!

And that was no longer ago than last Saturday when I eyeballed the Bulldogs’ workmanlike 17-10 victory over previously-unbeaten, 15th-ranked Auburn. What then? Well, if nothing else, coach Jackie Sherrill’s Bullies have grabbed the mid-season momentum from the Tigers, who were going great guns into Saturday.

Even great Auburn running back Rudi Johnson felt the Bulldog bite – State’s defense was that good! So you have to admit that although State’s pretty well balanced, its rugged defense is carrying the team. Nothing wrong with that.

Actually, though, MSU’s offensive line that ripped Auburn’s defense was up to the task as well, because the forward wall kept plugging away even when it couldn’t help add another score after leading 17-0 at halftime. After all, there was its defense to step up, which it did. If you’re No. 20 and expect to beat No. 15, you gotta have something! Like the week before against then No. 3 Florida, for instance.

Quarterback Wayne Madkin had to be at his sharpest in leading State, but tailback Dicenzo Miller was so good as to outshine Auburn’s Johnson, so you know what an accomplishment that was. Nuff said, except that the Dogs are No. 14 in this week’s USA Today Poll, and No. 15 in the AP.

The University of Southern Mississippi ran all over South Florida 41-7 last Saturday and checked in at No. 16 in both polls this week. Looked for awhile like coach Jeff Bower’s Golden Eagles would be satisfied to ride defense to victory, but the offense heard the wake-up call and rolled up 41 points.

Ole Miss had a pretty easy time of it with Arkansas State, as expected, but the now USA Today 25th-ranked Rebels were expected to do even better, I guess. Rebel rambler Deuce McAllister of course continued to roll up numbers against the Indians, rushing for 85 yards and catching three passes for 35.

Florida bumped LSU back to reality, thrashing the Tigers 41-9, making you wonder how the Bayou Bengals could beat Tennessee one week and lose so badly the next, to anyone. LSU is last in the SEC West at 1-2, 3-3 overall. Auburn’s on top at 3-1, 5-1, State and Ole Miss are each second at 2-1, 4-1.

Last week I lucked out on every game except the Georgia-Tennessee tilt that Georgia won handily, 21-10. The Bulldogs have lost but once, to South Carolina 21-10.

This Saturday I like Auburn over Florida; Georgia over Vanderbilt; LSU over Kentucky; Ole Miss over Alabama; South Carolina over Arkansas. And USM should be able to take Tulane. That’s the way I’m picking.

HURRIED HASH: Gary &uot;Peanut&uot; Boyd was a standout basketball player in days gone by for Thomas Jefferson High. Now he and his wife Debbie, also of Natchez, own a fine restaurant north of Branson, Mo., called The Hungry Fisherman, and my wife Lorene and I feel a &uot;calling&uot; right now. And if plans hold, we will hopefully have covered the 485 miles north on U.S. 65 during the next couple of weeks for another delightful vacation &uot;up there&uot; in the pretty Ozarks

Many area sports residents go to Branson and to visit Peanut and Debbie regularly.

While &uot;stationed&uot; in Branson, many of us go to see Ferriday native Mickey Gilley’s great evening show, and even morning funnyman Jim Owen, also at Gilley’s.

My wife and I find that we can have more good, clean fun in Branson than anyplace we go. So, after next week’s column …

Glenvall Estes is a long-time sports columnist for The Natchez Democrat.