Mississippi State and LSU tangle this Saturday and, oh, what strange things can happen when the Bulldogs and Tigers tangle! Some of the greatest college football games I’ve seen have unfolded before my eyes in Tiger Stadium.

State can’t play catchup that well except on occasion, but don’t think just because Houston put more points on the Bulldogs than they could handle that the Maroons are through. Not by a long shot.

Not long after the opening kickoff (well, eight minutes after), State mistakes added up to three Houston TDs. It was a lead the Bulldogs just couldn’t overcome. And State left the field 0-3 on the year. At least less than 30,000 fans saw inept State. So much of the time the team that makes the most mistakes loses. Simple. Again, most of the time anyway.

I mentioned State and LSU clash Saturday, and fans all over perk up when State or Ole Miss play the Tigers. So, there, you have your game for this Saturday anyway.

Let’s see &045; is that Nebraska scheduled to tangle with the USM Southerners? Yep, but let’s get our wires straight. Here it is:

The game is Nebraska all right enough, but it’s TONIGHT! That’s right, a Thursday night encounter on the campus of USM. Many teams don’t like to visit USM because they think &8220;little&8221; when stadium is thought of. But the Southerners play to good crowds more often than many think.

USM has six home games this fall, including Memphis that they already played and won.

The USM-Nebraska game has a 6:30 p.m. kickoff today, don’t forget. And by the way (gosh, I nearly forgot), the game will be televised by ESPN. Something tells me it’s gonna be a real contest. Check it out. I sure will.

Mississippi State needs to jumpstart its catch-up game. I guess, though, it’s too much to ask just about any team to come from 21 points behind and win. The Bullies did come from 21 behind to make it 42-35. The Bulldogs are struggling so far, there’s no doubt about it. But they are good enough to hang tough. The other teams are managing to get that quick start, that’s all.

David Cutcliffe, Ole Miss’ head football coach, was born David Nelson Cutcliffe Sept. 16, 1954, in Birmingham. Not all that important, but someone asked, and responding IS important. The Ole Miss coach is married to the former Karen Oran of Harriman, Tenn. Being around coaches is a great experience &045; if you don’t believe it, try writing here at The Democrat a bunch of years.

&8220;You mentioned Fred Foster the other day,&8221; someone said to me. Yep, and I can converse on THAT subject most anytime. First off, I was impressed by Fred when he jumped right out of high school (NHS) and starred in the men’s 1949 softball league. I know &045; I mentioned that lately, but good athletes like Fred Foster have motivated me to write sports and a sports column for The Democrat.

It has always been fun, and I’m not through having fun yet. You’ve guessed, of course, that I have a very special place in my heart for The Natchez Democrat.

Glenvall Estes is a longtime columnist for The Natchez Democrat.