Ed Orgeron and Joe Moorhead will be opposing college football coaches Saturday afternoon when Orgeron’s No. 2 LSU Tigers challenge Moorhead’s reeling Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville.
They’ve become fast friends, with Orgeron having experienced what Moorhead endured last Saturday after MSU’s 20-10 loss to Tennessee in Knoxville.
While walking off the field with his 18-year-old daughter, Kyra, Moorhead encountered some Bulldogs fans hurling insults of the “you suck” variety. Mississippi State entered last week’s game as a touchdown favorite, but the loss added to a disappointing second season for Moorhead that includes a 56-23 pummelling at Auburn that was 49-9 early in the second half.
“You certainly know what you sign up for when you become a head coach in this conference – the good and the bad,” Moorhead said Wednesday. “You’ve got to have broad shoulders and bow your neck. More than anything, it was seeing your daughter on the field in tears.
“That’s something as a parent and as a father that tugs at your heartstrings.”
Moorhead vowed at his weekly news conference Monday that he would continue to persevere with a goal of guiding Mississippi State to a “consistent championship level.” The program’s lone Southeastern Conference title occurred in 1941, though predecessor Dan Mullen did guide the Bulldogs to No. 1 for several weeks in 2014 before concluding a 10-3 season with an Orange Bowl loss to Georgia Tech.
Orgeron’s approval rating, meanwhile, has never been higher, and he can draw from experience when hearing about what Moorhead went through last weekend. As the Ole Miss head coach from 2005 to ’07, Orgeron went 10-25 overall and 3-21 in league play.
“I don’t wish that on anybody,” Orgeron said. “I’ve had my share of those days. It’s part of college football. It comes with the pressure, and you’ve just got to block out the noise. I always feel bad for the families, because they’re part of it.
“I wish it wouldn’t happen, but it’s part of college football. He’s going to have his day. He and his daughter will have their day, because we’re living examples.”
Orgeron and Moorhead sit next to each other at SEC coaches meetings, and Moorhead certainly respected Orgeron’s comments regarding last week’s incident. Orgeron said, “There isn’t a pamphlet that tells you how to be a head coach,” and he added that lessons learned from his days in Oxford included getting the necessary people around you.
“I certainly appreciate the support from Coach O,” Moorhead said. “We’re going to grind away and work at it.”
Pasquali’s Pix
ETSU at UTC: This rivalry is so much better when both schools are fielding a team. Mocs 27, Buccaneers 24.
Florida at South Carolina: The Gamecocks finished a 5-5 decade against Georgia last weekend and can complete a 6-4 mark against the Gators. Gators 20, Gamecocks 13.
Auburn at Arkansas: The Tigers have won the past three meetings 56-3, 52-20 and 34-3, marking the first time they’ve won three straight over an SEC foe by 30-plus points. Tigers 31, Razorbacks 10.
Georgia Tech at Miami: With games remaining against Miami, Pittsburgh, Virginia, Virginia Tech, N.C. State and Georgia, the Yellow Jackets could be staring at their first 1-11 season in program history. Hurricanes 34, Yellow Jackets 9.
LSU at Mississippi State: Orgeron’s Tigers are 34-for-34 in the red zone this season with 29 touchdowns. Tigers 38, Bulldogs 13.
Missouri at Vanderbilt: Barry Odom’s Tigers lead the nation with five defensive touchdowns. Tigers 41, Commodores 16.
Kentucky at Georgia: Despite last Saturday’s upset loss to South Carolina, the Bulldogs still have yet to allow a rushing score this season. Bulldogs 34, Wildcats 7.
Tennessee at Alabama: Nick Saban has won 50 of his past 52 games inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Crimson Tide 45, Volunteers 14.
Other picks:
Texas A&M 38, Ole Miss 31
Pittsburgh 31, Syracuse 26
Ohio State 45, Northwestern 22
Clemson 49, Louisville 18
Oklahoma 52, West Virginia 9
Wisconsin 40, Illinois 7
Iowa 33, Purdue 10
N.C. State 27, Boston College 25
Oregon 26, Washington 24
Minnesota 34, Rutgers 13
North Carolina 21, Virginia Tech 16
Virginia 30, Duke 27
North Texas 35, Middle Tennessee State 28
Texas 42, Kansas 11
Penn State 23, Michigan 20
Florida State 17, Wake Forest 14
Memphis 28, Tulane 23
Last week:
Winners ……………… 19
Masons ……………….. 6
Pasquali is 142-33 overall (81.1%) this season.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSPaschall.