Hope

I let them do it again. I let them pull me in. I was kicking and screaming, but I let 'em do it.

I started to believe in this rag-tag group of characters. Not really, really believe, mind you, but believe nonetheless.

They fought gallantly against Georgia, they were two plays from tied in the first half against LSU. And then it happened, the floodgates opened, and it was once again 2004. The third quarter was a train wreck the likes of which I had hoped I would never have to witness again. The defense appeared to quit, missing tackles and committing infraction after infraction and then the coaching staff followed.

Who can blame them really? LSU was whipping the Dogs on both sides of the ball and the only talent on offense was out with a concussion. The game wasn't fair; it was like watching the old JV-Varsity scrimmage in high school.

We all knew the offense was struggling mightily, but we believed in the defense. But apparently some time during the past week, they all forgot how to tackle.

It's not going to get any easier this week. A team I thought was really good, Florida, laid an egg in Tuscaloosa. They'll be ready to beat on somebody this weekend, as if they need more motivation after getting their coach "Croomed" last year in Starkville.

Looking at the schedule before the season, most fans marked these three games as losses. Croom had better be working not to let these three games end any positive momentum the team had built, because there are some winnable games left on the schedule. And Croom better find a way to get his team to win those, because the only thing that will get talent on campus is some proof that this coaching staff can win.

Hope. It's a precious thing. And unfortunately it's gone, again.

(Photo is courtesy of Joe Ellis and The Clarion-Ledger.)