For the record . . .

According to Darius “Tig” Barksdale, Mississippi State has not offered him a scholarship as of today. However, he and members of the coaching staff have talked and there appears to be interest on both sides, particularly on his. Of course, the NCAA won’t allow me to quote any coaches on this matter.

The South Panola standout, who said he wants to play running back, noted the only schools that have currently offered him a scholarship are Ole Miss, Missouri and Southern Miss.

My apologies for not making that more clear this morning. Around 5 p.m. today, he and I talked and he said he’s really impressed with all that Mississippi State accomplished this past year.

I have a strong, strong feeling this is going down to the wire, like the Robert Elliott saga.

Gordon tabbed SEC player of the week

After 24 points in back-to-back games against Kentucky and Alabama, junior guard Jamont Gordon was named the SEC’s player of the week.

He leads the Bulldogs in scoring with a 17.8 clip and is sixth in the SEC.

In other news from Monday’s SEC teleconference . . .
• Rick Stansbury said Ben Hansbrough’s broken finger on his left hand got “whack” again, but that he should be able to play on Saturday against Ole Miss. As for his effectiveness, Stansbury said he’ll just have to wait and see how he does early on.
• Ole Miss assistant Michael White said the MSU-Ole Miss game is more of a rivalry in the eyes of the fans than those of the coaches. “I don’t know if State is as any more excited for our staff than some of the other teams we play,” he said. He also said when Charles Rhodes brings his A-game, he’s one of the best post players in the SEC. White also thinks MSU has the best defense in the league.
• Stansbury also said one of the reasons Gordon is playing so much better is that he’s now more comfortable with all of his teammates, especially the newer ones.
• The Bulldogs aren’t ranked, but they did get some love in both polls.

Barksdale a Bulldog?

Could South Panola’s Darius “Tig” Barksdale be a Bulldog? Possibly.

The standout running back, who many are projecting to be a safety, just told the Daily Journal he likes everything about Mississippi State, but that he’s “still a verbal commitment” to Ole Miss.

“I just like them both,” he said.

He also noted there is no timetable on making a definitive decision. And remember, Biggersville’s Montario Patterson is the only running back committed to MSU.

Barksdale is scheduled to take his ACT in February.

It’s going to be an interesting couple of weeks until signing day on Feb. 6.

Whoda thunk it?

Patriots and Giants in the Super Bowl?

OK. Raise your hand if you predicted that four weeks ago. Hmmm. I don’t see any hands.

I’ll have to pull for New York in this one. Just can’t pull for the Pats. You know, that Colts thing. Plus, I covered Eli for two years and had no problem with him. Well, except that he was a terrible interview. But it looks as if he’s come a long ways.

The next blog today will be about the basketball polls and some things I’m working on for this week.