MSU releases 2012 schedule with a new look

MICHAEL WARDLAW

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Mississippi State Bulldogs released their 2012 football slate featuring seven home games on Wednesday.
The Bulldogs will have the opportunity to get off to a fast start with three of their first four outings inside the friendly confines of Davis Wade Stadium.
"We're happy to announce our full 2012 schedule and excited to again have seven home games for our great fans," said MSU director of athletics Scott Stricklin. "The task of coordinating the scheduling of two additional teams was no small undertaking, and I want to thank Commissioner (Mike) Slive and his entire staff for their tireless work in putting together this schedule."
The Bulldogs open at home against Jackson State and Auburn before traveling to Troy for their first road test of the season. They will round out September with a home game against South Alabama and then return to Kentucky for the second consecutive year.
MSU then hosts Middle Tennessee and Tennessee before a murder’s row of at Alabama, Texas A&M, at LSU, Arkansas and at Ole Miss to close the season.
Despite having the schedule set for 2012, it is important to note this is just a one year trial in the eyes of the SEC.
“We blew everything up,” said former MSU athletic director Larry Templeton who serves on the committee for restructuring. “There’s three parts we’re trying to inform everybody with the schedule for each school. We had to make sure Texas A&M would be West and Missouri would be in the East. We had to determine everybody’s permanent opponent. Finally, it’s important that everybody understands that it’s a 1-year trial basis in 2012. We will reserve the right to change anything we want after this season is over. Nobody needs to read into who is playing who in 2013.”
State can set their schedule for Saturday, September 1, for the opening game of the 2012 season.