Sylvester Croom has seen plenty of improvement at Missisippi State this summer.

The Bulldogs are tackling better, running better and generally playing better than at any point in the coach’s first three years in Starkville. It all has Croom hoping this is the year his program finally turns the corner after three straight three-win seasons.

‘It’s our players, our attitude, the way we go about things that’s different. There’s more pride in wearing that maroon jersey and I feel more connected to the university than I ever have before,’ Croom said. ‘We at last feel like we can compete every week now. In the past, we were just trying to build a foundation.’

The early-season optimism, as well as the foundation Croom spoke of, may be shaken tonight.

Mississippi State hosts second-ranked LSU in the season-opener for both teams, as well as the Southeastern Conference and Division I-A football as a whole. It’s the first time since 1967 that State has opened the season against a top-10 team,

‘It’s LSU. It’s a good football team. It’s a conference game, and that just adds to it because you want to put yourself in position to win a conference championship and have a good season,’ Croom said. ‘The main thing is, we’re playing a very good football team. All the other stuff is just ramifications from that.’

Indeed, LSU and Mississippi State are two vastly different programs in terms of their place on the college football ladder. With the bulk of a strong defense back, along with its preseason ranking and a favorable schedule, LSU is a favorite to contend for not only the SEC championship but a national title as well. If the Tigers have a weakness, it’s on the offensive side of the ball. Senior quarterback Matt Flynn is in his first season as a starter and the running back situation is unsettled.

For Mississippi State, a winning season and reaching a bottom-tier bowl game would be beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. The Bulldogs have several returning starters on offense ‘including quarterback Michael Henig, leading rusher Anthony Dixon and leading receiver Tony Burks ‘but lost six defensive starters.

‘They’re certainly the best team we face. It’s not even close,’ Croom said. It’s going to be a great challenge, but like any great challenge it’s a great opportunity.’

An opportunity, but also a mismatch that has played out like one over the years.

LSU comes into the game as an 18-point favorite, a line many experts believe is low. LSU has won seven straight and 14 of 15 against Mississippi State, and the teams haven’t played a close game since LSU’s 45-38 overtime win in Baton Rouge in 2000. LSU has won the last six meetings by an average of 34.5 points. State has scored a total of 43 points against the Tigers in that span ‘just five more than in the 2000 game, and barely more than LSU has scored in any of those games. LSU’s lowest point total against MSU since 2000 was a 31-13 victory in 2002.

Despite LSU’s dominance of the series, LSU coach Les Miles tried to play up the Bulldogs’ abilities.

‘Coach Croom has done a great job. He is always prepared. In the season opener a year ago against South Carolina his team played very hard. We understand a team coached by Coach Croom will be prepared and ready to play. We also understand that the environment we walk in to Thursday night will be loud and noisy,’ Miles said at his weekly press luncheon on Monday. ‘The good news is we bring a veteran team with us. Guys that understand what it is like to play on the road in a loud stadium. We don’t need to play with anybody’s expectations but ours. We expect that we will play with focus and toughness.’