Nov. 23, 2005

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom is sticking by his words, and he doesn't care who is upset.

"I said it. I meant it," he said.

Two weeks ago, Croom said he doesn't think about rival Mississippi, and "we're going to beat their butt."

His comments have put a little spice into Saturday's Egg Bowl, a game between the Southeastern Conference's worst teams.

"If we play like we're capable of playing, we should win the game," Croom said. "Based on what they said after the game, they don't like us very much, either. That's the way it should be. I've got no problem with that. None whatsoever. That's the way the game's supposed to be played."

For the second straight season, Ole Miss (3-7, 1-6) and Mississippi State (2-8, 0-7) have losing records entering the Battle for the Golden Egg. The Rebels won their third straight in the series last year by beating State 20-3.

"I think coach Croom was trying to motivate his team, and if that's what works, that's fine," Rebels quarterback Ethan Flatt said. "We're just working on our own team this week, and trying to get better and trying to end the season on a positive note."

Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron has declined to directly address Croom's comments.

"While I'm the head coach here at Ole Miss, we're only going to talk about Ole Miss," he said. "We're always going to treat our opponents with respect."

Croom created a stir Nov. 7 when he told a gathering in Huntsville, Ala., "I don't ever think about Ole Miss. If our kids play as well as they can play, we're going to beat their butt."

He told reporters this week he made those comments to show confidence in his struggling Bulldogs, who have lost seven straight and 11 of 13 since November 2004.

"If I was our players and I didn't think we could win, and I didn't feel like we were going into the game to win, I wouldn't show up either if the head coach doesn't think we can win," Croom said. "You better believe I think we can win. It's important to me, and I expect our players to feel the same way."

"I don't know if that's bulletin-board material," Morgan said. "I know coach Croom, and I know whatever he said, he put a lot of thought into it. It really doesn't matter how many words are said. They're going to be ready to play, and we're going to be ready to play."