Bleeders of maroon and white are converging on the BrookhavenCountry Club today. Following an 18-hole, afternoon golf scramble,the Mississippi State faithful will gather for an alumni dinner inthe clubhouse ballroom. It begins at 6:30 p.m.

Obviously, the main subject of business will be ball, startingwith football, basketball and baseball. MSU football hero RockeyFelker, now the coordinator of football operations, will provide anupdate on the team’s progress.

Also on the agenda are MSU women’s basketball coach SharonFanning and assistant men’s basketball coach Robert Kirby. Bulldogbasketball has enjoyed a high level of success, under the directionof Fanning and men’s head coach Rick Stansbury.

Certainly, the football team needs more outstanding players tosurvive in the powerful Southeastern Conference. Sylvester Croom’sBulldogs have struggled to a 2-4 record and are 0-4 in the SEC.

For sure, it’s a lean football year in the Magnolia State. OleMiss has stumbled to a 2-3 mark and stands 0-2 in the SEC, so theRebels sure can’t gloat on their accomplishments.

Southern Miss was a bowl candidate but the Golden Eaglesabsorbed a thrashing from Conference USA newcomer Tulsa lastSaturday in Hattiesburg. Yes, it was ugly. The Golden Eagles needto win the rest and hope for the best.

Jackson State is close to becoming the SWAC doormat again.Millsaps, Belhaven, Alcorn State, Valley State and MississippiCollege are fighting for survival. Delta State has had more downsthan ups.

Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla, B.S., was checking the pollen countbetween sneezes when he dropped off his list of (sniff)predictions. He was a perfect 13-for-13 until Saturday when hemissed 5 of 15, posting an overall 23-5-0 worksheet.

Hoopla’s forecast begins with a Thursday night, communitycollege special.

Co-Lin at Hinds: Eagles got off to a slow startbut they appear ready to fly. Hinds 25-14.

Terry at Brookhaven: A large, partisan crowdwatches the Panthers pull off a major upset. Brookhaven 28-27.

Centreville Academy at Brookhaven Academy:Cougars manage to snap a 2-game losing streak. Brookhaven Academy14-13.

Bogue Chitto at Dexter: Bulldogs have too muchzip in their step. Dexter 31-21.

Natchez Cathedral at Enterprise: The FightingYellow Jackets author a third consecutive victory. Enterprise25-22.

Loyd Star at St. Andrew’s: Hornets overcome abig letdown and sink the Saints. Loyd Star 21-14.

West Lincoln at Salem: Due to hurricane damage,this game moves to Tylertown where the Wildcats air it out. Salem39-19.

Wesson at Amite County: Cobras overcome a toughroad foe in Liberty. Wesson 26-18.

Lawrence County at Columbia: Cougars reboundwith a road victory over the Wildcats. Lawrence County 27-12.

Franklin County at North Pike: Fresh from alopsided victory, the Bulldogs encounter stronger competition inSummit. Franklin County 29-16.

In other area games, Parklane should nipHillcrest 28-26, Copiah Academy should clip Silliman 17-12, VelmaJackson should crush Crystal Springs 36-6, Hazlehurst should humbleRichland 42-8 and Prentiss Christian School should punish UnionAcademy 43-12.

After draining a Diet Dr. Pepper, Hoopla reveals Saturday’swinners.

Southwest at Pearl River: The Bears won anovertime thriller at Gulf Coast last Saturday. This time they bowto the defending national champions. Pearl River 42-22.

Alabama at Ole Miss: Freshman running backJimmy Johns scores his first collegiate touchdown against theRebels as the Crimson Tide runs wild. Alabama 42-9.

Central Florida at Southern Miss: Golden Eaglesendured a rough week of practice and reap the dividends. SouthernMiss 30-20.

In other Magnolia State action, Southern U.ambushes Jackson State 28-12 on the bayou; Valley State over PaulQuinn 35-10; Texas Southern over Alcorn State 38-28; Delta Stateover Central Arkansas 31-14; Bethel over Belhaven 30-21; Millsapsover Rose-Hulman 14-7 and Austin College over Mississippi College20-10. Mississippi State has an open date to heal its wounded.

In the SEC, Auburn over Arkansas 30-17, LSUover Florida 22-21, and Georgia over Vanderbilt 42-14. SouthCarolina, Kentucky and Tennessee have open dates to promote theirbasketball programs.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com