re: Where are MSU fans getting this confidence?

Guess I'd say 2 things to answer your question.

1. Comparing MSU "fans" to folks who post on message boards is like comparing LSU fans to posters here. It's a subset of a subset. I have MSU fans, alums, ticket holders in my extended family. What they say about MSU football and what the average "grinder" here will about their team and program is radically different.

2. Having said all that, the MSU fans I know personally have faith in Mullen, believe for the LSU game anyway, that Mullen can and will outcoach O. (They saw O up close at OM)

They also believe in Fitzgerald and what may turn out to be a very good DL gives them a fightIng chance in every game on their schedule.

They know overall talent and depth they are behind Bama, LSU etc but feel that are making up difference.

I'd say they are cautiously optimistic but certainly not overconfident or even confident about winning Saturday.