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Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen says a little bit of adversity isnt always a bad thing and tough times can make a team better.If thats the case, the Bulldogs hope the results come sooner rather than later.Theres no denying its been a rough first half of the season for Mississippi State (2-4, 1-2 Southeastern Conference), which has lost three of its last four games, including last weeks 28-21 double overtime loss at BYU.The BYU setback was undeniably frustrating -- especially since Mississippi State led for a big chunk of the evening -- but at least there was some reason for optimism. The Bulldogs were much more competitive than the week before, when they fell behind 35-0 at home before losing to Auburn 38-14.Mullen said the team played physical and hard in the BYU loss, but crucial mistakes -- including personal foul penalties and missed assignments -- are keeping the Bulldogs out of the win column.Some of the silly penalties we had overshadowed some tremendous efforts we had on the defensive side of the ball, but you see some young guys start to make plays and play a little better, Mullen said.Mississippi State appears to have a few winnable games ahead of it, starting with a road matchup against Kentucky (3-3, 2-2) on Saturday. The Bulldogs have won seven straight games in the series dating back to 2009.But Kentucky has played better of late, winning three of its last four.Mississippi State hasnt had nearly as much to celebrate lately.Mullen said he hopes the Bulldogs will do a better job in the passing game against Kentucky after an up-and-down week against BYU. Sophomore Nick Fitzgerald continued his inconsistent play, completing 17 of 36 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.One bright spot was Fitzgeralds short pass to freshman Keith Mixon, who ran 44 yards down the sideline for the Bulldogs first touchdown against BYU. Other than that, Mississippi State struggled to create big offensive plays.Mullen says hes willing to take shots downfield. Its up to his players to execute.I dont think weve decreased the number of shots we have taken down the field, Mullen said. I think weve decreased the efficiency of our shots downfield. I think we have to hit a couple of those.Mississippi States offense is working around the absence of starting running back Brandon Holloway. The senior missed the BYU game because of an ankle injury and his return for the Kentucky game is in doubt.Thats meant larger roles for others like sophomore Aeris Williams, who ran for a team-high 82 yards against BYU. Mixon, who has scored a touchdown in two straight games, and sophomore Malik Dear have also become a bigger part of the offense.Its just opportunities for someone else to take and step up, Dear said. Brandon (Holloway) is a great player and we are going to try to do what he does best and to fill his role. But Brandon can only be Brandon, Keith can only be Keith and Malik can only be Malik. So we are going to go out there and do what we can do.-----Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP . AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org . Flames Jerseys China .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. Calgary Flames Gear . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. https://www.cheapflames.com/ .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Flames Jerseys 2020 . Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. Goalie Roberto Luongo, getting the call in place of Game 1 starter Carey Price, was solid when needed in making 23 saves for the shutout. Calgary Flames Shirts . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. 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CLEVELAND -- Any other year, against any other team, the Cleveland Indians would be the sentimental choice in this years World Series.You know, because of that long championship drought and all.But not against the Chicago Cubs.The lovable Cubbies, who captured the nations heart by exorcising curses and winning their first NL pennant since 1945 on Saturday night and are aiming for their first Series title since 1908, are a popular pick.The odds makers in Las Vegas have pegged the Cubs as heavy favorites going into Game 1 on Tuesday night.Heck, even First Fan Barack Obama, a die-hard White Sox supporter, said he was happy to see the North Side of Chicago rocking.Well, all the love toward the NL champions has left the Indians as underdogs -- a role theyve embraced this October.We believe in each other, first baseman Mike Napoli said Sunday before the Indians held a workout and simulated game at Progressive Field. We believe that if we go out there and play the game the right way, play as a team like weve done, we can win a game on any night. Weve shown in the past two series we cant be taken lightly. We play as a team.Were a confident group.And that assuredness has only grown. Cleveland wasnt supposed to beat Boston, but the Indians swept Big Papi into retirement and the Red Sox into their offseason sooner than expected. Clevelands pitching staff followed that by whittling Torontos big bats down to toothpicks in the AL Championship Series.Now on deck are the Cubs, who won 103 games during the regular season, have three aces at the top of the rotation, a flame-throwing closer and seem to have a date with destiny.The Indians, though, know they can match up with anyone.Theyre a good team from top to bottom, said supreme setup man Adam Miller, who has spent the postseason toying with hitters. They have three guys that might be Cy Young (winners). Were going to be going against a good team, thats not a surprise. If you want to count us out, that works for us.Many of the Indians watched Chicagos historic win, which was followed by a street party outside Wrigley Field that nearly lasted until dawn.As it unfolded, Napoli found himself pulling for former Red Sox teammates Jon Lester, John Lackey and the Cubs. The more he thought about a Cleveland-Chicago series the more he liked it.I was rooting for them, Napoli saiid, wearing one of his popular Post Party At Napolis T-shorts.dddddddddddd I thought it would be one of the coolest World Series to be a part of.The Indians are looking to end their own 68-year title drought, and they spent the past few days resting while the Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers finished their series. The down time has allowed Cleveland to get healthier, but manager Terry Francona revealed a new injury for his team, which has spent much of the 2016 season dealing with sprains, strains and even a few stitches.Second baseman Jason Kipnis hurt his left ankle following Game 5 in Toronto.Some of the guys had a tough time getting through the celebration, said Francona, who added Corey Kluber would start Game 1 at home. He went over to embrace (shortstop) Frankie (Lindor) and he rolled his foot on Frankies foot. So hes got a low ankle sprain. The good part is its not a high ankle sprain. You hear that all the time and I never know what it means, but it doesnt sound good. Hes going to be OK.Thankfully we had some time off, which is good. Hes not moving yet like he can, but Im guessing with another 48 hours and 37,000 screaming fans, I bet hell be OK.Kipnis took grounders as head athletic trainer James Quinlan watched. Later, Kipnis didnt appear to favor his ankle while hitting against several Cleveland pitchers during the simulated game, which included crowd noise being pumped into the ballpark.Nothing could replicate Tuesdays anticipated ambience when fans in both cities will hang on every pitch, knowing that each win moves their club closer to a coveted championship.Before the first batter even steps to the plate, this World Series already has the potential to be a classic.Two Midwestern cities separated by roughly 300 miles. Two teams with heartbreak in their pasts.One team will end its lengthy title quest, while the others will linger.Napoli cant wait for it to get started.The Cubs have a lot of history. We have a lot of history, he said. The big things are the droughts. Thats why I wanted it to be us versus them because I think it will probably be the coolest thing ever to be a part of that -- going to Wrigley on the road to see that atmosphere.Thats something I live for. ' ' '