STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State has been one of the most stable programs in the Southeastern Conference over the last several years, making a school-record six straight bowl games.If the Bulldogs (2-2, 1-1 SEC) want to make it seven in a row, the next four weeks could be crucial. The stretch of winnable games -- which includes Auburn, BYU, Kentucky and Samford -- starts with a home matchup against the Tigers (3-2, 1-1) on Saturday.Even with the friendly schedule, the Bulldogs probably will have to play much better in October than they did in September.Coach Dan Mullen used part of the teams bye week to try to find places where the Bulldogs can improve.His takeaway: Most of the work needs to be done between his players ears.Its execution and playing with confidence, Mullen said. There are a lot more plays out there to be made than were making. But I think a lot of that comes with confidence and experience and being out there. Games always happen a little faster for young guys.If Mississippi State cant win at least three of its four October games, its hard to imagine the program making a run at the postseason because of an extremely difficult November that includes games against Alabama, Arkansas, Texas A&M and Mississippi. All four teams are currently in the national rankings.The Bulldogs have shown reasons for both optimism and concern so far this season.Sophomore quarterback Nick Fitzgerald has had two impressive games in Mississippi States wins, including 305 yards passing and 110 yards rushing in the 47-35 victory over UMass on Sept. 24.The problem is, if Fitzgerald doesnt put up huge numbers, the Bulldogs dont win. He struggled in losses to South Alabama and LSU, getting replaced by backup Damian Williams by the end of the game.Theres no obvious answer for who can step up and help carry the offensive load -- especially when it comes to the running game.Fitzgerald leads the team with 329 yards rushing. The teams three main running backs -- Brandon Holloway, Ashton Shumpert and Aeris Williams -- have combined for 391 yards on the ground.The 5-foot-8, 165-pound Holloway is the teams speedy back while Williams and Shumpert are the power options. All of them have had good moments, but none seems capable of being a full-time option.Mullen doesnt see that as a problem.All of the backs run with a little different style, Mullen said. So even when youre running the same play, they hit it a little differently. So it does give you some different options.Then theres the defense, which looked a little shaky in giving up four passing touchdowns and 35 points to UMass.Mississippi States pass defense ranks just 11th out of 14 league teams, giving up 245.5 yards per game. Thats despite games against LSU and South Carolina, which rely heavily on the running game.Mullen hopes that the imminent return of senior cornerback Cedric Jiles (broken arm) and senior defensive lineman Will Coleman (back surgery) can help stabilize things and provide depth. Both have been out all year with injuries.Itll be good to see some veteran bodies out there, Mullen said.---Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP . AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org . Custom Baseball Jerseys . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Cheap Custom Jerseys . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. http://www.customjerseysnearme.com/custom-high-school-jerseys-216h.html .com) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to halt their longest losing streak of the season when they host the struggling New York Islanders in tonights clash at the Bell Centre. Cheap Custom Wear . Jeff Green scored 13 points and Kris Humphries 12 for the Celtics, who nearly blew an 18-point, second-half lead. Sullingers 20-20 was the first by a Celtics player since Kevin Garnetts first game in Boston in 2007. Garnett was dealt -- along with Paul Pierce -- to Brooklyn during the off-season. Discount Custom Jerseys . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. NEW YORK -- For the second time in a week during the WNBA Finals, the league acknowledged a late officiating mistake.The WNBA said the officials missed a shot clock violation in the deciding Game 5 on Thursday night in which the Los Angeles Sparks beat the defending champion Minnesota Lynx 77-76.After reviewing postgame video, we have determined that Nneka Ogwumikes shot with 1:14 remaining in regulation time should not have counted due to a shot-clock violation, and that the referees improperly failed to review the play under the instant replay rules, Renee Brown, WNBA chief of basketball operations and player relations, said in a statement Friday.Ogwumikes jumper with 3.1 seconds left, off the rebound of her blocked shot, won it for the Sparks.The league earlier this week admitted a mistake after officials missed an 8-second backcourt violation that benefited Minnesota late in Game 4 on Sunday. The Lynx scored on that possession for a four-point lead with 12.5 seconds left and won 85-79.Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was angry in her postgame news conference Thursday night about both missed calls, saying the league needed to do more than just apologize and send a memo.Its really unfortunate that players continually put themselves out there, playing and competing at a really high level. Whether it was the 8-second call in LA or the game today, doesnt matter, OK? The game today, its not fair to the players, Reeve said. Its not enough just to apologize or send out a memo that they got something wrong, OK? These players are so invested and something must be done about the officiating in this league because its not fair to these great players we have.WNBA rules state in the ffinal two minutes of a game, plays are only reviewable immediately.ddddddddddddEarlier in the game, time can elapse and plays can still be reviewed. In college basketball, officials are given more time to review calls in the final two minutes.It was reviewable at the time when she shot it, Reeve said. The referees at that point didnt think anything was wrong. They didnt understand it was the end of the clock. They didnt hear the shot clock. When they put the ball in play, the play is no longer reviewable.Arenas switched shot clocks midseason. There were some issues when they were changed about how audible the horn was when it reached zero.This wasnt the first year officiating mistakes happened in playoff games. Last season, in the Western Conference finals, the Lynx were aided by a foul with 1.5 seconds left in a tie game against Phoenix. The league acknowledged the call should never have been made.Its unfortunate were having this discussion, Reeve said. The number of people that have contacted us and said this shot was no good, its unfortunate. I mean, I dont know what happens from there. Maybe they still win. I dont know. Thats why I dont want to take anything away from LA.Lynx star Maya Moore didnt realize the controversy until asked about it in a sullen losing locker room.OK, that doesnt make me feel any better, Moore said.She said she thought she saw one of the officials signal for a review and was surprised to hear that didnt occur, the details of the final minutes lost in the haze of defeat.Well, it doesnt mean anything now, Moore said. ' ' '