The Egg Bowl is officially here. Happy Thanksgiving and GO TO HELL STATE! The Rebels are looking for a 10-win regular season, while the Bulldogs are looking for another ball coach. We’ll talk about the Bulldogs season thus far, give some context about this rivalry, and get back to delivering winners via the Pick 5 after yet another winning week. Let’s dive in.
It’s no secret that the Bulldogs have had a disappointing season. Last season ended in tragedy, as we all lost a legend in Mike Leach. Zach Arnett steps in, and they’ve fired him before he could even finish his first full season. The off season expectation was that they would return nearly every starter from an 8-4 team on both sides of the ball, including their 3-year starter at quarterback, Will Rodgers. Obviously, there was a coaching change, but you figured they could only get better from there, right? Not so much, not only did it not go up, it’s been bad enough to justify firing their coach just 10 games into his career. To be fair, it didn’t help that Will Rogers’ season ended due to injury during the Western Michigan game in October, but it wasn’t going great before then either. They’ve scored 29 points—not in their last game, but in their last 4 SEC games combined! Now, sitting at 5-7 and in search of a new coach, they’ve got the Rebels coming to town. While we’re a little banged up on the offensive line and those cow bells will be ringing, it’s a bad recipe for the Bullies. This rivalry can get weird, but it shouldn’t be any problem for the Rebels to finish the season strong and take the Egg Bowl trophy back to Oxford.
To explain this rivalry accurately and potentially harshly, allow me to use an analogy. If you have a little brother, you probably got into trouble for hitting him at some point in your childhood. It probably started with him attempting to make fun of your hair or your shoes. Harmless stuff. Then, when that didn’t send you over the edge, he’d poke you a little further. This time he’s throwing shots at your girlfriend, calling you names he learned in school, and bragging about a women's basketball championship from a couple of years ago. Now imagine that one day a year, on Thanksgiving, your dad takes you both out in the backyard and says, “Alright boys, get it out of your system.” For big brother, this is a fun chance to remind little brother that you’re bigger and stronger than he is and that he should keep his mouth shut. For little brother however, this is the Super Bowl. He’s been thinking about this day since last Thanksgiving. He bases his entire identity on this fight. While you’re worried about all the many facets of daily life, little brother is still talking about your shoes! He just won’t stop. It gets annoying, but your mother says, “Honey, be nice to him! He just wants you and your friends attention. He looks up to y’all and wants to be just like you one day. He talks about you all the time, and he’s a good kid, he just has some growing up to do.” You know what, maybe mom’s right. This Thanksgiving, Iet’s take a second to be thankful for little brother. He hasn’t even been talking as much smack as usual. It’s kind of sad really, but that doesn’t mean we should take it easy on him. It’s our duty as big brother to remind him that he’s not quite there yet and to keep his chin up. Let’s go do the honorable thing and give him his annual ass whooping along with a noogie sandwich and move on. It’s a beautiful thing, the battle between brothers. A tale as old as time.
SCORE PREDICTION:
I think that it's important that we get off to a good start. If they score first, those bells will only get louder. We need our offensive line to limit penatlies, give Judkins the lanes, and Dart the time. Defense should be swarming, and I believe we get a couple turnovers in this one. At the end of the day, I just don't believe the Dawgs have the horses. After a flat performance against ULM last week, and this being a rivalry I believe the Rebels will be up for the game and end up running away with it.
OLE MISS 38
MISSISSIPPI STATE 17
PICK 5: (36-15) 71%
1.) Oregon State @ Oregon -13.5
The Beavers gave a hell of an effort last week to take down Washington, now they’ve got to get off the mat and head to Eugene. Tough. The Ducks get up for this one, as they only have two more chances to impress the playoff committee. Ducks in a route.
2.) Alabama -14 @ Auburn
Auburn is still down in the dumps after getting throttled by New Mexico State last weekend. They don’t have what it takes to hang with the Tide for very long. This one gets ugly as well. RTR.
3.) Florida St. @ Florida +6.5
Florida has had an up and down season, but it could all be salvaged by a win here. They’d beat their rival, become bowl eligible, and head into next season on a positive note. Both starting quarterbacks are out, but I like what I saw out of true freshman Max Brown. The Swamp is rocking for a night game, and the Gators may win it outright, but they certainly keep it close.
4.) Clemson @ South Carolina +7.5
Another night game at Williams-Brice. Another bowl-hungry home dog. Give me the Cocks. Give me the points.
5.) Ohio State +3.5 @ Michigan
I probably should leave this game alone, but I want it. I think it goes down to the wire, and I’m going to take over a field goal. Ohio State is on the brink of losing 3 straight to Michigan, and I think they find a way to break the Wolverines hearts.
I’m thankful for so many things. I’m thankful for everyone who reads and enjoys the blogs. I’m thankful for our good fortune in the Pick 5 this season, but most of all, I’m just thankful to be a REB. It’s always a roller coaster, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Happy Thanksgiving, and GO REBS!
Comments