Missouri Gives Mississippi Hope

[Deltamud77]

Gratuitous gig at State and Ole Miss first....

It has been approximately 50 years since Ole Miss has won the SEC and they have never played in the SEC Championship game. It has been 15 years since State played the in SECCG and that was in a year in which Alabama, Auburn and State were all down. Missouri has been in the SEC all of two years and they have already won their division and are playing in the SECCG....and they are a Big 12 school...and a small school at that....and they may even sneak into the BCSCG...


Gigging complete...moving on to the Hope part of things...

Missouri is a school in a state that does not produce top flight athletes in great numbers. Therefore they must recruit the Republic of Texas against teams like UT, aTm, OU and the like just to get decent players. They are not a football school. They do not have a giant recruiting budget. They don't have a giant stadium. Columbia, MO is in the middle of nowhere.

All of that said, none of that prevented them from an 11-1 season in the SEC and a shot at the championship. Why is the good for Ole Miss and State? Well, obviously it shows that even the limitations that those respective fans place on their programs can be overcome.

Bottomline, Missouri has an outside shot at playing in the BCSCG this year. If they can do it, there is quite literally no reason that either Ole Miss or State could not make a similar run in the very near future. In fact, one could argue that due to tradition, money, recruiting resources, etc., that it may be easier for Ole Miss or State to get to the SECCG or BCSCG than it has been for Missouri.

Point being, don't put a ceiling on potential for success. Missouri has shown that any SEC team can get it done with a little luck.

[dukluk]

That statement might be somewhat more convincing, if Mizzou had a bit tougher schedule.

We will see what they are made of this weekend.

[Deltamud77]

I think Missouri will beat Auburn for a number of reasons...one being the mental gymnastics it will take for Auburn to get prepared for Missouri after such a rollercoaster of emotion in the last three weeks.

[webbmaster]

Mizzou also reeled off 8 straight games against SEC teams to end season.

One shanked FG in OT with the backup QB.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

Not trying to nitpick, but how is it that "State" was "down" during the season the Dogs played in the SEC Title game? And why try to diminish MSU's accomplishment by saying that other teams were "down". Usually, success comes at the expense of others. And winning and losing are often a very fine line ---- as Auburn's miraculous season so far proves. Auburn could easily have 2 or more additional losses --- yet, they would still be the same team. Had Alabama won the Iron Bowl, and thus playing in the SEC Championship game, would we diminish that by saying "Auburn" and "LSU" were "down". The quoted article is a fine example of deciding upon a desired ending, and working backwards with twisted logic to get there.

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Yes, all Ole Miss fans are well aware of these facts and the shortcomings of our football program. Yet, despite all of that, I enjoy being an Ole Miss Rebel alum, supporter, and fan. I grew up a Rebel, living just 5 miles away from the home of Archie Manning. I've witnessed and enjoyed good times and suffered through bad times. My Rebels don't have to win a mythical football national championship, or an SEC title for me to enjoy Rebel football. If we have a disappointing season, I don't feel the urge to shoot anyone for not feeling remorseful enough, nor the urge to throw a brick through the head coach's window, nor angry enough to poison fabled trees on a rival's campus, nor tea-bag passed out opposing fans, etc. etc. And I get to enjoy the full experience of college football gamedays on the beautiful Ole Miss campus, including tailgating in the Grove enjoying family and friends and a usually exciting and cozy atmosphere in VHS. Our fans, for the most part, are loyal, well behaved, and well dressed --- we don't dress or act like carnies or participants in a Mardi Gras parade, nor smell like corndogs, nor look like we just stepped out onto the street from a clothing sale at Wal-Mart. There is a level of character, dignity and enjoyment of being an Ole Miss alum, supporter and fan that has nothing to do with winning titles. It is a rebellious, never quit, never give up spirit that lies within --- something many other college football fans will never experience or understand. And that is ok. Everyone can't be privileged to be an Ole Miss Rebel. I am proud that I am.

One final thought. 80% or more of college football programs have never won a mythical national title in college football. ( Ole Miss has, just for the record, although a long time ago). Does that mean all of these teams should just pack up and quit playing football? Whoever would the title holders play?

[webbmaster]

There is a level of character, dignity and enjoyment of being an Ole Miss alum, supporter and fan that has nothing to do with winning titles. It is a rebellious, never quit, never give up spirit that lies within --- something many other college football fans will never experience or understand. And that is ok. Everyone can't be privileged to be an Ole Miss Rebel. I am proud that I am.

Is this found in dictionary under the word "loser" or "moral victory"?

Sounds real nice and sure wish I could understand.

But winning and trophies are a lot more fun.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

Is this found in dictionary under the word "loser" or "moral victory"?

Sounds real nice and sure wish I could understand.

But winning and trophies are a lot more fun.

Exhibit A

Correct. You will never understand. And that's ok. Bless your heart.

[webbmaster]

I think I got it. Go to grove. Drink alcohol. Watch people. Eat chicken fingers. Yell hotty toddy. Go to game. Lose. Return to cheap tent. Yell hotty toddy. Go home.

((((((SPECIAL)))))

[Po Monkey Lounger]

No, you ain't got it. And you'll never have it. They don't sell it, and you can't buy it. And you can't display it in a trophy case.

And best of all, neither you nor any other Ole Miss hater can take it from me or any other true Rebel.

With regard to the Grove, as ol BBB was fond of saying, "STAY HOME". It's a whole lot of Rebels having fun and enjoying college football. You would hate it. And it's getting too crowded anyway. There is plenty of room where you will feel more at home --- the Waffle House, Applebee's, Cracker Barrell, etc.

[webbmaster]

I don't really hate Ole Miss or mind your "special gameday atmosphere." I find it refreshing.

I just don't like your constant whining.

But i do have it figured out...

[Po Monkey Lounger]

Getting back to the primary point of the original post, I have always said that both Ole Miss and MSU are capable of winning an SEC title. The only thing preventing such are the mindsets of small-minded people who lack vision and the resolve to get it done.

MO is benefitting from continuity with a very good coach and consistently good recruiting and player development. You can't fire and rehire coaches every 3-4 years and get to that point.

[mshunter77]

Not trying to take anything away from Missouri but they are playing in the much weaker side of the conference right now. Florida and UGA were both decimated with injuries this year and Mizzou lost to the one solid healthy team from the east it did play. They did beat A&M but did so against a very banged up Manziel. They do have some very good talent as they have picked up some big recruits since moving to the SEC and they have solid coaching. I think last year and this year both are exceptions for them and they will most likely wind up in the middle of those two seasons winning 8-10 games most years. Not saying they won't make it back to this point again just don't think this will be the norm. Same goes for Ole Miss and State. Next year will be the year that we see how good Mullen is. They are returning the majority of their team the defense looked very good by the end of the year and Prescott seems to be the perfect QB for his system. Ole Miss also obviously has some work to do. I think the inconsistency in Oxford is because of so many freshman playing key roles. Freeze is obviously a great recruiter and has them headed in the right direction. The future looks good for both Mississippi schools right now. I think State has a little better chance to make a bigger impact next year but the Rebels should have some big time experienced play makers in the next two years from all these freshman that are playing now.

[webbmaster]

Glad to see you got back on topic. Original post was making valid point. You just did your usual "I'm taking this personal/nobody talks about my Rebels like that/gonna take a few potshots at others regardless of it has to do anything with post/let me give everyone the long history of the mindset of 'true' Rebel fans" routine.

Mizzou has been to a bowl game 9 of the last 11 years. How does that stack up with most of the teams in the SEC?

[skywalker]

Mizzou's coach is what I call a 'steady'. He will not put himself in the limelight, never try to 'throw his weight around', but is day in and day out committed and you can see that in the team they field.

I do believe it will be a close geame.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

oYou just did your usual "I'm taking this personal/nobody talks about my Rebels like that/gonna take a few potshots at others regardless of it has to do anything with post/let me give everyone the long history of the mindset of 'true' Rebel fans" routine.

Nothing like having your own private stalker on the board.

Check, please.