In my 49 years of watching the Egg Bowl, this one was the Eggs Benedict of them all!
With so much at stake for both teams, the setting was as much of a pressure cooker as you could make it. Saturday night, those in Oxford witnessed a degree of separation between the two Main Street Magnolia rivals in many respects that we’ll discuss in a minute, but first to the game.
The intensity of the crowd was overwhelming, but the biggest surprise being of how few State fans were in attendance with so much on the line. The game was announced as the fifth largest in Ole Miss history, but where were the Maroon supporters? The Ole Miss coaching staff had both an offensive game plan as well as a defensive one that baffled State from start to finish. Coach Hugh Freeze and his assistants received an A+ on Saturday.
Starting with the offense — there were so many stars, it’s hard to single only a few out, but I’ll try. The offensive line provided Bo Wallace with the level of protection he needed to find the open targets of Evan Engram (my MVP), Quincy Adeboyejo, Vince Sanders and Cody Core.
For Wallace, this game was redemption city as he personally handed the Bulldogs their worst defeat of the year! There were many dramatic plays, but my top two votes go with the Dexter McCluster-type of run by Jaylen Walton that covered almost the length of the field (some 91 yards). Then there was the incredible half back pass from Jordan Wilkins that surprised the State secondary more than Halloween III.
As to the defense, they played their hearts out for 60 minutes and contained the State scoring machine for only 17 points. Six players I must mention include Robert Nkemdiche, Keith Lewis, Trae Elston, C.J. Johnson, Tonny Conner and Deterrrian Shackelford. What a force! The entire defensive unit was stellar! They also receive an A+.
The separation I mentioned earlier needs to be explained. Starting with the Rebels, they reinforced to the college football world they are definitely a Top 10 team. This victory coupled with the October win over Bama make this 9-3 group a prime candidate for bowls like the Orange, Outback and Cotton which in my view are the primary candidates now. Had we lost, an 8-4 team probably was headed to the Citrus in Orlando. This mega win, however, pole vaulted the Rebs past several SEC competitors starting with LSU (8-4), Auburn (8-4), Georgia (9-3) and possibly 10 and 2 State.
Here’s why: The State loss was tragic in a couple of ways. The poor fan support demonstrated clearly to bowl suitors that this bunch may not travel to the extent needed to fill a stadium on New Year’s Day. State was ranked fourth and was included in the playoff scenario coming into Oxford, but left the Square conceding the SEC western title to Bama before the Iron Bowl even kicked off. I still expect State to participate in a top bowl, but the glamour is definitely off that cowbell for now as “The School Up North” showed the school down south who has the upper hand. The effects of this win regarding recruiting could be even more significant. Ole Miss is definitely the more exciting team.
In conclusion, this one was one for the ages. You had to be there to fully appreciate it. This Ole Miss team with its great cast of seniors will never be forgotten, look away, look away…to great days in Ole Miss football history on the horizon!
And Hotty Toddy my friends.
Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. In addition, he is a certified economic and community developer and currently, a highly successful leader in the real estate business with Premier Properties of Oxford.You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.
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