The Mississippi St. Bulldogs are going to finish with a better record than the Mississippi Rebels for the fourth time since 1999. They can also win two straight Egg Bowls for the first time since … 1999, making this the most The Sixth Sense game of Hate Week. Ole Miss dominates the rivalry 60-40, but the Dawgs have won nine of the last 17 and three of the last five.
The Rebels still have one of the nation’s worst defenses, ranking right between the Kansas St. Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks in yards allowed per play. The Dawgs give up their share of yards, but not very many points. They force a lot of turnovers, though, ranking 16th in the nation in takeaways, tied with squads like the Alabama Crimson Tide and Stanford Cardinal. These teams are mirror images as far as turnover margin goes: State plus seven, Ole Miss minus seven.
The Bulldogs have an outside shot at the Gator Bowl, which would be their best bowl in over a decade.
TV time: 7 on ESPNU.
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