Golden Egg Game Sparkling

By Jimmie McDowell

A month ago this year's battle for the Golden Egg did not look so exciting, but then Ole Miss caught fire and added arch-rival LSU to its vanquished list, 31-12, in Tiger Stadium and Mississippi State came back from the near dead to rock the University of Arkansas, 31-28,at Scott Field in what would have made the late, great Leo Seal proud.

Now the stage is set for a monumental collision at Vaught Hemingway Stadium Thanksgiving Friday with State seeking to spoil Ole Miss' major bowl hopes. Houston Nutt's Rebels are going bowling but the result of the battle for the Golden Egg will decide how big a Bowl will it be. A win over State could send the Johnhy Rebs backs to Dallas against one of the double tough Big 12 teams which would cast the Red and Blue in an underdog role in the Cotton Bowl.

If Ole Miss stumps its toe it might mean playing in the Liberty Bowl against a Conference USA team. The Liberty Bowl would like to celebrate its 50th anniversary with Ole Miss participating.The Sugar Bowl is preparing for a big 75th Birthday and would like its best matchup possible. Ole Miss was always a Sugar Bowl favorite.

An added highlight of the Ole Miss-LSU game was the on campus salute to Billy Cannon,who will be inducted in to the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame in New York in December. Cannon was elected to the Hall years ago, but when he was involved in a counterfeit money situation, resulting in jail time the Induction was cancelled. Cannon has paid his debt to society, serving his time and has resumed his dentist practice.

I have attended many Sugar Bowl games over the years and appreciate being invited to come back for the 75th encounter in the Crescent City.

Hopefully, State's excellent showing against Arkansas will silence Sylvester Croom's critics. I expect State to give an even better effort against Ole Miss and the Rebels will have to play their best to defeat their arch-rivals from Starkville.

I cast my vote for the Charlie Conerly award, my semi-final vote that is. The final Conerly vote will take place after the Golden Egg battle.

Southern Mississippi also hopes to get in the bowl picture in their regular season finale in Dallas against Southern Methodist University. A loss sends the Golden Eagles home for the holidays. A victory should give Larry Fedora's warriors a post-season invite.

Millsaps and Delta State advance in the playoff with impressive wins last weekend It would be great if both teams could go all the way and claim national championships in their divisions. Jackson State's win over Alcorn at Mississippi Menorial Stadium 26-21. Jackson State will be seeking its second straight Southwest Athletic Conference title in Birmingham De. 13.

Houston Nutt, Rick Comegy, Mike Dubose and Ron Roberts have sparkled as head coaches at Ole Miss, Jackson State, Millsaps,and Delta State with Larry Fedora only a step behind. If State can upset Ole Miss Sly Croom will be a happy man. The Bulldogs' play against Arkansas was the way ole Maroons expected State to play all year.

Florida and Alabama clash in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta in two weeks. Both need to whip arch-rivals Florida State and Auburn to remain major contenders for the national title.

If Florida should win the national title with the only blemish in their own backyard against Ole Miss it would be the same as when Ole Miss whipped Notre Dame and the Irish rebounded and won the national title. The Irish did change quarterbacks after the loss to Ole Miss. Dan Devine promoted Joe Montana to run the offense.

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