At SEC Media Days, Mississippi State linebacker John Fields showed the Egg Bowl rivalry with Ole Miss hasn’t lost its vigor. While the Rebels are playing for more in 2024, their in-state adversary won’t let them off easy.
Bulldogs LB John Fields Heats Up Mississippi State-Ole Miss Rivalry at SEC Media Days
Remember when WR Elijah Moore was flagged for a pee celebration after catching a touchdown pass from QB Matt Corral in 2019, which ultimately led to a missed game-tying extra point? What a time to be alive.
When questioned about Ole Miss’ “Come to the Sip” mantra, Fields didn’t hold back. “It’s overrated. This is our state. Everybody knows that. We run the Sip because we run Mississippi. We’ve been saying it. They’re just following us, so it’s OK. They literally want to be us.”
When speaking about what the Egg Bowl game itself (the 10th longest-tenured series in the nation) means to both teams, Fields said, “It means a lot, it’s like winning the lottery. Like that goes for both sides, though. That’s for Ole Miss; if they win, it’s like winning the lottery. But same goes for us; if we win, it’s like winning the lottery.”
“So it means a lot, but we’re definitely bringing it back to Starkville this year.”
However, the numbers don’t necessarily back up Fields’ confidence.
Whether it is claimed national titles (three to zero), conference championships (six to one), number of consensus All-Americans (13 to three), all-time win percentage (.551 to .491), or even wins in the rivalry match itself (65 to 46; six ties) Ole Miss has the advantage on Mississippi State. Heck, the Rebels’ football program even played their first game before the Bulldogs (1893 to 1895).
While that’s ancient history, the present state of both schools doesn’t change the narrative. In the Lane Kiffin era, Ole Miss has taken home the Golden Egg trophy three times in four games.
Entering this season, the Rebels checked in at No. 3 on College Football Network’s SEC Power Rankings, while the Bulldogs were just one spot away from last at No. 15. But don’t take our word for it. According to FanDuel, Ole Miss has a win total set at 9.5, with Mississippi State’s at 3.5.
KEEP READING: 3 Things We Learned From Jeff Lebby At SEC Media Days
Additionally, the Rebels have the fourth-shortest odds of winning the SEC Championship (+750). The Bulldogs? Second-longest (+35000).
But neither team will care about any of that once the Egg Bowl kicks off on Nov. 29, 2024, in Oxford, Mississippi. The last time the contest was played there (2022), the Bulldogs pulled off a 24-22 victory, which would end up being head coach Mike Leach’s last win before his untimely passing.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!