Alabama vs Mississippi

Alabama vs. Mississippi

Now that we have seen that Ole Miss isn’t that top 5 team some thought they were, now it is time for them to show that they are at least a top 25 team.

And on the other end, this is Alabama’s golden chance to make a serious statement in the SEC and in the nation.

I’ll be honest, I am not totally sold on Alabama, even though they were 12-2 last year. The Crimson Tide beat a Clemson team that had nothing in them last year, and the only legit wins for the Tide was beating Ole Miss by 4 at home, and LSU on the road by 6. I gotta be honest, I am not too impressed by the record last year, and it showed when they played Florida and lost…then played Utah…and lost.

But beating Virginia Tech is impressive, considering what the Hokies have done so far this year, so I cannot argue on that. And beating Arkansas and Kentucky do count for conference wins, but are they a true top 5 team…I am not too sure about that. While the SEC was one of the two best conferences last year, there were a heck of a lot of teams that submerged rather than rose to the surface. Alabama could have possibly taken advantage of being at the right place, at the right time.

But the same can be said for Mississippi. Sure they were 9-4 last year, but they did lose to Vandy, South Carolina and Alabama…oh they also lost to Wake Forest too. Much of their fanfare was based on the fact that they did beat Florida, and also beat a good Texas Tech team last year…but all hopes of an undefeated season ended early when South Carolina punched them in the guts this year, kicking them off the top 10 polls. Now hanging on at #20, they need this win to prove that last year was no fluke.

If Miss can beat Florida, on the road, then why can’t they beat Alabama…at home? This could very possibly be a game that Ole Miss can win, and the victory at home will have the entire state of Mississippi rejoicing. But can they do it?

I have no qualms believing ole Miss is a top 25 team, considering who they beat last year and who they have beaten this year, I see them about right where they should be, about #20 if not a spot or two lower. But a win here validates any moves up, and considering how tough the SEC is this year, that says a heck of a lot.

But do I believe Alabama is a top 5 team? Do I believe they can beat USC, or Penn State, or teams like that? Well, they did beat Virginia Tech, so there is great credibility, but I think they have what it takes to beat Mississippi. Remember, they won by 4 points last year at home, how will the Tide do on the road? Mississippi has lost a few at home, so it’s not like a clear cut home field advantage, but I will nod ever so slightly to the Rebels for some advantage.

But I still pick Alabama to win, by 5 points…yeah I said FIVE!