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Ole Miss Football: Game-by-game predictions for Rebels in 2017

By Hunter Kinniburgh

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Shea Patterson #20 of the Ole Miss Rebels drops back against Jay Woods #74 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Shea Patterson #20 of the Ole Miss Rebels drops back against Jay Woods #74 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – NOVEMBER 26: Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs runs the ball and tries to avoid the tackle of Zedrick Woods #36 of the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Bulldogs defeated the Rebels 55-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – NOVEMBER 26: Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs runs the ball and tries to avoid the tackle of Zedrick Woods #36 of the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Bulldogs defeated the Rebels 55-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Ah yes, the game you’ve all been waiting for. I’ll make this simple, Ole Miss has to win this game. After getting embarrassed and kept from a bowl game by losing 55-20 last season, Ole Miss needs redemption. In a season in which Ole Miss cannot go to a bowl game, this will be the only game that Ole Miss fans even remotely care about. Not to mention the fact that Mississippi State and Ole Miss have their issues when related to Ole Miss’ NCAA case, but that is a story for another day.

Ole Miss, by all account should have been able to beat Mississippi State last season. instead, the whole team fell flat, uncharacteristic drops, and the deplorable Rebel defense was at its worst. Mississippi State executed and took home the Egg Bowl trophy. This will not be an easy game for either team. Bad blood is an understatement when talking about any aspect of this rivalry. Whether that include the players, coaches, administrations or the fans. These two schools and all involved with them despise each other.

In order for Ole Miss to win they have to contain Nick Fitzgerald, something they did not do last year. The offense also has to go out and execute and have a field day. Shea Patterson can only do so much. As stated, his offense wasn’t there for him in 2016. They’ll need to be this year, especially with the game being in Starkville. The bulldogs defense should be average at best, something the Rebel offense should be able to exploit.

If the Rebel defense improves the way they should then they should have a better day against Fitzgerald. In reality, it really couldn’t get any worse from that side of the ball than it was against State last year.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

Ole Miss simply has to win. They could lose every other game this season but win this game and the fanbase would be somewhat happy. The Rebels owe it to State. It won’t be easy, Davis-Wade stadium is sure to be as hostile as any sporting event environment on that night. Bring your earplugs Rebels, the cowbells will be out in full force.

Final: Ole Miss 38, Mississippi State 20 (9-3, 6-3 SEC)

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