Rivalry Week is upon us once again. It will kick off with Ole Miss football facing off against Mississippi State on Thanksgiving for the 2017 Egg Bowl.
Perhaps the most exciting week of the year is rivalry week. Although it signals the end of college football season, it also signals the beginning of quite the slate of games. It all kicks off with the Egg Bowl on Thursday when Ole Miss and Mississippi State face off. This game promises to be a good one. Here are my three bold predictions for the match up.
3. Nick Fitzgerald accounts for over 400 yards of offense
The Mississippi State offense has been quite strong so far this season. Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald accounts for quite a bit of this teams offense from both his arms and his legs. I imagine it will be difficult for a struggling Ole Miss defense to stop Fitzgerald.
He has questions circulating to asking if he is the best quarterback in the SEC right now. He gave the likes of LSU, Texas A&M and Alabama fits so far this season so it may be true. Whether the answer to that is yes or no, he will likely give Ole Miss fits on Thursday night.
My bold prediction? Fitzgerald accounts for over 400 yards of offense. At least 200 of those will come from his legs and the rest will come from the cannon of an arm he has developed.
2. The Ole Miss offense won’t back down in the face of adversity
Yes, the Mississippi State offense is big and bold. However, Ole Miss isn’t too shabby either. Despite the loss of quarterback Shea Patterson to a torn ACL, junior college transfer Jordan Ta’amu has stepped up and taken control of the offense for the Rebels. The offensive line has worked well for him and his receivers are helping him adapt to the offense as quick as possible.
Tackling AJ Brown is hard pic.twitter.com/H6e6nvSCTO
— We Run the Sip (@OMRebelNation) November 19, 2017
This team scores fast and often, as a result I can see the Ole Miss offense putting up at least 24 on the Mississippi State defense. It may not be enough for a win, but this team is gritty and full of fighters. Look for Jordan Ta’amu to put up some big numbers, at least 300 yards of offense between his rushing abilities and his passing abilities.
1. Mississippi State brings in a win on Senior Night
On Thanksgiving night in Starkville, a group of seniors will take the field for the last time. That is always a highly emotional time for a group of kids who have given their all to a program and Thursday night will be no different.
The Bulldogs have put together quite the season, sitting in the top 15 of the College Football Playoff rankings. There is no bigger motivator than emotions and these Mississippi State seniors will have quite a bit of them on Thursday.
https://twitter.com/HailStateFB/status/933070522228793344
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My bold prediction? The Mississippi State Bulldogs win by at least 10 on Senior Night in Starkville. At least one senior puts up a career night and leaves Starkville with his head held high knowing he did all that he could to help his team. While the Rebels may fight hard and long, the Bulldogs have this one.