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| Ole Miss gets another shot at the Tide next year. |
As Alabama humiliated Notre Dame and its thousands of shocked fans I couldn't help but turn my thoughts to next year. The Tide will be going for an unprecedented fourth BCS title in five years, cementing Nick Saban's place as the greatest college coach in history. In their way will be an SEC schedule that includes a date with Ole Miss in Tuscaloosa on September 28. Even if the Rebels are without blemish going into that game (a big if considering Vanderbilt and Texas come before), they will be heavy underdogs to the Tide, who will probably be No. 1 or close to it when Ole Miss comes calling.
The Rebels were heavy underdogs this year, too. They traveled to Tuscaloosa one game removed from being laid completely bare by Texas. Rebel fans who journeyed to Tuscaloosa did so for no reason other than sheer, blind loyalty to the team, and everyone watching, whether in the stadium or at home, did so braced for a game that looked like the one Notre Dame just suffered.
Instead it became what Hugh Freeze called the turning point in the season. Ole Miss played like they deserved to be on the same field as the Crimson Tide. Cody Prewitt and Denzel Nkemdiche fearlessly flew to the ball, and the Rebels learned something about themselves that night. We all did. There was more to this team than originally thought. It had courage and heart that when employed made the Rebels a far more formidable opponent than originally believed. Ole Miss lost 33-17, but not without causing Saban some amount of consternation. The display foretold of something good to come, though we didn't know what or how soon at the time.
Three and a half months later Ole Miss is a different team entirely. The Rebels went on to win a few SEC games, the Egg Bowl and even went to a bowl game. They grew up.
Hugh Freeze and all his players were watching Alabama's latest BCS beat down last night, as was I, and you and the rest of Rebel Nation, and I know the same unavoidable thought crept into all our heads - "See you next year, Alabama."
Today's Ole Miss Headlines:
The chips are beginning to fall in recruiting...
1. Ashton Shumpert commits to Mississippi State.
2. Kailo Moore to commit Friday:
RB Kailo Moore will hold a commitment press conference at 10:00 am Friday at West Bolivar.He will choose between OM, MSU, Vandy, and Bama.3. Tasmanian Denzel named Freshman All-American by FWAA.
— Yancy Porter (@YancyPorter) January 8, 2013
4. Shoulder surgery for Wallace. Out 4 to 6 months.