More Euphoria Please

I wore an Ole Miss golf shirt when I took the family out to dinner last night. We went to one of the popular new restaurants in town and as popular new restaurants in town will do, we had a long wait. As we waited I noticed more than half the men in the place were wearing their school colors. The restaurant was dotted with maroon, blue and red. And after a few minute of avoiding eye contact, we could not help but engage each other about the weekend's big games against Texas A&M and Auburn. We shared our disbelief at the good fortune we've experienced, the reasons we were worried for our teams' chances, and shared each other's keys to victory. It was odd, but then again so is sharing a No. 3 national ranking. This was simply Mississippi State fans and Ole Miss fans wishing each other the best and wanting the euphoria to continue. Once you've tasted euphoria, you never want it to end. 

It feels like a dream. 

Ole Miss can extend its dream season another week with a win at Texas A&M tonight (8 p.m., ESPN). A win would improve the No. 3 Rebels to 6-0 and improve their standing in early College Football Playoff discussions - crazy but true.

No. 2 Auburn stands in between Mississippi State and another week of nirvana in Starkville. If the Bulldogs win they could easily leap frog Florida State for No. 1 (seriously). I really like Mississippi State's chances against Auburn. I don't think the Tigers can run on the giant Bulldogs. Nick Marshall will struggle under the pressure. And Dak will continue his great season. 

But back to Ole Miss. 

The Rebels are on a roll, but they'll face some angry Aggies in front of a huge crowd at Kyle Field. The LandShark Defense will be tested through the air. With Ole Miss safety Trae Elston suspended for the 1st half that's worrisome, but Mike Hilton practiced at safety this week and he is a proven gamer. The Rebels should be okay in the defensive backfield. Where the game will be won or lost is up front. Kenny Hill is not an elusive playmaker like his predecessor. If the LandShark defensive front can get to Hill early and often Hill will get rattled, and at that point the game should tip in Ole Miss' favor. 

Texas A&M imploded against Mississippi State. I don't expect that to happen two weeks in a row. Ole Miss will be in a fight through the 4th quarter, but the Rebels will win. 

If my predictions are right...we'll be floating to church on cloud tops Sunday morning.