With a share of the Southeastern Conference Western Division title still within reach, two rivalry games will determine the No. 25 Ole Miss football team’s regular-season fate.
First, Ole Miss (7-3, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) will return from its open date to play host to No. 17 LSU (7-2, 4-2) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday (WCBI). The Egg Bowl regular-season finale against Mississippi State (7-3, 3-3) will be at 6:15 p.m. Nov. 28 in Starkville.
“We had a good open week,” Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said. “I think after the stretch of games we had, with 10-straight games plus fall camp, it was much needed both mentally and physically for coaches and players. We coaches were able to go on the road and recruit, which is always good. It seemed like it had been a while since we had gotten out. That was a good thing. I think the players enjoyed it, plus got more fundamental work in than we can typically fit in a typical game week. That was good for us also.”
Ole Miss was the last SEC team to take an open date this season. After shooting to third in the nation in October, Ole Miss’ psyche was struggling after losses to Florida, Memphis and, most recently, Arkansas. The Rebels fell to the Razorbacks 53-52 in overtime in Oxford.
Arkansas, LSU, and Ole Miss are tied for second in the SEC West. Ole Miss has the biggest advantage in the tie — a victory against division leader Alabama. If Ole Miss wins its final two regular-season games and Auburn beats Alabama, Ole Miss would play in the SEC Championship game.
“We needed (the rest) with LSU and Mississippi State, the two rivalry games, we having coming up here,” Freeze said. “We started back (Sunday). We got an extra practice in after giving them a few days off. I was really pleased with the attitude and the way everybody locked in. We started introducing them to this rivalry with LSU to make sure they understand what it means and the history of it. We will continue that throughout the week. This is an important game to a lot of people. We understand that.”
Last season, Ole Miss’ SEC West title hopes were crushed in a 10-7 loss to LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Ole Miss won the last series matchup at home. After debuting at No. 2 in the first College Football Playoff rankings, LSU has lost to Alabama and Arkansas.
“It needs to be important to everyone that meets in this room in the afternoons,” Freeze said. “I think the ones that have been here have a good understanding of what it means, and we are educating the others. We are playing a very, very good football team. They are one of the more talented teams in the country. LSU has been disappointed the last couple of weeks, but that is part of life.
“One of the greatest lessons you can learn in life is how do you handle that. They are being tested with that, just like we have been. There is no question, when you put the film on, how talented this group is. It is going to be a great challenge. We have got to play our best football game to win. I am glad it is at home. We need our fans to really give us great energy and make it difficult on their communication when they are on offense.”
Freeze is happy his team has meaningful games to play in November for a second-straight season.
“I think I said (at Media Days) I thought all seven teams (in the SEC Western Division) were good enough to beat each other,” Freeze said. “I think that is semi-true for all of us. I think it is proven. Here we are with two weeks left, and if I understand this correctly, we are one of two teams that have a shot at making it (SEC Championship).
“Looking back, we had one not go our way against Arkansas. It sure would be nice to have that one back, but you can’t. There are some other teams whose depth chart is deeper than some of the others, and that does play a factor in the consistency over the course of the season, but on any given Saturday, anyone’s depth chart in this conference on this side (SEC West) for sure is good enough if you have the right game plan, get some momentum and get a break your way. The talent is good enough on every team to beat you. I think it has proven out to be that way, and I don’t think it is going to change anytime soon.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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