The day Mid-South football changed began in Starkville, before noon, when the Mississippi State Bulldogs began what would become a 48-21 drubbing of 6th-ranked Texas A & M, securing — at the very least — recognition as the SEC’s best team in maroon and white. Then came the Ole Miss Rebels’ upset of third-ranked Alabama in Oxford, two late touchdowns redefining the words Hotty Toddy for those in attendance — including one Katy Perry — and a national-TV audience. Finally, from somewhat afar, we saw the 2014 Memphis Tigers make the Cincinnati Bearcats look like, well, the Memphis Tigers of 2010. Paxton Lynch and friends declared — from an NFL stadium, it should be noted — the American Athletic Conference championship does not, in fact, belong in southern Ohio.
If there’s been a better day for college football in this region, it happened long before any of the students currently attending Mississippi State, Ole Miss, or Memphis were born. This is a section of the country used to glancing slightly east and south for a view of college football’s governing powers, places like Baton Rouge, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, and Athens, Georgia. Hell, not so long ago, Knoxville and Gainesville commanded prime-time slots — at least the Saturday-afternoon CBS game — throughout the fall. We’ve reached a point where Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Memphis(!) would welcome Tennessee or Florida on their schedules.
The Rebels — behind quarterback Bo Wallace — are undefeated for the first time since John F. Kennedy occupied the White House. (JFK’s memories of Ole Miss would contrast dramatically with this week’s euphoria, no?) The Bulldogs feature a quarterback in Dak Prescott — three touchdowns on the ground, two through the air against the Aggies — who could make Tim Tebow the SEC’s second-best player to wear number 15 this century. And closest to home, the Memphis Tigers stare at seven more games on their schedule and they’ll be favored to win at least five. The U of M played Saturday without its top two running backs and merely turned “athlete” (his position in the team’s media guide) Sam Craft into Reggie Bush, the sophomore rushing for 173 yards against the Bearcats.
There is bound to be a mild population surge in the Magnolia State around the Fourth of July next year. For now, there are two questions to ponder. We know girls can be named Bo (Derek), but what about Dak? And would the state of Mississippi survive an Egg Bowl between undefeated teams?
Ms. Perry performed at FedExForum Sunday night, a few local football fans — and new friends from Oxford? — surely among the screaming teens and tweens. It was the perfect send-off for a weekend this region will never forget, a Mid-South roar to be echoed for generations.
• Baseball’s playoffs are setting up a World Series unlike any we’ve seen in quite some time. The Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles haven’t been to the Fall Classic since the days of AstroTurf and four playoff teams. It’s nice to see the rise of two once-proud franchises in the void left by the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. This year’s ALCS will be only the fifth this century not to feature the Yanks or Bosox.
Unless Washington can sweep three straight from San Francisco, the National League pennant will go to the Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, or St. Louis Cardinals, franchises that have combined for 56 pennants and 24 world championships. The most traditional of National League powers against brands made famous by George Brett, Brooks Robinson, and Cal Ripken. Good stuff.
