Ole Miss defensive back Cody Prewitt (25) celebrates after intercepting a pass during a game against Missouri Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013. (Photo/Ignacio Murillo)
Ole Miss suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of No. 8 Missouri this past weekend. The Rebels will have to get over the loss quickly, however, as they face rival Mississippi State in a short week with Egg bowl to be played on Thanksgiving.
“I think the biggest challenge is for the young guys to get over the loss and get over the little petty mistakes that we all made,” junior safety Cody Prewitt said. “This game is already in the trash. We have to come in and focus on State.”
It will be an interesting matchup against Mississippi State, as the Bulldogs are currently at 5-6 on the season, and a win against Ole Miss would make them bowl eligible.
“Well number one, I think they’re a good football team,” head coach Hugh Freeze said about the Bulldogs after Saturday’s game. “This league, any of them are so good up front that they can be in any game. Offensive line and defensive line are the strengths of theirs, and I know they will be very emotional not only because it’s the Egg Bowl but because they’re playing for extra practices and a bowl game.
“So we better get our kids ready. With their backs against the wall, they’ll have their kids ready, so we better be ready.”
Another effect this game could have is on the recruiting process.
“I’m sure there are in-state recruits out there that wanna go to the better football team in the state,” Prewitt said. “Personally, it was never a choice for me. If I was going to a school in Mississippi, it was Ole Miss.”
This game has been moved back to Thursday, like it was in the past, but this does present some problems. A shorter week means both teams will have fewer days to prepare for their opponent. Freeze said Ole Miss will have extended walkthroughs instead of normal practices to help the team recover and have fresh legs come game time.
A short week can be a tough thing to overcome, but Prewitt, however, can see the positive effect of the short week.
“Yeah I think it is a good thing, that we will be able to get over this loss quick and get excited for another game coming up,” Prewitt said. “And we’re gonna take in a lot of confidence. I think it’s gonna be a really good game on Thursday, and this week is gonna be really fun, energetic and focused.”
Prewitt thinks that the rivalry game is huge even without the postseason implications.
“That’s just us having to understand the rivalry,” Prewitt said. “To me, it doesn’t matter what our record is, this is a game we can’t lose. We are the flagship university, and we have to keep it that way. We have to win to the Egg Bowl.”
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss football, follow @TheCodyThomason and @thedm_sports on Twitter.
— Cody Thomason
csthoma1@go.olemiss.edu
