Illustration by Jake Thrasher By Sean Houlihan Robert stepped out the back door and into the cool morning air. “Ready to run, boy?” he called. Buck...

Pictures from the 2013 BBVA Compass Bowl at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama featuring the Ole Miss Rebels and Pitt Panthers. Photos by staff photographers Thomas Graning, Austin McAfee, and Quentin Winstine   ...

Quentin Winstine | The Daily Mississippian   BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Ole Miss returned to postseason play for the first time since 2010. In front of a BBVA Compass Bowl-record 59,135 fans, the Rebels cruised to a 38-17 win over Pittsburgh to finish the season 7-6, the program’s first winning season since 2009.    It was the program’s fifth-straight bowl win,...

 1. How much will the long layoff effect Ole Miss?  Matt Sigler (@SigNewton_2): I think the long layoff will show early in the game, but eventually, I believe Ole Miss will settle in and not have any problems getting things back on track.  David Collier (@DavidLCollier): There’s no doubt it will have an effect on both teams, and with the two different...

  Ole Miss and Pittsburgh are two of the most evenly matched teams in the bowl schedule this season, so Saturday’s BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Ala., should be a fun one to watch.   Here’s who has the advantage at each position.   Quarterback   Ole Miss sophomore Bo Wallace has had a good season, throwing for 2,843 yards and 19...

  When Ole Miss takes on Pittsburgh in the BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, it may be one of the most interesting matchups of the bowl season.   Why?   On paper, the Rebels and the Panthers are very similar, especially on the offensive side of the ball.  Points per game: Ole Miss – 30.9, Pittsburgh – 27.4   Total...