As bad as things are in South Carolina, “thank God for Mississippi.”
That expression has long-sustained residents of our less-than-mediocre state, as South Carolina’s place of dishonor at the bottom of the national rankings has routinely been cushioned by the Magnolia State, which also seems “bound for the floor,” to borrow the title of that great Local H song.
SAT scores, personal income levels, poverty levels, infectious diseases … you name the category and chances are South Carolina and Mississippi are slugging it out to see who’s worst.
The same has held true with respect to the football teams of the two states’ flagship Universities, Ole Miss and the University of South Carolina. With the exception of a few flashes of genius here and there, USC and Ole Miss are viewed by top-tier SEC programs like Florida and Alabama as “automatic wins.”
And why not? South Carolina hasn’t won a conference championship since 1969 – when it played in the “Anybody Can Compete” conference. Ole Miss, meanwhile, hasn’t won a conference crown since 1963.
So imagine our surprise to discover that the Rebels are … grab your socks and hose and pull … ranked No. 4 in the nation according to the latest Associated Press poll, and No. 5 according to the latest USA Today/ Coaches poll. Of course that’s still only good enough for third-best among SEC teams (and only second-best in the SEC West) as No. 1 Florida and No. 3 Alabama are still “driving the debate” in college football’s toughest conference.
Poor Rebels – their highest national ranking in four decades and they’re still looking at ‘Bama’s backside. Talk about a Rodney Dangerfield moment.
Anyway, led by quarterback Jevan Snead (who, amazingly, is white), Ole Miss has posted blowout wins over a pair of cupcakes (Memphis and Northeast Louisiana) to earn its vaunted national ranking.
Alright, alright … it wasn’t the wins over cupcakes that did it, it was the way Ole Miss came on like gangbusters a year ago.
The Rebels finished 9-4 last season under first-year head coach Houston Nutt, a record that included six straight wins to round out the season and a Cotton Bowl victory over highly-favored Texas Tech.
Why are we telling you all this?
Well, Ole Miss comes to Columbia Thursday night for a nationally-televised showdown against USC, which is looking for its first conference win of the young 2009 season.
In addition to proving they deserve such a lofty national perch, the Rebels will also be looking to avenge a home loss to Carolina a year ago, a game that saw since-departed Gamecock quarterback Chris Smelley have a career day.
Since that game, though, it’s been a tale of two programs. Ole Miss has posted an 8-1 record. South Carolina , on the other hand, has gone 5-5. Amazingly, Carolina is only a 3.5-point underdog.
Kickoff at Williams-Brice Stadium is at 7:30 p.m. (EST).
By SC DOG September 23, 2009 at 1:42 pm
First, Ole Miss is not the Flagship university of Mississippi. Mississippi State is. We lead in terms of research dollars, students, etc. Also Championships on the SEC. Basketball 6 SECs in teh last 10 years. Baseball CWS: 1998, 1997, 2007. SEC Baseball 15 times, recent 2005/2007. Football 1998. And on and on. 2nd USC is not the flagship either…
BTW USC wins Thursday night, OM proved to be overrated(I HOPE).
You never hear MS say, thank God for… Because they are trying to move up. As long as SC continues this method of thought they will always be 49 or 50… Misery loves company.
By The man September 23, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Uh…USC IS the flagship university of South Carolina.
By Toyota Kawaski September 23, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Fits if you would stop playing hid the puck with your NHL buddies you would know that OLE MISS is ranked.Attention Reble Fans the Stars and Bars are welcome at WB stadium with or without the stick regardless of what SOS says.
By Roy September 23, 2009 at 4:34 pm
I think SC Dog is a little unclear about the meaning of “flagship university.”
By go cocks September 23, 2009 at 5:01 pm
“suprisingly white”? Umm, yeah so are a lot of the best QBs in the NFL. Brady, Manning(s), Favre, Rothlisburger….hello!?!?
Or are you suprised bc his name is Jevan?
By fitsnews September 23, 2009 at 5:18 pm
gc,
“the latter,”
-fits
By CNSYD September 23, 2009 at 6:37 pm
USC really is the fagship university in SC ever since Holderman and his toy boys.
By SC DOG September 23, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Here is your meaning Roy(see below)…. I have applied the meaning correctly in terms of MSU and OM. We(MSU) lead in research in Missisippi and are the largest university.
I have a degree from both USC and MSU. I was poking fun on the USC side of it as far as flagship, but in Football, Clemson would be the Flagship. The truth hurts…..
“Flagship university” is often used to refer to the leading comprehensive public research university or universities in a given U.S. state. Flagship universities are usually the largest public institutions of higher learning in the state and are generally well-known nationally. They are also typically research-intensive, Ph.D.-granting institutions and usually compete in NCAA Division I athletics. Some states may have two or more strong public universities in a given system. As such, more than one public university in a state may be designated or referred to as a “flagship.”
By Strom's Daughter September 24, 2009 at 12:37 pm
In South Carolina, we say: “Thank God for Mississippi.”
In Mississippi, they say: “Thank God for Haiti.”