Welcome to Ole Miss:Big Ten fans

This blog is in response to the series : How we are perceived. In that series I asked all 11 Big Ten universities' fans their thoughts on Ole Miss. I thank the fans who took the time to answer a few questions. I was surprised at how open Big Ten fans were to talking about Ole Miss sports. This blog is a short glimpse of the Ole Miss today.

Dear Big Ten fans:

I enjoyed reading your thoughts on Ole Miss. Many of you were knowledgeable and informed on Ole Miss and our traditions. I was a bit disappointed in some of the comments, in particular the rebel flag and racist comments. I asked for your thoughts and it seems you were honest. I hope to shed a new light on Ole Miss for you. This blog is just a short glimpse of the Ole Miss today.

All universities have their scars and black eyes. Ole Miss is definitely among them. Ole Miss today is a much different place than it was even 20 years ago. I am amazed at how much it has changed even since I was there from 1992-1995. It seems many of you have old images stuck in your head regarding Ole Miss. I hope to enlighten you on changes that have accured over the last few decades.

First let me start off by saying that Ole Miss hasn't used the Rebel Flag in over 20 years and asked the fans not to bring the flags to football games 10 years ago. They issued a "stick ban" and now confiscate any type of flag in the stadium. Regardless, the majority of Ole Miss fans have happily agreed to the change.

Our previous mascot, Col Reb, has been retired. The University in 2003 retired the Col and is in the process of updating to a new and younger mascot. We've been waiting for 4 years now. Hopefully the University will let us have a mascot once again.

Where is the name "Ole Miss" from? The Ole Miss site states :" The University's nickname -- Ole Miss -- became part of University 100 years ago, in 1896, when it was selected in a contest held to identify a new student publication, the yearbook. It was suggested by the late Miss Elma Meek of Oxford. Each succeeding issue of the annual has been given this copyrighted identity."

Is there still racism in Mississippi? Yes. However, my personal opinion is that there is no more or no less racism present than in any other place. I live in Ohio now and I can see no difference between here and Oxford. Mississippi is 36% African American, compared to 15% in IL, 11.4% in OH, 8.3% in IN, 9.9% in PA and 5.6% in WI. IOPAA Simply put, Mississippi is two times more diverse than any state where a Big 10 university is located.

Here are some facts that I found on the University of Mississippi's website:

• Total enrollment on The University of Mississippi’s three campuses and The University of Mississippi Medical Center is almost 17,300. Sixty-five percent of all students are from Mississippi, and 18 percent are minorities. International students come from 68 nations. (Northwestern only has a black student population of less than 6 percent, Michigan 8.1 percent.)--The journal of blacks in higher education


• UM produced its 24th Rhodes Scholar in 1998. Since then, it has produced five Truman Scholars, seven Goldwater Scholars, a Marshall Scholar and five Fulbright Scholars. UM was named one of three 2004 Truman Foundation Honor Institutions in the nation.


• 1,286 students have participated in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College since it opened in 1997 and the Barksdale Honors Scholarship has provided more than $1.3 million. Reader's Digest calls the Honors College one of the nation's three finest.


• The Lombardi Program on Measuring University Performance ranks UM among the nation's Top 50 public research universities.


• External funding for research, service and education projects on the Oxford and Jackson campuses topped $100 million each of the past six years. UM is home to more than 30 research centers.


• The American Academy of Forensic Scientists ranks the UM degree in forensic chemistry among the top five in the country.


• The University's endowment stands at $421.4 million, placing it among the nation's best endowed public institutions per capita.


• The School of Business Administration's insurance risk management program is ranked among the top five in the country.


• Sports Illustrated rates tailgating in the Grove as one of America's premier college events, placing it No. 3 on a list of 100 things to do before graduating.


• UM is home to the world's largest blues archive, Living Blues magazine (the country's longest-running magazine dedicated to blues music) and "Highway 61," a blues radio show produced weekly for Mississippi Public Broadcasting.


• University of Mississippi Medical Center surgeons performed the world's first lung transplant in man and transplanted the heart of a chimpanzee - man's closest genetic relation - into the chest of a dying man.


• One of the South's first universities to admit women, and the first to hire a female faculty member.

I invite y'all to take a trip to Oxford. Oxford is one of the most unique places you will ever visit. Here is a bit about Oxford from oxfordms.com: (I also suggest taking the time to watch the video of oxford found on this website.)

• Oxford has earned the distinction as a Designated Retirement Community by the state of Mississippi’s Hometown Retirement program and was named one of Money magazine’s top six retirement communities in July 2001. Oxford has also been highlighted by Where To Retire, Fortune, Travel 50 And Beyond, Men’s Journal, Modern Maturity, Time magazine and many other national and regional publications as being an ideal retirement destination. The Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation’s Retiree Attraction Program offers information and tours for interested retirees who want to learn more about the town. Visit www.retire.oxfordms.com to contact the Retiree Attraction Program Director or for additional information on retirement in Oxford.

The most well known sports related event at Ole Miss is tailgating in the Grove. The Grove has been named in numerous sports list as one of, if not, the best tailgating in college football. Take the time to read a few articles on the Grove experience. Then come on down, you will love it. :

• At Ole Miss, the Tailgaters Never Lose--New York Times


• Road Trip: University of Mississippi--Sports Illustrated


• CNN Video from 2003 on the Grove


• The Grove Part I & Part II

I hope this information has been helpful. I do hope that you take the time to visit Ole Miss and Oxford. Better yet, ask your athletic directors to schedule us in a future game.

Sincerely,

The Hotty Toddy Blog

Ole Miss: How we are perceived IV

This is the final part of the How we are perceived Big 10 blogs. In this blog I will look at how fans from Northwestern, Purdue and Wisconsin view Ole Miss sports.



Northwestern:


Northwestern and Ole Miss have never played in football. Oxford and Evaston are separated by 634 miles. It takes 10 hours to drive from Oxford to Evaston according to google maps.



(1) What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Ole Miss?

Many things. Not many are nice.--Gladeskat

Nothing IMMEDIATELY jumps to mind, since Ole Miss isn't as high profile as Alabama (Bear Bryant), Kentucky (basketball) or Florida (Spurrier, even though he's gone). But I guess the rebel grove is first on the list. I guess the Mannings are the most famous athletes/coaches that come to mind. --CleveCat

your racist Senators--NU64

Racism. "whited sepulchres". Archie Manning.--NCCat66

Two words - Michael Oher--DurhamCat

Orgeron is a mean drunk--CoralSpringsCat

The Egg Bowl and excellent tailgating are the first things that come to mind. Overall, I view Ole Miss as having a strong football tradition and loyal fans. I've read articles on tailgating in the Grove and the Walk of Champions and it is supposed to be great atmosphere.--AstroCat

the south, didn't they play Nebraska a couple years ago?--flagonthefield

Eli Manning. If he doesn't produce more this year, then "that wasted draft pick, Eli Manning".--VAcat



(2) What are your feelings about Ole Miss?

As you ask specifically about the University of Mississippi, let me add that I see that school as no better or worse than its peers. I have heard from friends who have attended games in Oxford that the campus is very nice and the gameday atmosphere is electric. As an alum of NU however, I'd prefer to see NU schedule games with representatives of conferences that adhere to higher standards of academic ethics. The ACC, Big East, PAC 10, and Big Ten all have difficulties balancing academics and revenue-producing athletics, but at least are trying to maintain an ethical standard.I see the SEC as a big circus tent run by a modern-day P.T. Barnum who puts on a great show and asks people to ignore the suffering behind the scenes that supports it. In this case, the suckers who were born every minute are the student-athletes in the SEC programs. PS: I too love the beagles!--AgingB...rRedux

have no problem with the "rebel" name, but Ole Miss is definitely associated with bigots. Trent Lott, for example. --CleveCat

Do people there know it is not 1850 anymore?--NCCat66

vague, nither good nor bad--flagonthefield

Old South, the good and bad of it.--VACat



(3) Would you like to play us in football or basketball in the future?

No.--CleveCat & NCCat66

I would not mind playing Ole Miss in football, but I don't see it happening. In the Chicago area there is not enough fan interest to justify scheduling a non-conf game against Ole Miss.--AstroCat

Vandy is a much better fit if we wanted to play the SEC --flagonthefield

Old South, the good and bad of it.--VACat



(4)What do you think about the SEC in general?

I think that many of us, not only at NU but throughout the Big Ten, perceive SEC schools to exploit poor to marginal students in revenue- producing sports to generate alumni support and build national profiles. Our perception is that these students are kept eligible in order to serve the school's interests, but have no real chance of graduating with meaningful degrees. As alumni of a school committed to ensuring that our teams are composed of true students-athletes, we find the practices of the SEC schools reprehensible and the success of their teams tainted. This is not to say that the schools do not have many wonderful students taught by top-echelon faculty, but that large numbers of SEC athletes have no business in college other than to play sports. --AgingB...rRedrux

Although every conference is crooked, the SEC is the most crooked. Even many SEC fans admit that. --CleveCat

Vanderbilt is a good school with a pretty campus and a great BB coach (who hails from Illinois and played at Purdue).--NCCat66

I have a very high opinion of SEC football, but I just do not have the time to follow all the conferences. Mostly, I focus on the Big Ten--AstroCat

pretty tough conference in more than one way--flagonthefield

SEC is purely about athletes and money. Vandy has the only student-athletes with the exception of a few at each school.--VACat



(5) Have you ever visited Oxford on game day? If yes, what was your experience? If no, what have you heard about our gameday experience?

Yes. Lots of tailgating, the rebel grove, and the SEC tradition of co-eds attending the game in their dresses and high heels. It was fun. The "18 MPH" speed limit on campus is pretty clever, too (it's a tribute to Archie Manning).--CleveCat

No. Nothing....I admire your intestinal fortitude. Good luck with your poll. If we are in error regarding Old Miss, you might want to pass along to us facts that would contradict our impressions of your school.--NCCat66

No, but heard it's a great gameday experience.--VACat

To join in the discussion visit:

Northwestern Rivals



Purdue:

Ole Miss and Purdue have played only one time in football and it was back in 1929. Oxford and West Lafayette are 577 miles apart. The drive from one to the other will take you around 9 hours.





(1) What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Ole Miss?

The Confederate flag--ecouch

Move the Egg Bowl back to Thanksgiving evening. Use to enjoy watching it--Chicago Joe

If it is outside the Big Ten I don't really care about it.--4thandshort

Who gives a crap?--SantoForHOF

Tailgating in the Grove, arguably the best looking coeds in the country--mrbreeze

The Grove. Hotty Toddy. Ultimate, premium, formal tailgating - women in sun dresses and heels, centerpieces, candelabras with average football.--Gerarad Francisco

The "rich" kids of Mississippi. That's the way everyone treats them there.--Whiskey and Coke

(2) What are your feelings about Ole Miss?

Racists, 100 years in the past. Hot chicks though--ecouch

The fact it was called the Egg Bowl always made me giggle. It was always interesting to see the uniforms and the stadium at night. About the only time us Yankees ever got Mississippi exposure.--ecouch

I like Ole Miss. Archie played there, and he's the father of Peyton, and we love Peyton here in Indiana--Mighty Argyll

If you've ever spent any significant time in the south, you'd know that the racist label attached to the rebel flag is not entirely accurate. It's a symbol of history and carries a certain machismo association with being a rebel, but you'll find plenty of people who display the old rebel flag with no intention or thought to promote racism. Most southerners are aware of the connotation, but some reject the newly-placed stigma attached to a symbol they grew up with. Not saying true racists won't fly the rebel flag because there is certainly that too, but it's mostly just viewed in the south as their history and heritage. If you talk to southerners about the confederacy, they mostly think of it as a failed attempt for independance rather than an excuse to keep slaves as we northerners tend to see it. Until recently, people weren't taught to be offended by such symbolism.--FiveWeight

Great southern university experience, mostly middle of the road in athletics, though they have struggled in football a bit lately. The football team had a couple of really good LBs that went to the NFL in '07--mrbreeze

Beautiful campus. If I knew now then what I know now, I would have applied to Ole Miss. Attractive coeds is an understatement.--Gerard Francisco

(3) Would you like to play us in football or basketball in the future?

No - football Sure - basketball. I don't see you guys coming this far north in football.--ecouch

don't see why not, I think the Purdue faithful should have to opportunity to experience the southern hospitality, as well as the SEC football atmosphere--mrbreeze

Football--Gerard Francisco

Absolutely! Especially in football. And I would very strongly consider a road trip to Oxford for a football game.--Mighty Argyll

(4)What do you think about the SEC in general?

Best football conference in the country.--ecouch

Great football conference - speed kills.--Gerard Francisco

Perennial power conference, always one of the top 3 conferences in the nation, and lately I'd say #1 conference in the country.--Mighty Argyll

Not much general football knowledge. While most know their own team well they don't know much about the rest of the country. They also refer to the past alot...especially Alabama fans. They think the south is a football haven...when the truth is most people are just as big of die hard baseball fans....which I am really impressed with (baseball support)--Wiskey and Coke

(5) Have you ever visited Oxford on game day? If yes, what was your experience? If no, what have you heard about our gameday experience?

No and No--ecouch

Twice, both times stayed over night in Olive Branch and drove down. Once had a great breakfast at one of the two places you could actually get it on saturday morning. My wife needed handicap parking, as we drove in the officials on the street waved us thru and pointed us in the direction we needed to go. I didn't even have time to roll down my window to ask. The stadium is not so big that your seats will be bad. It was a great experience overall.--mrbreeze

Awesome. The Grove blows away any setting in the Big 10 and I have been everywhere worth seeing (sorry IU and Minny). The team walk to the stadium through The Grove through Whiskey Alley is excellent. We had our tailgate party catered. The fans were really hospitable and friendly. My crew all concluded that we should have foregone U of I, Purdue, ND, Washington, etc. and gone to Ole Miss.--Gerard Francisco

To join in the discussion visit:

Purdue Scout
Purdue Rivals

Wisconsin:


Ole Miss and Wisconsin have never met in football. Oxford and Madison are 725 miles apart. It takes 11 hours to drive between them.

(1) What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Ole Miss?

I am from the South, my grandmother lives in South Carolina. I really understand the importance that the Civil War has in southern identity and nationality. BUT ... Colonel Reb, well that is a bit much. Sorry, but that is the first thing I think about. Second is that a girl I knew in High School who was pretty hot and smart went there.--gpshealy

Eli Manning and how the team has more or less sucked since he left.--shetownbucky

I'm an older badger: James Merideth.--tennesseebadger

That it's a poor state and the song "We're Going To Miss Ole Miss" by the Chad Mitchell Trio (circa 1964?)--bdgrinmifl

The rioting when James Meridith enrolled.The second thing that comes to my mind is back in the 1970s on a flight I met the recently fired Ole Miss fooball Sports Information Director. He lost his job because Steve Sloan had been hired as Football Coach and wanted his own people hired. How long did Sloan stay at Ole Miss?--Badger1964

When I think of Ole Miss- I think of Miss and the controversy surrounding the state flag. In fact I just googled it and read a very interesting history. A vote came before the citizens of Miss to vote for the current flag or a newly designed flag w/ 20 stars in a circle-one for each state admitted before Miss and one bigger one in the middle for Miss. Personally, I thought a choice should have been for the "Magnolia Flag", the official flag over Miss that flew 33 years from 1861 to 1894- I think that flag w/ its history would have won the vote. Anyway, the current one w/ the "Stars and Bars" won out.--Badger89

Brent Schaeffer - though I'm glad you have him now, at the time I was really hoping he would be a Badger.--agrostis

I think of that kid from the Michael Lewis book (Michael Oher??). I have a passing interest in Ole Miss now as I'm curious to see what type of player he becomes.--keepitontheground

I've heard it's a great time at Oxford. A good friend of mine who went there for grad school have talked about going to a game there, I'd like to see it for myself.--SouthernBucky

Football on Saturday is just an adjunct to the Debutante's Ball. Hairdressers in Oxford are the town's elite. The real rivalry is the coiffures and designer jeans worn by the coeds at Ole Miss vs Auburn.--Combad57

A cartoon from the sports pages on the Newark Star-Ledger on New Year's Day 1960 showing charicatures of the 8 teams playing in that day's bowl game (there were only 4 NYD games at that time). John Vought's team was taking on Paul Dietzel's LSU and the "Chinese Bandits" defense. Mississippi won, 21-0. Every time I hear the University of Mississippi mentioned in a football context that cartoon flashes in my mind. --OldBadger

Old South culture. Guys in ties and girls in makeup and dresses. --crazyatthecamp

My buddy from law school who went to Ole Miss. His little brother was a kicker for Ole Miss at the time. Also, John Grisham.--shantydaze

Tie: Eli Manning and the reputation of having hot babes--NYChez

Mostly the Mannings, although now it's that wildman Orgeron.--SpudsBadger

A good program school that has potential to become a solid SEC team on the field. By hit and miss I mean one year they're 9-3 and beating teams like Florida. The next season, they could be losing to Vanderbilt. Off the field, they seem to be a clean-run program. --ngosz

First thing that comes to mind about Ole Miss is missing out on McKnight--grayslayer3

The great Archie Manning and his overrated son Elie Manning.--Sports Fan24

Rebel Flag--tippiwoo

The Grove, the flag issue(agree with sportsfan on this), hot coeds with daddys 318 BMW from HS graduation, etc.--army1

Eli Manning and Deuce McCallister--nugbadger

(2) What are your feelings about Ole Miss?

I've heard that Ole' Miss is a fun time on Saturday afternoons in the fall. As far as their atheletic programs goes, outside of Eli Manning, I consider Ole Miss to be one of the "also ran's" of the SEC. Ole' Miss has a LONG way to go in order to catch up with the LSU's, Florida's, Auburn's, Tennessee's, etc. of the world. Would I like to schedule a home & home with the Rebels? Absolultely. I'd love to bring Badger fans down to Oxford and show SEC country how we roll!--CampKohl

Truthfully, when I think of the SEC, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Vanderbilt, and LSU come to mind before Ole Miss. Not sure why, but probably due to their history and or success. (I think of Vandy because I root for them to win every conference game )--shantydaze

As far as for Ole Miss, I never thought any feelings positive or negative. I don't want to sound condescending but I believe that may be a result of Ole Miss not having a lot of sucess through the years on the grid iron or the parquet flooring.--Badger89

Good school stuck in a stellar conference--grayslayer3

One of the weaker football teams in the SEC. --Badger1964

Indifferent. Have heard good things about the university from a co-worker. I've seen their sports teams play on TV several times, and they play a hard-nosed brand of football. Great baseball team. Basketball team could use some help. --ngosz

Good talent horrible coaching, Like you more than other SEC schools--nubadger

They are a mediocre SEC team. Kind of like Minnesota. In their best years, they could perhaps contend for a title. But in their down years, they are in the bottom 2 of the conference. --SpudsBadger

Pretty indifferent. Watching the Egg Bowl (think that's it) on Thanksgiving was always fun.--agrostis

The school that proportionately produces the most Stepford wives.--Combad57

I would agree though that it is a bit of an unfair stereotype. I know that Ventress Hall is very pretty. I always think of it as a pretty good school academically.--gpshealy

May not be the best academically but I'm sure a number of successful business people have their degree from Ole Miss. --SouthernBucky

Ole Miss is one of the last remaining schools that favors conservatism in the country. It is a polar opposite of many places, especially UW.--crazyatthecamp

First, I cringe at the expression "Ole Miss". Sorry, but I find that just a bit...um, precious. I always call the school Mississippi. Second, my feelings about the place are inextricably tied to James Meredith and the events of 1962; as with the cartoon mentioned above, that happened during my high school days, an impressionable age. Those things said, I recognize that Mississippi is a different place now, and that since John Vaught's day you've been underdogs more often than not within the SEC. So I often find myself pulling for your team to win against your top conference opponents. --OldBadger

Indifferent, just one of the SEC teams that doesn't get talked about much because they are middle-of-the-pack or worse lately. And I'd have to agree with gpshealy on the Colonel Reb thing.--shetownbucky

Old Miss is a reformed institution finding its way in the new south, a symbol of the old dixie doing good things for its state and and the old cotton belt. Regarding athletics, I was surprised at the shabby treatment of David Cutcliff. You'll have a new Athletic Director and football coach someday soon.--tennesseebadger

Ho-Hum academic institution as the "main state school". Stuck in an awful recruiting position in the SEC. --bdgrinmifl

Combads post sums it up. I live in the south and attending a fball game in the south vs the midwest is a night and day experience. Pressed Khakis, Polo shirts, Daddys little girl looking for her MRS degree and the Grove are what I think about. I still dont get why ANY africal american student would play at a school that fought so hard to keep the flag. Folks can call the Civil war whatever they want but to deny the slavery issue and its link to that war is wrong. DEAD wrong--buckyfever

Like all of the deep South to an old timer like me, the mention of it brings up early and, unfortunately, indelible images of black-and-white TV and non-violent "negro" protesters being mugged by officials with fire hoses and dogs and horses and clubs and the like. I think the reason these images won't go away is because TV was a new thing at the time that had captured everybody's imagination, I was young and innocent, and I just could not believe that human beings could do something as violent and hateful to others, and that this could happen in the U.S.A. Learning about it in hisotry books in grade school was one thing, having it happen in front of my eyes was something else. In short, I suffer from inappropriate prejudices built up long ago that I should put behind me. But they seem to be reinforced a little every time I see the state flag of Mississippi and run across people like the pathetic guy from the Citadel.--billbadger

Why do black parents encourage their children to go there?--Sports Fan24

Might be able to compete with the top SEC teams about once every 10 years, but tend to be a notch below the big boys (Florida, Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, LSU)--NYChez

As for Ole Miss I've always been a fan because my grade school/junior high Catholic school back in Beloit, WI. was nickednamed the Rebels and had Colonel Rebel as a mascot. I always sought out kindred spirits. And because I love underdogs and because Ole Miss has been an underdog when it comes to SEC sports, I loved them for that too.I am fairly young so I don't live everyday like its 1963. UW has had its share ugly incidents as well (Sterling Hall anyone?) so I don't begrudge Ole Miss' past problems either and leave them in the past. Both schools are changed places since the 1960s.--BadgerRepublic

(3) Would you like to play us in football or basketball in the future?

Yes to football. Basketball, I really don't know a thing about their BB program.--gpshealy

Basketball yes and football no.--shetownbucky

yes--tennesseebadger

Yes- especially football.--crazyatthecamp

Would love to play ya in both--grayslayer3

Absolutely. I think that would be a fun series for Ole Miss to visit Wisconsin, and vice versa...no matter what sport. Like an earlier post, OM is available in '08 and '09 - get something set up!!--ngosz

Yes, especially in football where I feel we need to increase scheduling schools from other BCS schools--shantydaze

Yes easy wins in both sports.--nubadger

I would like to see Wisconsin play Ole Miss in the future. However I would expect to hear the usual chorus that Wisconsin is playing a weak team from the SEC--Badger1964

Hell yes. Your coach is a recruiting expert, not a football expert. I've seen him more in Rivals magazines than big football games. Last year was a disaster.--agrostis

I wouldn't put Mississippi at the top of my list of potential opponents in either sport; I wish we'd play more often in the Mid-Atlantic area, since I live in Virginia. (Of course, those who live closer to Oxford may have a different view, lol.) However, any football game involving the Big Ten vs. SEC is a major event in my book (see below), so this would be an interesting, if unlikely, matchup.--OldBadger

Ole Miss would be a great SEC team to play, since I believe they will always have recruiting problems and less that stellar personnel. (two SEC schools drawing from a small population base, with less that average football tradition, and all the SEC and Texas school lurking around to steal your best athletes.)--bdgrinmifl

They are getting dangerous in basketball as is the whole SEC, thanks to an influx of Yankee coaches. Love to play 'em in both sports. It'd be Falconer vs Ambrose.--Combad57

Yes, that would certainly give me a reason to go there and check it out.--SouthernBucky

Yes and Yes- to play both teams in football and b-ball, why not, I still view Ole Miss as a pretty solid team.--Badger89

Considering Wisconsin's usual less than stellar NC opposition, I'd welcome playing Mississippi in football. In basketball we play a relatively strong NC schedule, but I certainly wouldn't mind a game. (But isn't Mississippi State the strong basketball school?)Only two SEC schools, Tennessee and Arkansas, play an adventurous NC football slate. I understand UT won't play a B10 school because of the chance of playing again in the Outback or CapOne on January 1. Maybe Arkansas would schedule a Big Ten team.--BigAppleBucky

Absolutely we'd like to play you. I'd have to believe that a few thousand Wisconsin fans would make the trip to Oxford.--NYChez

In a recent thread, I posted some possible opponents for our open dates in 08 & 09 and Ole Miss was one of the 5 or so BCS conference teams available. Our schedules need some upgrading, so if you have the Ole Miss AD's ear, Hotty Toddy, tell him to give Barry a call. Otherwise we'll probably end up with 1-AA teams.--SpudsBagder

I would play Ole Miss in football and basketball in a heartbeat. I've never been to Oxford but I hear a lot of good writers come from there and that gamedays there are special just like in Madison..It should be pointed out that many African-Americans who live in Wisconsin originally come from Mississippi, so our states share a connection.--BadgerRepublic

No, nothing to gain.--Sports Fan24

(4)What do you think about the SEC in general?

Good teams on the field.--gpshealy

Great teams but fans are too arrogant, close-minded (read think SEC is unbeatable, too fast, etc), and will always say their team lost the game rather than the opposing team won it.--shetownbucky

The SEC plays good football but no better than some other conferences. However its acadmeic standards are reputed to be lower than those other strong conference.--Badger1964

By far the craziest fans in the country. I think it's funny how schools trash others within the conference, but then stand up for them when it's bowl season or NCAA Tournament time. --ngosz

SEC is the best football conference in the country. Fans need to pressure their legislatures (Florida excluded) to fund academics more seriously. Tennessee and Old Miss are not regardeded the same way as Visrginia, North Carolina, or Wisconsin.--tennesseebadger

Horrible academics, Cocky Players, fast defensive lineman.--nubadger

Best football conference. Bottom dwellers still suck. Middle tier teams are stronger than other conferences most every year.--agrostis

like the SEC but the SURE EVERYONE CHEATS seems to be an acceptable mindset amongst fans. Tenn had what, 8% grad rates in the 2001 season and IMO, no one cares. I think the average alumn could care less and sees most of these kids as rentals/expendableBest conference year in and out but I think the b10 is as good year in and out. Wis is 2-2 in its last 4 games with AUx2, ark, uga) and 3 were VERY close and could have gone either way.B10 has a few bottom feeders but so does the SEC(vandy, miss state, Ole miss etc).--army1

The SEC is a great, intense football conference with many of the best programs in the country.--crazyatthecamp

SEC football is king right now, but that changes from year to year. They are always vying for the crown though.--SpudsBadger

I think of the SEC as the Big Ten's major off-field rival. By that I mean that we rarely see schools from those conferences playing each other during the regular season (the recent Indiana-Kentucky series was an exception, more an extension of basketball rather than football rivalry), but off the field the two conferences have the most clout. They have been 1-2 in attendance for decades; since Div. I-A was formed the Big Ten led all conferences from 1978-87, the SEC 1988-92, Big Ten 1993-97, SEC 1998-2006. In recent years both have averaged more than 70,000 per home game; no other conference has averaged 60,000. And those numbers are backed up by TV viewership, so that contracts with these two conferences are the most lucrative.On the field, the SEC has been better taking account of top to bottom quality of play. Teams such as Indiana have pulled down the Big Ten's overall strength. But it's been much more even among the top teams, especially as the Big Ten has gotten out of the "Big Two-Little Eight" era of the 1970s-80s. The annual bowl matchups between the two leagues are a highlight because of the paucity of in-season play. And in this decade, the record in those bowl games is even: Big Ten 11 wins, SEC 10. So, overall, I view the SEC as the top league in overall strength, and the main rival to the Big Ten.--OldBadger

Great athletics, not so good academics with Vandy being the exception to the rule.--Shantydaze

I think the SEC is the top football conference, even with our 3-1 bowl record. Probably not by much, and certainly not as much as their fans would believe, but I think it's the best. I think they have the best talent, particularly in the top 60% of the teams, but I think they're coaches are overrated.--bdgrinmifl

I think the SEC is a great football conference, and I would like to see more games scheduled with the Big 10 and Wisconsin. I think it would make the Big 10 a better conference.--billbadger

The SEC is always tough but the lovefest from the media and how it's the be-all, end-all of college football gets a bit much for me to bear.--SouthernBucky

SEC, very strong conference, probably #1 the last couple years but I always believe the Big 10 is right up there and sometimes #1 too. I believe SEC often gets the nod cuz they are so strong not just up top, but very balanced and solid toward the bottom too. Although I think the same for the Big-10 too and I think we prove it overall in bowl games. --Badger89

The SEC is probably the best athletic conference in the country.--Combad57

Best football conference, but not by as great a margin as SEC fans seem to think (# of NFL draft picks for SEC and Big Ten are about the same most years, plus SEC teams never play cold-weather games in Big Ten country).--NYChez

Great conference, but overhyped (not overrated).--Sports Fan24

(5) Have you ever visited Oxford on game day? If yes, what was your experience? If no, what have you heard about our gameday experience?

No, and haven't heard much about any of the gameday experience in SEC land except for people showing up on Wednesdays and Thursdays in their RVs and the people that go to the games in formal wear. I don't know if that applies to Ole Miss or not.--shetownbucky

No. Looks like a good time from the bits I've seen on TV.--SpudsBadger

Never been to or heard about Oxford--grayslayer3

Oxford is home to some great writers too--army1

I have not visited but want to some day. I understand it is much more laid back and personable than at UT.--tennesseebadger

Never heard much about Oxford Football Saturdays, but as a small town, I bet it's wild and fun.--bdgrinmifl

Been there but not on game day. The city didn't do much for me.--Sports Fan24

Have not visited Oxford. And I'd be interested if UW did play at Ole Miss.--ngosz

No have not been there, but sounds fun and would be cool to visit someday.--Badger89

Nope. But I would probably make the trip.--Combad57

I spent three months or so in Mississippi in the summer of 1969. Alas, it was mostly in Biloxi, where the highlight was a surprise visit from Camille and her 200 mph winds. I never got as far north as Oxford. I have read about the gameday there, which sounds like an unusual experience. I would think that a home-and-home series could provide culture shock to fans of both schools, lol.--OldBadger

No. I have heard there are a lot of incredible hotties present.--BobUW68

Yes. The Grove is the BEST tailgating experience I have witnessed anywhere. The women were all beautiful (albeit somewhat snooty) and the experience overall was pretty good. Every college football fan should tailgate in the Grove once in their lifetime. Also memorable was Barbara Bush giving the pregame address and hotty toddy!--crazyatthecamp

No, but being a college football fan, I would love to.--shantydaze

Have not visited, but heard it's the best gameday atmosphere in the SEC.--NYChez

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Ole Miss: How we are perceived III

Part III of the series: How we are perceived. In this blog I will post comments from Ohio State, Minnesota & Penn State fans. Below each section there will be a link to the message board(s) to discuss further.

Ohio State

Ole Miss and Ohio State have never met on the football field. Oxford and Columbus are 665 miles apart. According to google maps it is a 10.5 hour drive.

(1) What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Ole Miss?

land of QB transfers (Tennessee, Texas)--DoubleE

I think of the movie Mississippi Buring and good ol' boys who aint takin to kind to dem colored folk (not that the Midwest is much better)--mattatech

The Mannings--24springs

Beautiful campus, beautiful women, cool town.--GOBUCKS07

Beautiful women with awesome southern belle accents and William Faulkner--DaveyBoy

Confederate battle flag--kodok

Archie Manning and his boy--GoBucks187TTUN

The Rebels nickname comes to mind most for me. For some reason it never had a racially negative connotation to me even though I think the Confederate flag does.--gleszekod

Michael Oher (Just read the book about his recruitment to Ole Miss).--ysubuck

The beautiful women, bar none they are top notch.--sm00r

What comes to mind about Mississippi is the brutality and hangings of blacks circa 30s/40s/50 etc.to me the whole south sucks canal water.--poecozynook

Eli Manning and the LB you had last year..he was the best LB in the country and deserved the Lombardi over our guy.--naplesbuckeye2002

Growing up in the north, watching college football on Saturday afternoon and being amazed at the cheerleaders and other beautiful ladies in Oxford!--Atlabuck

The Chucky Mullins tragedy - one of the few things I know.--mwcturf

(2) What are your feelings about Ole Miss?

below average football team--DoubleE

No feelings, other then I think their football teams needs to cheat more in order to receive proper SEC affiliation--mattatech

I presented research at a regional History Conference there in 2001. I enjoyed the campus very much, thought the people were hospitable, and I had a good experience there overall. (my Father-In-Law played basketball there in the 60's). --GOBUCKS07

I live in Alabama and have had the pleasure of going to visit Mississippi State for a ball game. The stadium was almost a mirror image of Indiana's. Not really a bad seat in the house. Small town atmosphere...refreshing for a change. MSU cheese is delicious...they are a AG school. I know alot more about the Bulldogs than I do Ole' Miss. I know the Egg Bowl is huge for you guys. I know you have a solid tradition. Archie and Eli Manning always come to mind. I have seen pictures of Oxford and the campus is awesome. I know Mississippi H.S. football plays Bama in an all-star game just like oHIO DOES WITH pa...YOU GUYS USUALLY HOLD YOUR OWN. Ole Miss is usually a team that is liked and respected and isn't considered villainous unless your a bulldog fan. --devildogbuckeye

I tend to like Ole Miss better than Mississippi State--24springs

Growing up in the north - only heard about racial issues.--mwcuturf

Having visited the state many times and always rooting for the underdogs, I like Ole Miss!--Atlabuck

I actually like them and hope they have a solid season from time to time.--OSUdawg10

very nice campus situated near but not in Memphis with good academics and a very "preppy" student body--DaveyBoy

Don't have any feelings about Ole Miss..Would like them to be competitive in the SEC...Hiring Coach O was a good step. Tough to keep kids in your state from Auburn, Alabama, LSU and other SEC schools.--naplesbuckeye2002

Ole Miss seems like a second tier team in the SEC in football. I usually root for them over the top dogs. --gleszekod

Small venue. Would like to see them more competative.--GoBucks187TTUN

have heard of the "Grove" and the tailgating first hand from an Ole Miss grad. (close friend) The women aren't to shabby either. I thought your program was headed in the right direction then you fire the coach as soon as Manning left. I liked David Cutcliff, appeared to be a class act and he has one losing season and they dump him.Cutcliff went 44-29 with a +60% winning percentage in that conference is a job well done in my opinion. Good luck with Big Ed O at the helm! I also am aware that Ole Miss has not won a conference championship since 1963 ... that's a lot of suffering. Good luck in '07. I miss Colonel Reb!--texbuck

took them about 140 years to realize they had lost the Civil War--kodok

I don't know that much about Ole Miss, but from what I can tell they seem to have a good fanbase and are usually around the middle of the SEC standings.--UAGoldenBuckeye

(3) Would you like to play us in football or basketball in the future?

I'd like Ohio State to play Ole Miss in football--ysubuck

yes in a 2 for 1 deal (2 in Cbus)--DoubleE

Yes, I would love a good home and home with you guys.--GOBUCKS07

Sure. I wouldn't mind any SEC team in a home and home series. No offense, but you your conference(minus Tennessee) seems afraid to travel outside the South.--OSUdawg10

If i was AD at tOSU i would play you, and I would hope we get to visit Oxford too.--mattatech

Not really - would rather play about 8 other SEC teams first.--DA-Bucks

I would welcome a football series with Ole Miss. I wouldn't want the Rebels to replace a Texas or USC, but I'd favor them over playing yet another team from Ohio. I wish we'd only play one Ohio team a year --24springs

I would love playing Ole Miss. They are a really sucky team yet you get credit for beating a team from the SEC powerhouse conference.Ole Miss has lost seven or more games for each of the past three seasons....including two losses to Wyoming.A great situation for some team like WVU to schedule a sucky team and than beat their chest about playing and beating an SEC team. --Roady

Indifferent about football, but would like to see a game vs. Andy Kennedy and the basketball team.--sm00r

I would like to play as many SEC teams as we could as our record agains the SEC is lackluster...Would like to get South Carolina and Florida 1st to finish business.--naplesbuckeye2002

I liked when we played NC St. a few years back. I can't see them being the marquee OOC game, but I would certainly like to play Ole Miss more than BG. --gleszekod

I don't really see the point. Ole Miss isn't really on par with a program like Ohio State. I would enjoy a possible trip to Oxford. I have family in Biloxi.--GoBucks187TTUN

football = yes....but only in Columbus as Vaught-Hemingway is just too small--DaveyBoy

Why not? Easy wins against BCS teams are more respectable than easy wins over Div II teams.--kodok

I think it would be an interesting match up and would enjoy it!--Atlabuck

I think it may be good, but highly unlikely. I do remember we played in Basketball a few years back at that Holiday Shootout in Puerto Rico. --UAGoldenBuckeye

(4)What do you think about the SEC in general?

vastly overrated--DoubleE

Good football conference. Usually competative with the rest. Kentucky basketball has a big following in the Dayton area.--GoBucks187TTUN

The SEC is the strongest conference in college football, but I question a lot of their recruiting strategies (see the Michael Oher recruitment above).--ysubuck

I'm temporarily stuck in psuedo-SEC country (Lexington, KY), so what was once a degree of respect, has quickly turned into a source of contention between my friends and I. It's mostly friendly banter, but I can't help believe in the "overated" label. That, in my opinion, however, makes college ball so great!--GoBucks07

IF the SEC lost the championship game this year (2007) then the media would not be sucking the knob off the conference. The SEC is the most dedicated, as evidence by their cheating, but hardly better then any other top conference. I have plenty of data if you can to argue it.--mattatech

I like the SEC but to say that it is so far better than other conferences is a stretch. They have had some good years with Auburn and LSU getting back into the limelight and with Florida and the occasional Georgia run here and there. Everything is cyclical..the balance will swing to the Big Tweleve or Big Ten again at some point. Historically this has happened and we can not deny the past.--naplesbuckeye2002

In general, football is religion in the south and a Saturday place of worship. As far as teams go I follow Tennessee--sm00r

think they're a solid conference with a ton of tradition. I get tired of the inflated reputation from ESPN and their fans. If they actually travelled north or west for a quality game I'd have more respect for them.--OSUdawg10

Love the rabid fan bases, and the talent is top notch--24springs

the SEC is an outstanding conference athletically....but very mediocre academically....outstanding fan support....demographic swings have been on the side of for 30 years as the Southeast has been exploding--DaveyBoy

Great football conference. Though not as great as SEC fans think. But I don't really respect the academic prowess of graduates of most of the SEC schools.--kodok

The SEC is a great football conference. Tend to think a little highly of themselves but I love their passion for college football. Can't look around a lot of the scandels though.--UAGoldenBuckeye

The SEC is strong, but gets talked about too much. Not much is made when the conference doesn't have a good year (06), but when they do have a good year, it is made out to be like it happens every year.--gleszekod

(5) Have you ever visited Oxford on game day? If yes, what was your experience? If no, what have you heard about our gameday experience?

no, havnt herd a thing about gameday in oxford--DoubleE

have never went to Oxford but would love to. I heard about the a portion of gameday that the football team walks through and it resembles a miny parade.--mattatech

Never been, though I hear the scenery is something else.....--24springs

yes....beautiful Saturday experience...I still could never bring myself to wear a blazer and a tie to a football game--DaveyBoy

I have not been to an Ole Miss game but I have heard The Grove is a fantastic tailgate spot. Families have been going to the same spot on gameday for generations, sounds like a very neat tradition. --UAGoldenBuckeye

I have never been to Oxford. I have heard nothing about their gameday experience.--GoBucks187TTUN

I recently heard the gameday experience in Oxford is outstanding.--gleszekod

No I haven't. Sorry to say, I haven't talked to anyone that's been to Oxford.--OSUdawg10

I witnessed Spring Practice once while I was there. I was impressed with the enthusiasm, and maintain a good level of respect for Ole Miss program. (Most folks there were absolutely crazy about Deuce McAllister at the time... good stuff). --GOBUCKS07

No, but I would want to see the women. Did I mentione they were beautiful?--sm00r

No but I dated a girl that went there. She told me about the Grove and the walk the players do to the stadium. I think every school has some type of walk. I know about the Fraternities dressing up and kissing the girls when they score. Kinda cool.--naplesbuckeye2002

I've been to Oxford, but not on gameday but have friends that went there and have told me about it. Yours is a trowback to the 50s & 60s and would greatly enjoy experiencing a game day there!--Atlabuck

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Penn State

Penn State and Ole Miss haven't played in basketball or football recently. Oxford is 1,008 miles from State College, PA. According to google maps it is a 16 hour drive between the two universities.

(1) What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Ole Miss?

Love the unis. Hot cheerleaders.--mhentz

Southern Belles and Faulkner--SgtCarter

Racism--GuavaLion & 70sixers

Hot coeds, tailgating at the Grove--VaNtyLion

Racism, Archie Manning, Hot Babes--WoodPeker

The Mannings. The Grove. James Meredith. --NitneLiun

The Grove, hot cheerleaders, the Rebel flag--NewEnglandLion

That rebel mascot and Archie Manning/Eli as well--Nashville Lion

Red, White and Blue Uni's. Manning Southern Football--nittanyjoe

With the confederate flag waving all over the place, it's hard not to think of the hundreds of years of racism and predudice. --JoeHomsey

Eli Manning (I'm a Giants fan)--Viennalion

Colonel Reb, the red, white, and blue uniforms that I really like, Coach O's Hummer commercial.--michnittlion

Rebel Flag, Archie Manning, blonde southern belles with bouffant hairdos--psuro

Fine looking women, then William Faulkner, and then fine looking women.--Cosmos

Billy Brewer (didn't think you'd hear that on a PSU board, didja?)--Tulane

The Grove and Southern Bells--Brian LB-U

(2) What are your feelings about Ole Miss?

I wonder why they've never been able to build a successful football program. You'd think they could put together a winning season at least once in a while--mhentz

Tradition. Didn't they have the Stars&Bars on their helmet years ago? Arche Manning may have been their greatest player ever.--SgtCarter

I have no idea why black kids would go there.--70sixers

Pretty much indifferent...don't dislike or really like. I would much rather see them win than most of the rest of the SEC especially against Auburn, Florida, TN--Nashville Lion

They seem to be living in another century. The fans especially seem stuck in the antebellum South. It looks pretty at first, but as soon as you begin to know what it all represents, it creates a strong resentment.--JoeHomsey

Really don't have a lot of feelings one way or the other except I pull for 'em every time they play Mississippi State.--Brian LB-U

Nuetral as far as SEC schools go (and that's good).--Cosmos

Generally think of them as a bottom tier SEC school who might pull off an upset from time to time, but never seems to be in the hunt for a championship (basketball or football).--Viennalion

I love the rebel flag, colors, mascot. I wish they had more success.--LineMountain

Ole Miss -- great campus, great coeds, great alumni, average academics.--Tulane

None. Except get rid of the Rebel Flag.--psuro

Once upon a time a dominant program in the SEC but still have the ability to contend every couple of years. Still don't understand why Cutcliffe was let go. I have nothing against their desire to display the Confederate flag.--NewEnglandLion

I have seen two Ole Miss games live ... the inauguaral Motor City Bowl back at the Silverdome vs. Marshall and one in Oxford vs Memphis in 2002. Not a good impression. Waving the confederate flag and actually celebrating that made your fans seem to be stuck in the 19th Century. For all the talk about states rights and fighting Yankee opression, the old CSA sought to protect a dehuamnizing racist culture and people are right for being resentful at its celebration.--michnittlion

Tell your admin to bring back Colonel Reb --Dog of Sam

(3) Would you like to play us in football or basketball in the future?

nope. Nothing personal, mind you.--mhentz

Best conference top to bottom, but not because of "southern speed". Most years, the best 3 or 4 teams in the SEC are no better than most other conferences, and the bowl results prove it.--VaNtyLion

Need to play in football. Start pressuring your AD.--Cosmos

Sure, why not...would be fun to do a one (home) and one (away) with Ole Miss--Nashville Lion

Absolutely. I'm sure Ole Miss fans would love tailgating at PSU and PSU fans would love tailgating at Ole Miss. I guess hoops would be fine too. Wouldn't really be a headliner though.--NewEnglandLion

Hoops-psuro

Football -- would love it--Tulane

Football sure. BB-Ole Miss is better but would still play them.--SgtCarter

Sure, no offense, but if we play an SEC team home-and-home, I'd prefer a strong opponent. Not that Ole Miss couldn't become one, but they aren't there now. On a side note, it's very tough for Ole Miss to rise to the very top tier of the SEC, but Cutliffe really had them close. Firing him one year after Ole Miss was 1 play (against LSU) away from going 8-0(!!!) in the SEC is arguably the dumbest fire a school has made in recent history.--michnittlion

Would like to play you guys in football. The SEC fans and media hype talk a lot about SEC superiority, BUT as far as I can see, Ole Miss is at the bottom of a two tier conference.--JoeHomsey

FB: Yes, but it won't happen. You guys will never come north to play a ranked opponent. I'm surprised you even went as far north as Mizzou last year. BB: Sure, why not?--NitneLiun

Sure always enjoy playing teams we have never played or don't play regularly, especially from areas we don't have much exposure--Viennalion

(4)What do you think about the SEC in general?

No doubt it's a tough league to play in but it's nowhere near as dominating as SEC fans like to believe. Great fanbases and gameday atmospheres, BTW. It's a shame how it's almost impossible to get SEC teams to play outside the southeast region. We play Alabama from time to time and they'll be back on PSU's schedule in a few years, but nobody else in the SEC will even return our calls. We've had series's with Tenn and Kentucky but those were ages ago. We'd love to play Tennessee again, Fla, LSU, Auburn, UGA, etc. It'd be great for college football if the SEC ventured to play north of the Mason Dixon line from time to time.--mhentz

Great conference, but get tired of hearing about southern speed. SEC schools won't get my full respect until they start traveling north for out of conference games.--NitneLiun

Like it and respect the conference from an athletic standpoint.--Brian LB-U

The top conference more often than not but their hype machine would have us think they have the best conference every year without exception which is untrue.--SgtCarter

SEC - very good conference, but as another poster said, SEC fans are a little overconfident--Tulane

The SEC represents everything that's wrong with college football.--Cosmos

Tough conference year in and year out in football and have some of the best gameday venues in the nation.--NewEnglandLion

Loved our series with Bama. SEC fans are rabid - After the Florida route of OSU, I think everyone is going to forget that we beat Tennessee and Wisky beat Auburn in bowl games. --nittanyjoe

Cheat. And can't tackle PSU running backs.--psuro

See (2). Grove and the player walk are great traditions. Dressing up for a football game seems bizarre. Mississippi as a whole: just a completely different world from what I've known growing up and living in the North, and one I'm not very comfortable with.--michnittlion

Very strong sports teams, but question whether everything recruiting-wise (and otherwise) is above the table. Although priorities seem to be out of whack all over college sports, the SEC seems to be the poster child for this epidemic.--Viennalion

The SEC, in football, is overated. That comes about because of a firm belief of their own fans, and a propaganda oriented media network that has infiltrated the national sports media. The fact are this. SEC teams refuse to go outside their geographic area in OCC games. Troy St, Southern Mississippi and the Sun Belt teams should not even count toward the win/loss record. When SEC teams begin playing OSU, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, Southern Cal in OCC games and do so on a regular basis, then the SEC fans can talk. --JoeHomsey

I think the Big Ten and SEC are the two strongest football conferences. I get a little tired of the elitist attitude from SEC fans...the whole thought that they think they have so much more tradition than other conferences. I also get tired of the whole "we have more speed in the south" crap.--Nashville Lion

(5) Have you ever visited Oxford on game day? If yes, what was your experience? If no, what have you heard about our gameday experience?

Nope.....Honestly? nothing.--mhentz

I'd love to visit Oxford for a football weekend, but haven't gotten the chance.--VaNtyLion

No, I've heard that it is a great gameday experience (The Grove, player walk, hot women everywhere)--Woodpecker

I haven't been there but know many who have. They have all said what a great experience it was, especially the Grove and hot, promiscuous women.--NitneLiun

Never been but would like to see it!--Cosmos

I have partied in the Grove more than 10 times (grew up in Jackson...only Penn Stater in a 500 mile radius, no doubt).--Tulane

Never have but based on what I've heard I would like to. I've heard the stories about the Grove, the Southern belles, I'm guessing it would be a very memorable experience. My first trip to a SEC stadium will be Bama when we play them in '10 but Ole Miss would be one of the next one's I'd like to visit.--NewEnglandLion

Never went there...and doubtful I ever will. Atlanta was bad(I lived there for 6 years). Oxford and Mississippi in general remind me of the worst of American History.--JoeHomsey

Never been to Mississippi.--Viennalion

Hell No. Too many stories of racism!--70sixers

No, but I hear the Grove is one of the great institutions in all of CFB.--Brian LB-U

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Minnesota

Recently we played Minnesota at Minnesota in baseball. Other than that we haven't had much contact. Oxford to Minneapolis is 912 miles. Google maps says it takes 14.5 hours to drive between the two.

(1) What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Ole Miss?

Eli Manning--101stGopher

The Grove--soneillumn

The Confederate flag/ Confederate general and negative stereotypes that come with it. It may be small of me, but it's a little hard for me to overlook. Take that from someone who has relatives from Mississippi( Clarksdale, etc.), and ones who have attended Ole Miss. Was that always your mascot, or did it come later? Just curious.--STPGopherfan

Isn't that where they red-shirt Ms. America's ? Hot co-eds.--norman dale

(2) What are your feelings about Ole Miss?

I really don't have any. Ole Miss is a bottom-rung SEC team. Sort of the SEC equivalent of Indiana... Every once in awhile they have a decent season, but they can't sustain anything...--101stGopher

Very similar to Minnesota--both have gone a long time without a conference championship. They've had good teams but have not gone to the next level.--soneillum

Neutral. I don't really get to watch Ole Miss much to form an opinion. I see much more of Southern Miss(thanks to ESPN).--STPGopherfan

A school steeped in tradition's of the Old South.--norman dale

Never been there. Wouldnt mind playing you. May make a nice late Oct. trip. Mississippi high school ball may well be as good as any from coast to coast.--bob-39

(3) Would you like to play us in football or basketball in the future?

Not really since a win doesn't mean a lot but the risk of losing is high enough that it is a lose/lose for us.--101stGopher

Yes, both. Looking forward to improving the N/C schedule.--sonellium

It would be interesting to play you in both.--STPGopherfan

Would love a home and home in football --norman dale

(4)What do you think about the SEC in general?

Great football conference--101stGopher

Surely Everyone's Cheating. Seriously, though, the best conference in the country--soneillum

Overall I think the SEC is a strong athletic conference. Most partial to Alabama though. I had a coach who played there that I liked and respected.--STPgopherfan

Great athletics. Average academics.--norman dale

(5) Have you ever visited Oxford on game day? If yes, what was your experience? If no, what have you heard about our gameday experience?

Never been. I did go to the egg-bowl one year on Thanksgiving but it was at MSU. I heard that gameday is crazy there--101stGopher

No, I've heard it is among the best (at least tailgating-wise).--soneillumn

No. Not much. I've heard much more about games in Tuscaloosa(sp?) Knoxville, Gainesville, Athens, and Fayetteville.--STPgopherfan

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Ole Miss: How we are perceived, cont.

This is part II in my series: How we are perceived. I've asked all 11 Big 10 universities' fans what they think of Ole Miss sports. In the first blog I posted Illinois and Indiana's responses. In this blog I will look at Iowa, Michigan & Michigan State. As I said in the first blog, I will not make any comments on what their fans say. I will simply let them speak for themselves. I will post links to the message boards if you wish to discuss, shed light on or defend Ole Miss.

Iowa:

Iowa and Ole Miss have never met in football. I am not sure if they have ever played in basketball. Oxford and Iowa City are 613 miles apart and according to google maps a 9.5 hour drive.

(1) What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Ole Miss?

The Rebel Flag--Legend12

John Grisham--citizenHawk

Program with very little recent success, besides Cotton Bowl with ELi.Have not yet made strides with new coach, although there is hope. Willis was an amazing linebacker.--bdg8

Thousands of people waving Confederate Flags--uirx2002

The Egg Bowl--hawksurprize

Archie Manning and his homecoming queen wife (they rarely mention that during broadcasts.) LOL!!! But it probably should have been that disgraceful flag. --dtripp26

The Ole Miss campus is the prettiest and neatest in the USA....also, with the prettiest coeds!--hawkshoundstooth

Hot women.--rchawk

Colonel Reb...The Confederate Flag KEEP THEM! Good looking unis and legendary for good looking coeds--CloydWebb

Archie and Eli--HawkCub

Archie and Eli.--luvthehawks

Chucky Mullins-- R to the C

James Meredith --vbede772

I hear your women are incredible- and you dress up for games--Upside Job

Eli--HawkFan_08

Eli Manning--FlickShagwell

Is that where Scott McKinney is from.--ihawk in FWB

I think of cute girls......... Way back when I was in college, someone wrote an article (or book.. I have forgotten), which purported to give prospective college students the REAL scoop on where to go to college. I remember that Ole Miss was designated as the best destination based on this critical metric....... I remember, thinking Damn!! Why didn't someone tell me that while I was still in high school.--Titus Andronicus

My thoughts on Ol Miss are that you should not have let Rob Evans get away. Once he left, it was all downhill both for the Miss bball program and ASU's program.--YaleHawk

(2) What are your feelings about Ole Miss?

Thank you for Archie Manning--Legend12

out of sight, out of mind--citizenHawk

Have to resort to the Kansas State way of doing things. Taking players with questionable character, grades, etc. Or maybe that was Schaffer. --bdg8

Don't have strong feelings about Ole Miss - can't help but think it's a little backwards given the visibility of the Confederate flag. --uirx2002

It's a team I'd like to see become a contender in the SEC.--hawksurprize

Orgeron is probably going to land Ole Miss on probation and that flag needs to go. --dtripp26

Ole Miss has turned out some great alumni--hawkshoundstooth

Small enrollment school competing against giants (See: Vanderbilt, Northwestern etc)--CloydWebb

Don't really have any feeling on them--Hawkcubb

I am sorry about saying this but I think of Racisim.--luvthehawks

Pretty neutral, really. I think Orgeron (sp?) is going to get things going in the right direction.--R to the C

Below average state school with a superb campus.--vbede772

I don't mind them--Upside Job

I hate Eli after the 1st pick of the draft and his crying because he didn't want to play at San Diego. Honestly, I dont mind Ole Miss but I almost tend to favor MSU as of late. (i dont know if that is a big deal for you or not)--Hawkfan_08

I'd love to see them win the SEC in football.--ihawk in FWB

I like it and consider it one of the great State Universities in the nation.... from the point of view of obtaining that "Oh so critical" well rounded college experience.--Titus Andronicus

(3) Would you like to play us in football or basketball in the future?

Basketball.--Legend12

why not? I'd love if we played any SEC team--citizenHawk

I would like to. It would be fun to see a SEC game on the road.--bdg8

It wouldn't be a bad thing.--uirx2002

Yes. In football, aroad trip down Spouth would be fun.--hawksurprize

I'd love to. Playing Ole Miss would be a major step up from our current OOC schedule.--dtripp26

Wish Hawks would play Ole Miss in football--hawkshoundtooth

That would be a great series, especially in football. Make it a late September game though. The heat distracts me from ogling hot women. --rchawk

Yes.....in both--CloydWebb

Don't care one way or the other--Hawkcub

I would love to play Ole Miss in Football, we got Brad Banks from a Mississippi JC, we could use another southern state to help recruiting.-- luvthehawks

Absolutely. I would love to play Ole Miss in football.--R to the C

Yes, we have played Florida and LSU as of late. Would be some passionate football games. I really dont think of Ole Miss for basketball, just like you probably dont think of us.--Hawkfan_08

love to, but we only play bad teams in our non conference schedule. is ole miss going to be bad?--FlickShagwell

Bring on any SEC team.-- ihawk in FWB

You bet ........ I think they would be a great opponant for us. A big brand-name school with tradition..... Just far enough away to be an adventure and arrouse curiousity..... Particularly if we could drop the Iowa State game for you guys..... --Titus Andronicus

(4)What do you think about the SEC in general?

Crooked. Crooked. Crooked--Legend12

competitive football conference. some great games --citizenHawk

Crazy fans, questionable character, best football conference inn the country.--bdg8

Strong in athletics, poor in academics sans Vandy.--uirx2002

A Conference that's stuck on itself. --hawksurprize

Dirty rotton cheaters but great game-day atmosphere and amazing women.--dtripp26

SEC is a great conference, and is a strong football conference right now, but the BIG 10 does not take a backseat to anyone!! --hawkhoundstooth

Classic football and die-hard fans.--rchawk

You are a piece of chuck in a meat grinder conference, and will be battling uphill forever--CloydWebb

The conference is pompous and arrogant.--HawkCubb

Great Sports conference--luvthehawks

Exciting conference. Passionate fans.--R to the C

The poster child for Murray Sperber's thesis.--vbede772

I've been in Tennessee for the summer and I think that their fans are far more passionate about college sports and college football. Its a really cool conference, and they have a great rivalry with the b10. --Upside Job

SEC is a great and competitive conference. Academics is not a key factor outside of Vandy but not a big deal.--Hawkfan_08

hell of a football conference. great athletes, and their fans are dedicated.--FlickShagwell

I am jealous as hell of the SEC .... The Big Ten is supposed to be the premier conference in college football.... The SEC has risen to the point where this is less clear-cut....... But I think we are developing a pretty good rivalry given some of the recent bowl matchups. I am looking forward to settling a few scores.--Titus Andronicus

(5) Have you ever visited Oxford on game day? If yes, what was your experience? If no, what have you heard about our gameday experience?

Yes....I l-o-v-e women with Southern accents. --Legend12

I know nothing and have heard nothing.--bdg8

No, but I'd probably be a fan of any southern football venue. However, I'd probably choose LSU, SC, UGA, Tenn, FL and probably Bama before Ole Miss.--dtripp26

No, but a football series would be a great opportunity to do so. I've heard nothing but good about football Saturdays in Oxford.--rchawk

No....but I bet it's great!--CloydWebb

No, have heard that there is area that is the place to go. Officially a dry campus but people drink there anyway.--Hawkcub

No, but would love to, I hear it is a beautiful campus with many lovely ladies. I heard about the egg bowl and how the players walk to thge stadium with crowds lining both sides of the street welcoming them.--luvthehawks

Never been there. Haven't heard much about it.-- R to the C

No. I may have seen two games on TV. In one I distinctly remember thousands of people waving rebel flags while a mostly black football team ran out on the field. I thought that was interesting to say the least. --vbede772

No, but I'd really like to, and see first hand if the women are as good as advertised.--Upside Job

I have not been to an SEC stadium, but you guys have home games when you play in the south for bowl games so I kind of get the feeling.--Hawkfan_08

never been, but love the idea of the students dressing to the nines for games. sounds really cool. will probably never go, as i would have to actually physically BE in mississippi, but have heard that you guys do it up pretty big there.--FlickShagwell

No, it's great according to Scott McKinney.--ihawk in FWB

No ... I have watched games on TV and agree that it is one of those fabulous experiences that is unique to college football.--Titus Andronicus

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Hawkeye Report

Michigan:

The last and only time Ole Miss and Michigan played was in the 1991 Gator Bowl. Ole Miss fans would soon forget that game. We last played Michigan in basketball in 1980 in the Sugar Bowl tournament. Ole Miss won that game and also won the tournament. Oxford and Anne Arbor are 823 miles apart. According to google maps it's a 12.5 hour drive.

(1) What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Ole Miss?

That Chris Vernon youtube skit --MemphisGoBlue

I think tradition and an unfortunate slide. I also think "Hotty Toddy, gosh almighty (and then unfortunately, when's Ole Miss gonna beat somebody...it rhymes, which you know, is unfortunate). But seriously, I think of tradition on a rather unlucky slide--SocSikBlue

In order as they popped into my head: 1) Rebel mascot controversy, 2) 7 OT loss to Arkansas, 3) Pics of a drunken Eli Manning....probably not what you were hoping for, but thats what popped into my head. Its probably because we don't hear much about Ole Miss here outside of the things I mentioned. I like their uni's if thats any consolation.--BayAreaWolverine

Mannings--s.caro...verine

Chucky Mullins--desmondcharles

Eli Manning--wolve66

We kicked your butt in a bowl a few years back--HHVAWolve

Stars and Bars (Doesn't bother me one bit, but the old man looks like a worn our Colonel Sanders)--JoeTheWolf

first thing I think of? Probably the 1991 Gator Bowl and Michigan's 35-3 shellacking of the Rebels in a game that wasn't that close. Michigan had 715 yards of total offense on 85 plays including 391 yards rushing. I don't think we've cracked 300 in rushing and passing in the same game since then.--blockm2

stuck up hotties--NawlinsBlue

Hot southern girls--CZA_Behave

(2) What are your feelings about Ole Miss?

strong dislike --MemphisGoBlue

Seems like an old fashioned southern football (of footbaw) kind of place.--SocSkiBlue

I like em OK. I was just in Mississippi by the way. Had the best fried chicken I've ever had.--BayAreaWolverine

great fans (also being a South Carolina fan i met a few at the games)--s.caro...verine

Neutral, I don't hear/read too much about Ole Miss.--wolve66

Positive feelings--I remember when we played you in the bowl, your coach and fans were very gracious--HHVAWolve

Don't really have any.--JoeTheWolf

indifference. We just don't play Ole Miss and they aren't a national power in football or basketball so I rarely see them on TV, let alone think about them.--blockm2

generally a feeling of respect, a friend of mine went there--NawlinsBlue

Southern tradition--CZA_Behave

(3) Would you like to play us in football or basketball in the future?

no --MemphisGoBlue

For both, sure. Basketball could be ugly just because I haven't heard a lot about either team recently. Seems like we might not want to televise that one.--SocSkiBlue

Sure, that would be a fun game to watch. Never pictured playing Ole Miss till now.--BayAreaWolverine

sure--s.caro...varine

Football, but Ole Miss wouldn't be my first choice.--wolve66

Absolutely.--HHVAWolve

Sure, but some folks say we are afraid of anyone not in the MAC--JoeTheWolf

not high on my list of games to watch--blockm2

sure--NawlinsBlue

Yeah, but down the road once Coach O establishes the program a bit more.--CZA_Behave

(4)What do you think about the SEC in general?

generally favorable, with the exception of Rickyvol and the UF trolls that visit this site. --MemphisGoBlue

Ehh, fine with the conference in terms of pure standing, but not alright with the attitude of many of their fans. The SEC is not God's gift to man and it is not invincible. It is close to the top conference right now, but there are certainly many examples of it falling to supposedly weaker conferences. The idea of "Southern Speed" is laughable and any recruit that thinks that they can escape the cold has little to no chance of playing in the NFL.--SocSkiBlue

Over-rated. Thats not to say they're not good, they are, they've just done an excellent job of convincing people they're better than they really are. It kinda goes hand in hand with the 'southern speed' myth. We're constantly told we can't hang with their southern speed, yet we've beaten the SEC 4 of the last 5 times we've played them in bowl games. Maybe they do have 'southern speed', and it just doesn't matter when they play Michigan. I don't know what it is. I love their passion for college football in the south though. I also love southern food (my favorite)...that doesn't have anything to do with the SEC, but it should be noted that I love hush puppies.--BayAreaWolverine

the most balanced from top to bottom --s.caro...varine

I think it's a good conference, but it's not as great as some of the arrogant fans think.--desmondcharles

Unpredictable conference. The best team doesn't always win the title. Conference play seems to run in streaks.--wolve66

SEC is a great football conference but a little weak on academics, if I must be truthful--except for Vandy, which seems like a fish out of water in the SEC.--HHVAWolve

Good conf, but coocky fans make me hate it. I don't understand why they think their conf. is so much better than the others. I just don't get it. If (and when) we win a NC, we would/will brag about our team, not the Big 10.--JoeTheWolf

pretty much like the Big Ten with a few more lunatic fans who have never seen a game outside their own conference--blockm2

excellent conference, maybe the best some times, but overly worshiped by everyone in the media to a point that it is ridiculous--NawlinsBlue

SEC needs to realize they have an overall losing record to Michigan and stop pretending like they are the only conference in the country that plays top level football.--CZA_Behave

(5) Have you ever visited Oxford on game day? If yes, what was your experience? If no, what have you heard about our gameday experience?

I've never been there on a gameday, unfortunately. It is a really nice place, a classic southern campus. I enjoyed Oxford as well. People on campus were very friendly. The girls certainly lived up to their reputation looks wise. I would enjoy playing Ole Miss in football. I root for you guys and have contempt for any cow-school abbreviated MSU. We have one of those up here as well.--knoxblue

no, but I hear the Grove is nice.--MemphisGoBlue

Can't say I have, but I have only heard good things. Would like to in the future for sure.--SocSkiBlue

No. Haven't heard anything about it.--BayAreaWolverine

no but i have heard the grove is a blast--s.caro...varine

I never been there , but like most fans in the south you guys are very into your sports teams.--desmondcharles

No, I haven't heard of the game day atmosphere.--wolve66

Nope--I am sure it is beautiful and steeped in history--Faulkner comes to mind.--HHVAWolve

Never been to Oxford, but would like to. Haven't heard anything about the gameday experience. At least none that I can recall--JoeTheWolf

yes, I've been. Not quite my cup of tea. I'd rather wear jeans and drink beer and throw a football around before a game. Too many people too dressed up IMHO for football. It's a pretty area, but not a real football atmosphere if you ask me.--blockm2

I have been to the grove one time many, many years ago, but never inside the stadium. I had good time, I recall there was some drinking involved- maybe more than a little. That's all I remember:)--NawlinsBlue

No, my uncle did and highly recommended it though.--CZA_Behave

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The Wolverine

Michigan State

We have never played Michigan State in football and I don't remember playing them in Basketball either. Ole Miss and MSU played in the 1999 NCAA tournament. MSU, the second seed, beat Ole Miss in the second round. Oxford and East Lansing are 805 miles apart. According to google maps the driving time is just over 12 hours.

(1) What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Ole Miss

Beautiful women.--rearvu

Deep southern tradition. About as southern as southern can get.--Bleedgreen1

Manning.--TampaSpartan

(2) What are your feelings about Ole Miss?

I do not know why in the world they fired Cutcliff.--TampaSpartan

Seems like they haven't been relevant in football and baseball for awhile now so I really don't have any strong feelings one way or another.--bleedgreen1

The last bastion of collegiate confederacy in the south.--rearvu

(3) Would you like to play us in football or basketball in the future?

Certainly, if you agree to play the East Lansing home and home football date in mid November.--rearvu

Sure why not. I don't think we've ever played each other before. I don't think a rivaly would start, b/c of geography, and we really don't recruit in Mississippi (in either football or basketball) but it would be a good thing to do.--bleedgreen1

I'll take basketball!--TampaSpartan

(4)What do you think about the SEC in general?

I live in Florida, the SEC is packed with talent and great coaches.--TampaSpartan

Good conference as far as athletic teams. Academics are lacking. I get the impression that the football teams are a little shady, but I can't think of anything specific right now. The fans give the impression that the SEC is the best at everything and every other conference sucks.--bleedgreen1

Its good--rearvu

(5) Have you ever visited Oxford on game day? If yes, what was your experience? If no, what have you heard about our gameday experience?

No.--TampaSpartan

Yes I have in 1996 when they played Alabama. My roommate in law school grew up in Mississippi and graduated from Alabama. I had a very positive experience. Three things stick out in my mind: (1) The weather. For us up here, we expect football to be played in cold weather. People go to games bundled up typically (except for maybe the first four games or so). The weather in Oxford was beautiful, warm and sunny. Really seemed odd to me; (2) People dressed for the games like they were going on a first date to some fancy restaurant. I saw so many females in dresses and males in ties I couldn't believe it. Up here, like I said, people bundle up for the games. Even when the weather is warm for a game, people go to the games in a tee-shirt and shorts. My roommate said that nothing special was happening that day, it was just a normal occurence. (3) Very good looking women. Maybe that had something to do with the females being all dolled up, but it certainly left a strong impression on me 11 years later!; (4) Confederate flags. They passed out confederate flags out to everyone who entered the stadium. Just about the whole Ole Miss section was waving confederate flags during the game. I hear they stopped that practice since that time though; (5) Very nice people.--bleedgreen1

No, but I hear it is wonderful.--rearvu

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