What Ole Miss fans think about the Big East.

Over the past few days, each Big East football member's fans have discussed their opinion on Ole Miss and the SEC. It's now time for Ole Miss fans to share their feelings about the Big East and its football universities.

(1) What do you think of the Big East as a football conference?

In Football, I consider the Big East "top heavy" and #6 of the 6 BSC Conferences. Historically, I consider Syracuse, West Virginia & Pitt the top Football schools in the Big East. Louisville being the new kid on the block falls right behind those three. Again, Historically, Cincinnati, & Rutgers have not done that well, and South Florida and UConn are too new to Division I Football for me to really have an opinion.-SnapperReb

The Big East seams to be an up and coming conference. They have had a couple pretty good teams the last couple of years. They always seam to choke at the end though.-chumanfu2000

When I think of the Big East I think "the Big Joke." Their in-conference schedule is so embarrassing I can't believe that WVU was even considered for the National Championship game recently. All offense and absolutely ZERO defense (see Louisville last year). Go check their schedules and tell me that any single team plays more than three truly tough games a year. You can't, so don't bother trying.-MobTown Reb

I feel like it as known as the "Big Least" for a reason. I can't believe that they get an automatic bcs game with that kind of conference schedule.-smokerjoe

not a particularly strong football conference, but a few quality programs. I'm sure Big Easterners don't want to hear this but when I think of the big east as a whole, the only thing that really comes to mind is basketball.-KobanT...barian

When the Big East pops into my head I immediately think the "Big Least" since they've lost the only hopes of being considered with the big boys when Va. Tech and Miami left. The conference wasn't that great then. Look at what Miami's done since facing decent competition. Nothing. That said, there are some high quality teams/programs, just not enough of them. I have to admit that I've become a Rutgers fan with their emergence. Leonard and Rice are two of the most exciting players I've seen and I can't imagine having a more potent backfield duo. The Big East is a good conference, just not great. I hate to say it, but after the re-structuring, it is basically an upgraded C-USA with WVU's gimmick offense as an example. Basically, it's a C-USA/Big East/MAC hybrid. Kick out some of the C-USA teams, get Va. Tech and Miami back, and add Notre Dame and you'd be on par with the Big 10. Pitt messed up by not keeping Harris. USF will probably end up owning the conference with their ability to keep reeling in FL athletes.-whacko

Do they play football? Really? When did that happen?-72reb

USF and Rutgers being good last year. That just sounds weak.-Alry45

I think of how knowledgeless some of those people are. Big East has great Basketball, decent but still poor football, and bad baseball. Don't really give a flip about the Big East other than they need to understand their position, step-child.-Rebel5

Recent luck, but overall suck.-Rebsrockem

I think that SEC fans as a whole give the East as little credit as they can. It's a conference on the rise. WVU and USF are recruiting good speed out of the south and it's a matter of time before Cinci and UConn have good teams year in and year out. I think it steams a lot of SEC fans that the good teams in the Big East are the minority but I don't think that is anything that the fans can help. I think that it's a lot like the PAC 10 in that it is an offense based league with out a lot of defense unlike the SEC. They have some truly inventive offenses in the conference. -KentuckyReb

It is top heavy and has some good offenses with no defenses.-Indiana Rebel

Hard to judge base upon how bad we have been lately. We could have possibly lost to 5 of those teams last year in football. Appears to be a balanced conference. Would like to schedule West Virginia, Syracuse, and Pitt in football. Cincinnati, Louisville, and UConn are very good basketball programs.-GoodOReb

None of the other teams excite me in football. I'm not saying the other team are not "good enough", I would just rather play an ACC team given the choice.-2001OleMissGrad

Thursday night football helps me get through the week.-As I Lay Dying

Up and coming conference that seems to be innovative offensively. Not quite ready for the rigors of BIG league play week after week.-BobbyBacala

Weak conference that is getting better, but could not play with the big boys week in and week out.-tsreb

I will say that the Big East has definitely supplanted the ACC for the right to claim 5th best BCS football conference.-GroveReb84

I think it is is a pretty decent football league. There are some really good young coaches there(USF, Rutgers, Cincinnati). I do not think any of them will be consistently rated among the top 25, with the possible exception of Pitt and USF. Louisville has had some good teams in recent years, but I do not expect them to be that good year in, year out. There is simply not enough talent in Kentucky to keep them there, and it is not realistic to expect them to take elite prospects from surrounding states. USF is located in a goldmine for talent, and it would not be surprise me to see them hang around the top 25. What may really affect them is the re-emergence of Miami. Cincinnati have a good coach there, but play in the shadows of the Buckeyes. It is hard for me to see them much better than what they had last year. Pitt probably has the best chance to stay strong for the next few years. There is a lot of talent in Pennsylvania, and Penn State cannot sign all of it(although they will get the majority of it). Rutgers- I really like their HC. I expect them to stay in the upper half of the league, although some years will be better than others.WVA is on the upswing, but remind me a lot of Louisville in that there is not much high school talent to draw upon there. I expect them to remain competitive, but nowhere close to where the have been recently. Syracuse will likely have to make a decision on a coach after the year. I have enjoyed watching them in the past-especially when McNabb was there.UCONN- I think they are a solid team, and appear to be well coached, but fall in the same boat as the Cardinals and Mountaineers. All around a good conference that will have a lot of teams who will be up and down in the future.-zricz

There is always a few good teams, but top to bottom, its not very strong. -Reb4DaleMurphy

The Big East is a conference trying to redefine itself. If this were the the NBA the Miami, VaTEch and BC for UConn, S Fla, Cincy and Rutgers trade would have never been approved. Those three defections nearly killed the conference.-IronCityReb

The Big East took a big blow when it lost Miami, V Tech and BC, but it's on the rebound. This is not just a one-team conference as some may think. However, WVU is the only team that can consistently compete with the bigger BCS programs right now. Being a BCS school, however, the Big East will eventually bring up some of these former mid-major schools it now has and make them future title contenders. Right now, however, there is no doubt they are the weakest BCS conference.-YeeOleMiss5

I think the Big Least should stick to basketball. WVU is the only team capable of going toe to toe with the top 5 teams in our conference and they may have lots of trouble with them too. Add in a coaching change and there goes your best team. When BC, Miami, and Va. Tech left the automatic Big Least bid should have been revoked.-ozzy2378

A great basketball conference that is starting to have an impact in football. I'd play any of them any time, any where. -mredge

(2) What's the first thing that comes to mind when I mention the following teams and what general impression do you have of each team? Also would you like to play each team in football?

(a) Cincinnati

Struggles to find Football Identity. When I was in school they were everyones Homecoming Opponent. Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb

What can you say about Cincinnati. They are doing an alright job of trying to be a 1A team. Still have a long way to go. We used to play them when I was playing at Murray State. They were still 1AA then. Hope they have have put a lot of money into the stadium there, it was a rat hole then.-chumanfu2000

Bob Huggins-smokerjoe

Cincy-Bob Huggins-surprisingly good last year in football. Thanks for letting us have Andy-don;t have much desire to play them in football-KobanT...barian

Cincinnati nothing comes to mind-72reb

Bob Huggins, don't really feel one way or another. I guess I wouldn't mind if we played them in football, my jaw wouldn't drop if I saw them on the schedule.-Alry45

I hope they enjoyed Andy, goofed by not hiring him. Impression is better than good. Yes in football. Go Bearcats!-Rebsrockem

Good coach in football. Team on the rise. Thanx for Andy Kennedy.-KentuckyReb

Had a huge win a few years back (I think Ohio State but I'm not sure) really a BBall school.-Indiana Rebel

Steve Logan is/was an animal -As I Lay Dying

Not much in the way of football. Tough traditional basketball school. I wouldn't mind playing them.-BobbyBacala

They have a good year about every five. Defenses have been pretty good at times. Commuter school.-tsreb

They were stupid enough to fire Andy Kennedy and allow us to hire him-Reb4DaleMurphy

The Wake transfer, Mauck, comes to mind. He definitely helped that team post a record that many would have said would be unrealistic. I'd love to play them in football.-YeeOleMiss5

Cincinnati? I didn't even know they had a football team.-ozzy2378

They face a tough row to hoe since they are in a NFL market-mredge

(b) Louisville

Up and coming Football school where Hoops still is priority. Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb

Louisville has been pretty consistant the last few years. They always seam to have a good QB. When I was going to school in Kentucky the people from the Ville always seamed cocky and wanted people to think Louisville was like a New York or Chicago or something.-chumanfu2000

Rick Pitino-smokerjoe

Basketball-Notorious trash talkers with little to back it up. Patrino. had a brief run of success that allowed them to escape the black hole that is CUSA. I've been to Louisville and it reminded me a lot of millington and frayser. don't care much about playing them in football-KobanT...barian

Louisville Petrino gave them the shaft-72reb

Rick Petino. Im seeing a trend that Big East basketball coaches come to mind before anything related to football. I would like to play them, they have been fairly solid the past couple of years.-Alry45

Over.......Rated. Almost as arrogant as Alabama, without the history. They are equal to Moo U (Miss. State) of the SEC. They have a great baseball coach. Impression is not good. Bring them on in football.-Rebsrockem

lived there for five years. Fans are some of the biggest bandwagoners I've ever been around. They have the biggest chip on there shoulder as far as football I have ever seen, which can be a good thing. I think this is caused by the local UK fans.-KentuckyReb

Good offenses and QB's. Kind of a comuter school.-Indiana Rebel

Birds-As I Lay Dying

Riding a pretty good wave of success the last few years in football. I still think of them as a basketball school first. Denny Crum was one of the best coaches in NCAA history. Would love to get a series going with them in both sports.-BobbyBacala

Really had a couple of good years, but no real history. Help prop up their conference-tsreb

Dan McDonnell coaches there, they have one of the best AD's in the country. Recently have had good teams in all 3 sports.-Reb4DaleMurphy

Oy, oh, boy...did Louisville ever find out that a BCS conference is much harder than C-USA. I usually cheer for them, though, b/c my father took some crime prevention technology courses there. Too bad they have to admit they were ever associated with that slime bag, Petrino. I'd play them in a heartbeat.-YeeOleMiss5

They're ok but like another poster said they found out pretty quick that beating up on the Conference of Unwanted Schools of America is a lot easier than playing BCS level opponents (If you can call Big Least conference games "BCS level"-ozzy2378

Excellent AD who seems to make all the right moves. I'm not sure about the present head coach, but the AD will not let a loser hang on too long.-mredge

(c) West Virginia

Traditionally a tough Football team. We owe them one from the Music City Bowl. Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb

They have been the best for the longest of the whole Big East bunch. Always do pretty well. I remember a few years ago they played Florida in the sugar bowl and I got to go with a Gator uddy of mine. They scored first then Florida drove down and scored with out even throwing a pass. I told the guys in front of us it was going to be a long day if Spurier could move the ball without throwing it. The gators went on to low them out.Maybe this is when some of the WV fans grew the hate they seam to have for the SEC. Probably my 2nd Favorite BEC team behind S Florida.-chumanfu2000

Don Nalen and our matchup in the Music City Bowl-smokerjoe

party school that lights couches on fire. helped Marshall out of a tragic situation. got shafted by Rich Rod I would like to play them mostly because I have friends who attended WVU and I'd imagine it be fun to burn a couch or a mattress.-KobanT...barian

West Virginia nothing comes to mind-72reb

Kevin Pittsnogle and Rich Rod. I would love to play them in football. Love the offense they run.-Alry45

Recent success in football, speedy team. Impression is good. Yes in football.-Rebsrockem

Probably the closest to SEC fans that I have been around outside the SEC. I am going up there for the Auburn game this year with my father and can't wait. I will never forget Kevin Pitsnoggle (sp?) Quite possibly the ugliest bball player i've ever seen. ha. And also the ass whoopins ya'll have put on UGA, Ok, us, MSU etc. Very good team that SEC fans don't want to acknowledge as good. -KentuckyReb

Great running backs. Great people and like to burn crap when they win a big game!-Indiana Rebel

Pitznogle-As I Lay Dying

Really good football tradition. Hard nosed. Would love to avenge the Music City Bowl. A win over WVU would be a big win.-BobbyBacala

The only team in the conference that is really legit lately. Strength of their conference.-tsreb

They've been a good football team recently, will be interesting to see them without Rodriguez. I thought they would have gone out and hired someone better-Reb4DaleMurphy

Best team in the Big East; needless to say, they definitely carry the conference banner proudly. Nonetheless, USF's defensive coordinator seems to have found their offensive secret to success. Oh, and if Eli Manning would have started that Music City Bowl, they wouldn't have won. They couldn't stop him. I wouldn't mind playing them, but I'd rather it be a few years from now since they just played State (sorry for you having to meet their toothless fans, by the way).-YeeOleMiss5

Played a great quarter against UGA in the Sugar Bowl and beat an overrated Oklahoma team. Brightest star in an otherwise dull conference sky.-ozzy2378

Best football tradition in the Big East. -mredge

(d) Syracuse

Traditionally a very tough Football team with lots of history. They've dominated their Conference over the years. Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb



They are a fine basketball school, not so much in football. They have always seamed to be pretty good against the spread at home tough. -chumanfu2000


Jim Boeheim -smokerjoe


a once good team that has fallen a LONG way-indifferent about playing them.-KobanT...barian


Syracuse nothing comes to mind-72reb


Jim Boeheim. You guys should probably just stick to basketball. No I wouldn't want to play them in football because I know they would want to play one game up there and who wants to travel all the way up to New York just to watch a bad Syracuse team.-Alry45


That big orange walkin' around aimlessly. Impression is fair. Yes to football.-Rebsrockem


Used to have cool unis. Good basketball school. -KentuckyReb


Basketball and Donavan McNabb-Indiana Rebel


D. McNabb & need new uniforms badly-As I Lay Dying


I think of Boeheim and the great basketball teams first, but the 'Cuse did produce Jim Brown and John Mackey, two of the greatest at their positions of all time. Would love to play them.-BobbyBacala


doormat of D1 football. I get the impression that football here is just something to do until basketball season.-tsreb


That big orange globe mascot thing they have-Reb4DaleMurphy


Donovan McNabb, Carmelo Anthony... I'd play them in football, but wouldn't expect them to be nearly as competitive against us as their old teams would have been.-YeeOleMiss5


Haven't been worth a crap since Donovan McNabb and still weren't that great with him.-ozzy2378

Very much like Ole Miss. Their best days were decades ago. They may face an even tougher struggle to come back than Ole Miss.-mredge

(e) Pitt

Fairly tough Football team that is trying to regain their old form. The Panthers have some good Football history. Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb



Pittsburg has more tradition than any of these other BEC schools. Marino and Dorsett put them on the map then they went away for a long time kinda like Ole Miss in the 80's. I think they tend to be overrated by the east coast media when they do have a decent season. I think Wanstadt (sp) will have some wins if he stays very long.-chumanfu2000


Wannstedt's struggles-smokerjoe


another team with sporadic periods of success- overshadowed by Penn St. I have tons of family in Pittsburgh and love the city-playing them would be fun for me but I doubt many other rebel fans would care much.-KobanT...barian


Pitt Jackie Sherrill cheating big time-72reb


Dave Wannstedt. No real feelings about Pitt. Wouldn't mind playing them one way or another.-Alry45


Dave W. and Tony Dorsett. Impression is fair. Yest to football.-Rebsrockem


There post on your blog made them come off as a bunch of a holes, but hell Im sure ours will portray the same image. Larry Fitzgerald was good but other than him in the last 2o years nothing to write home about. -KentuckyReb


Will show up every so often with a good year, The great receiver that played there and now plays for the AZ Cardnials I believe.-Indiana Rebel


Waiting for them to return to the scene-As I Lay Dying


Makes me think of Hugh Green first and foremost. Dan Marino next. Good history, tough school. Would love to play them and beat them because it would be like sticking it to Jackie Wayne again.-BobbyBacala


Best history of the league. Had a couple of flash in the pan teams lately, but I don't think they will stick as a good team. Maybe I'm wrong, and I hope that I am.-tsreb


They have always have a good hoops team. Football they've stuggled recently-Reb4DaleMurphy


My boy, Dan Marino, and that turd, Mark May. My girlfriend's from there too. I honestly didn't expect Wannstedt to do as well as he has, but they've got a long way to go. Funny thing is...I read where some Pitt fans talked trash about Ole Miss, but have nowhere near the same history. Some of their fans are just like many people around the nation: they forgot that Ole Miss was a mainstay in the postseason before Orgeron got here a few years ago. I'd love to play them. A win would give me bragging rights over my girlfriend's family.-YeeOleMiss5


Can they rewind to the 70s? Does Marino or Dorsett have anymore eligibility? -ozzy2378

Another school whose best days are in the past. In addition, they are in an NFL market which makes creating a strong fan base tough.-mredge

(f) Rutgers
"Flavor of the month." They appear to have a good young coach. They've been tough recently, but can the continue to win? Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb



Rutgers has had a couple of good seasons the last 2 years. I'm anxious to see what they do this year. They are also overated by no fault of their own, the media from New York wants them to be good really bad to give that area some kind of presence on the college football world. We will see what they do now that Ray Rice is in the NFL.-chumanfu2000


Women's basketball and the Don Imus story-smokerjoe


Hardly knew they played football a few years ago, and now they're a power team in a minor BCS conference. chop wood. - Love their coach but don't have any real desire to play them.-KobanT...barian


Rutgers nothing comes to mind-72reb


Nothing comes to mind really when I think of Rutgers. I guess I would like to play them in football since they have been decent recently.-Alry45


Over.......rated, but not quite as bad as U of L. Impression is fair. Yes to football.-Rebsrockem


Wow, what a turnaround this program has done in recent memory. I can't think of a school that has done a better 180 than Rutgers-KentuckyReb


The huge upset win they had a few years ago when they flooded the field after the game & a great football coach.-Indiana Rebel


DC Jefferson-As I Lay Dying


Good run lately. Not much tradition. Had a physics instructor that graduated from there. He was a jerk. Why not play them?-BobbyBacala


Had the best teams in their history by far the last couple of years. Being in the Big East as it is now should help them remain respectable records.-tsreb


Used to be terrible, but have turned it around recently-Reb4DaleMurphy


Intriguing program, Tony Soprano, etc. all come to mind. Oh, and you're welcome for Eli. Rutgers fans have popped from out of the woodwork the last few years. They are putting together an excellent recruiting class, though. So, while losing Ray Rice may hurt them now, they will compete again in a couple of years. I'd like to play them, but don't really desire a trip to Jersey. Come to the Grove! We'll treat you right.-YeeOleMiss5


one good season in a long line of bad ones. I bet they'd love to have homestate phenom Knowshawn Moreno.-ozzy2378

I don't know how these people can say Rutgers doesn't have a great football tradition. That maybe true lately, but they did happen to play in the FIRST college football game with Princeton.-mredge

(g)South Florida

Not a lot going for them on the gridiron. HUGE school (enrollment wise...over 45,000), but they get lost in the Florida Football mix with Florida, Florida State and Miami. Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb



South Florida set the CFB world on fire early last year and tanked. That want happen often in a conference like this. They will be the USC of this conference very soon. To much talent n this state not to. They have only been playing 1A ball afew years and look where they are now. WOW! I pull for them above all the others in the BEC.-chumanfu2000


Don't know much, overachieving football team last year-smokerjoe


USSF good team but like most Big East teams I don't follow them much and playing them would just be another game to me.-KobanT...barian


nothing comes to mind-72reb


Tampa Bay. Really becoming a player in Florida recruiting, just look at their commits right now. Id like to play them in football, who wouldn't want to take a road trip down to south Florida for a game?-Alry45


Luck will run out, but welcomed surprise. Impression is good. Yes to football.-Rebsrockem


People better watch out because there location will alow them to recruit the one think that not many teams up north have. Speed, speed and more speed. This team is the next WVU. -KentuckyReb


School on the rise. They have had great recruiting over the past few years. They were fun to watch last year.-Indiana Rebel


non-qualifer/partial qualifer U-As I Lay Dying


Too new to have much of a thought one way or the other. They have the money and location to be a player in the future. Look out for them. I say play 'em.-BobbyBacala


This team has the potential to really skyrocket. They have a great recruiting area and are starting to get some respect. The rest of the Big East may soon come to regret letting them in.-tsreb


Up and comer in the football world. Have a huge talent base-Reb4DaleMurphy


USF, Grothe, and their incredible DE, Selvie--who had 31.5 TFLs and 14.5 sacks last year--are showing they are here to stay. I'd be thrilled to play them.-YeeOleMiss5


Had a good year last year. Believe the Auburn game would rarely turn out the way it did last year for South Florida. Rising star but keep proving it to me. I'm not convinced.-ozzy2378

Right now they are #4 in Florida but they are about to kick some one to the curb. I wonder whether it will be Florida State or Miami-mredge

(h)UConn

Won some games they probably should not have won, but still too new to Big Time College Football. Also very much a Hoops school, moreso then Louisville. Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb


UCONN is another basketball school. They did have a good year last year or the year before. ESPN loves them cause they are from the same state. Do not really know much about them.-chumanfu2000

basketball, basketball, basketball-smokerjoe



Uconn-basketball-KobanT...barian


nothing comes to mind-72reb


Basketball being king. Suprised about their good year in football last year. Wouldn't want to play them in football because it's way too cold up there and its too far to get in a car to drive.-Alry45


Basketball school and a darn good one. Impression is good. Yes to football.-Rebsrockem


Another team that is going to be a player in the next ten years. I went to school with a girl from Boston who now works in their AD and she says that they are tirelessly doing everything that they can to build something special in there football program.-KentuckyReb


Basketball school period, and pretty good at that.-Indiana Rebel


Liked watching there football team play last season-As I Lay Dying


Basketball all the way. Could have moderate success in football. Why not?-BobbyBacala


Waiting for basketball. Their football history is awful, but a couple of pretty good teams recently. No big wins.-tsreb


Basketball school, getting better in football -Reb4DaleMurphy


Need to stick to basketball...I don't expect them to even repeat their moderate success of last year b/c the rest of the teams in the Big East (save Syracuse) are passing them by. I don't see what we'd gain out of this game. A historically strong SEC team on the verge of the top 25 in all-time victories (that has 30 bowl appearances) vs. a traditional basketball school. We are currently bringing our program back up, and it will again resemble our teams of the '90s and early 2000's. How bad would our OOC schedule look with UConn on it when we had a winning record against teams like LSU in the 90s?-YeeOleMiss5

stick to basketball-ozzy2378

I just don't see football as happening big here.-mredge

Other comments:

I would not mind playing South Florida, West Virginia or Pitt 1 for 1 in football. Although I see no reason to do it after September, its to cold in Pitt and WV, Now a trip to South Florida would be great late in the season. Don't care who we play in Basketball even though Coach K will have a really good team in the next couple of years.-chumanfu2000



I don't feel strongly about playing any of these teams in football. I guess I would like a chance to get back at WV for that bowl game loss they gave us a few years ago.-smokerjoe


Don't care. It may give us exposure in a new part of the country, but I can't really get excited about playing any of those teams.-72reb


I would love to play any of the Big East teams as long as it was home and away for both football and basketball.-tsreb


I'd like to play any of these schools in football. I like playing teams we don't usually play. -Reb4DaleMurphy


Cincy, Pitt and UConn are all urban schools and have a lot of difficulty filling up their stadiums. If it weren't for Notre Dame and and West Va, Pitt would average less than 25k per game. Louisville gambled on Schnellenberger and hit a home run. Their Fiesta Bowl win over Alabama put them on the map. Then they got lucky with Indiana and Kentucky. Both of those schools were terrible in ALL phase of the game. Bad athletes, bad coaches and even worse recruiting. Louisville was in the right place at the right time. If Kentucky has a resurrgence and if Indiana improves only marginally, then Louisville will suffer. Rutgers will collaspe when Schiano(sp) leaves for Penn State. Syracuse is nearly as bad as their uniforms are ugly and as long as they are in upper state NY they will never recruit well. West Virginia has it figured out and is dialed in for long term success. They would be a very nice addition to the SEC. THey are the only Big East team to consistantly sell out every home game.I would love to play Pitt on a regular basis. There is a glut of talent in Western Pa. There are over 180 football playing high schools in the WPIAL. At one time there were 240 school but many consolidated. Ole Miss could go into that area and clean house. I was dissapointed when we had an opportunity to sign Bill Stull but then passed on him. I thought it would have been a good strategic recruiting move had he been able to win a starting spot at Ole Miss. -IronCityReb


Bottom line. Big Least has 2 teams that MAY be able to compete against the likes of UGA, LSU, Auburn, and either UTrash or Bama. Compare that to the SEC having 3 or 4 other teams not listed that can beat their top teams and the Big Least is less than impressive. Did I mention they need to have their auto-BCS bid revoked?-ozzy2378





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How we are perceived: Big East

Last year the Hotty Toddy Blog ran a series on how others perceive Ole Miss. We interviewed fans from the Big Ten and the PAC 10. This year we are bringing this series back. We will start with the Big East.

This year Ole Miss will receive the most national and international attention since James Meridith enrolled back in 1962. Hopefully the media will show just how far our University has come since those dark days in the 60's. Our national image not only affects how others feel about us but it also can seep into the minds of possible recruits.

The series last year was a bit surprising (both good and bad). How we are perceived varied greatly from state to state. As we start out this series that seems to still hold true.

Let's start out with Pittsburgh and Rutgers. New Jersey and Pennsylvania are border states. However, their view of us is as far apart as the lonely 5 hour drive on the Pennsylvania Turnpike that separates Pitt from Rutgers.

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

The Mascot...it cracks me up -jrghoul

Nothing really stands out. I guess either Eli Manning, or the unique sounding name.-OriginalEther

Unfortunately for ya'll, the first thing that comes to mind is fans waving Rebel flags.-DreamBackfield

If people referred to you as Mississippi or UMiss then maybe it would be better. A University's primary goal is education and then likely research and I just don't see a sentence like: Did you hear about that Cancer breakthrough at Ole Miss? The first thing that comes to mind is a guy dressed like Colonel Sanders with that string tie smoking a Cigar dressed in a lab coat. I'm not
trying to be condescending here but there is a lot of value in the name.-mdpitt

Archie Manning and the rebel flag. Not necessarily in that order.-wbrpanther

Hot chicks-NTOP

I rarely think about Ole Miss at all.-handbrew

first thing i think of is that they play in the SEC.-johnwwool

Eli Manning-panther94

Goofy looking Eli Manning-Allegenee

It's hard to think about Ole Miss without thinking of Manning.-Panthe...othead

Rebel Flag-IanZiering

BurghGuy68 postED this picture: Col. Reb and Ed O. ripping his shirt off-woodshedpanther

Used to think Eli Manning, now I think Michael Oher since I just read "The Blind Side" recently. Be interesting to watch his progress this year and into the NFL draft.-BuckNaked1

Faulkner, Grisham, Manning-geriga

Hot, Humid. Eli, Archie. -steelcurtain55

The rebel Flag controversy. Then the Mannings.-GeneParmesan

The logo on the helmet. And, Eli Manning falling on his @$ on 4th down against LSU to lose the SEC west title.-ShadySideUP33

First thing? Thing Grisham's book "A Time For Killing". I think Mssissippi Burning. Seriously.-WeRNotTheirRivals

I confuse Ole Miss and Mississippi State-dk16000

Manning and if I think back some great teams under Vaught.-NJBob

Definitely Archie Manning and the memorable seasons he helped produce back in the 60s. William Faulkner is still my favorite author, anywhere. Red beans & rice...as a student I must've eaten a ton of that awesome food! Played a lot of pool down at the Greyhound bus station too. I don't think about the negative racial stuff that is the first thing a lot of people conjure up when thinking about Mississippi as a state. There are rotten people everywhere but I think Mississippi has some excellent citizens that should get as much attention as the losers portrayed in films..I went to ole Miss for a semester before a death in the family necessitated my return to Pittsburgh. It's a beautiful school/campus and I loved it all but the extreme heat. -PantherMan53

Beautiful southern women, the Rebel Flag and the Mannings.-sjerzpitt2
(2) What are your feelings about Ole Miss?

Always fighting an uphill battle....especially against some of the big money in SEC land. -jrghoul

Neutral. I follow my in-laws and cheer for Kentucky (after Pitt, of course), so I guess by default I should hate Ole Miss, but since Ole Miss is average at best, there is little reason to love or hate them.-OriginalEther

Usually root for Mississippi St. in the Egg Bowl. See above. Also, I view Ole Miss as a program that could never be successful in the SEC because of the presence of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, etc.-DreamBackfield

As far as sports I think of a school that always has good athletes and a gameday experience that's great. Ole Miss brings emotions of the past instead of moving ahead to the future. That's my ten cents worth of Market Research.-mdpitt

None at all.-NTOP

No feelings, positive or negative. I know Ole Miss exist that's it.-handbrew

no real feelings. a school we don't play. a school we probably won't play unless the bowl gods align themselves in such a way where it could happen in a bowl game.-johnwwool

I don't know a whole lot about Ole Miss. I guess I have the perception that they are not quite at the level of the higher tiered SEC schools, but they are scrappers. They are the kind of team that will beat you up win or lose.-panther94

Neutral. I feel like they're OK in football. Struggle a bit. Moments of glory. Kinda like us. Know nothing of Ole Miss bball. They must have a team right?-Allegenee

No strong feelings......how is Ole Miss academically ?-goalieman

Good team in a brutal conference. You'd do better playing an easier schedule (but who wouldn't?). Still, it's tough playing those Big Boys year-in-and-year-out.-Panthe...othead

Rebel Flag-IanZiering

Lower tier SEC school that would probably be better off in Conference USA-woodshedpanther

Complete indifference; tend to root for them as I would any underdog-BuckNaked1

Famous old college in a great college town-geriga

I have no feelings good nor bad towards Ole Miss.-steelcurtain55

I like the old man logo and I love the nickname "Ole Miss" for Mississippi (reminds me of "Pitt" vis a vie Pittsburgh) but other than that I've never given Mississippi much thought.-GeneParmesan

I hate Ole Miss because they lose to the SEC schools I hate. But, I continue to root for the underdog. Ya know?-ShadySideUP33

None. Why would I? I do feel that Ole Miss is one of those schools in a big time conference who contributes NOTHING in the national scheme of things while they throw stones at Big East schools and call us "Big Least". Dude, we would pummel you and our football legacy is significant as compared with yours?-WeRNotTheirRivals

underdog in an impossible conference-dk16000

I root for you against Miss. St. (the oddly named "Egg Bowl"). Fans who bring cow bells to games scare me.-NJBob

One more thing, you guys did David Cutcliffe wrong!-PantherMan53

No feelings either way for them, as an underdog I would like to see them win a bit more.-sjerzpitt2

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

Football will never happen....I can;t see you guys playing in the NE and I don't think Pitt would want ot play one and done down there.--jrghoul

Sure. It's always good to play (and beat) an SEC team. Agree with the previous poster that it probably won't happen, though.-OriginalEther

I would love to play any SEC team in football. SEC basketball doesn't excite me.-DreamBackfield

As far as the SEC, everyone likely feels that it's great at Football and everyone beats up on each other during the season. Much like the Big East in Basketball. I always have the perception that the Conference as a whole cheats at all costs to be successful. That being said, it's likely not true. I think that some folks perceive athletes ( in Football ) find a way to get into school in the SEC where they may not qualify elsewhere.-mdpitt

Sure, 2 at Heinz Field, one at Oxford. In hoops, 3 at our house, 1 at yours.-NTOP

There would be no advantage to us in playing any sport with Ole Miss.-handbrew

I'd have no problems with either. One less game for people that whine about Pitt playing a weak schedule. But for football, I just don't see it happening, since Pitt would insist on a game happening in Pittsburgh, but Ole Miss appears to be one of those schools with an irrational phobia of crossing the Mason-Dixon line-johnwwool

I would like to play Ole Miss in football very much. I think a four game series would be great for both programs.-panther94

Sure for football. Probably would be competitive. Don't really care to play you in basketball. If we're playing someone from that far south, I'd rather play Florida or Texas.-Allegenee

A two game home and home series would be fine in football.........it might be a good way for your fans and ours to learn more about each other and our schools......would Ole Miss be willing to come to Pittsburgh for a game ?-goalieman

Football, a home 'n home might be fun. Basketball? No way. No offense, but you don't bring enough to the table.-Panthe...othead

No-IanZiering

Wouldn't mind playing in football because of the perception of the SEC. But we all know that SEC schools refuse to cross the Mason-Dixon line.-woodshedpanther

No - there is no recruiting benefit to playing Ole Miss in FB or BB. No history - no reason to get excited about that game.-BuckNaked1

Yes, I'd rather travel to Oxford than Buffalo-geriga

In Football I'd like to play you guys. It would be a great experience for our players who've never gotten a chance to see that part of the country. I almost signed an NIFL deal with the Tupelo team, and the fans and people I met down their were very nice. It would be nice to see you guys come up here instead of the usual Bowling Green's, Akron's, and Toledo's for NC play.. Basketball, I don't think there is any interest at all.-steelcurtain55

Sure, I'd like to go to a game at Ole Miss. I hear that the Grove is something to behold.-GeneParmesan

Nowadays, I don't see the benefit of playing Ole Miss in any sport.-ShadySideUP33 Not really. Why?-WeRNotTheirRivals

indifferent-dk16000

In FB, on a home-and home basis why not. Not really in hoops.-NJBob

Football? Hell yes! I want Pitt to develop a national OOC schedule. Hoops? No. No real reason, just not interested.-PantherMan53

Yes in football, no in basketball.-sjerzpitt2

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

Best conference in football, but on some levels it has a questionable rep....specifically academics and donor influence. I don't know if the rep is earned, but it's there. You're not the most corrupt conference though, that honor goes to the Big Televen.--jrghoul

It is the strongest conference in college football and, while I do hate the South for the most part, I do take pleasure in watching SEC teams beat up on Big 10 teams. Would like to proudly point out that since the raid, the Big East is 7-1 against the SEC (again, I still think the SEC is the strongest conference)-OriginalEther

SEC is unquestionably the best football conference.-DreamBackfield

These are all perceptions not built on facts but a lot of folks may agree. Pitt would love to play you (or any SEC team) but SEC teams do not travel North. That's a fact. I think if more

Northern teams played you these stereotypes would begin to vanish.-mdpitt

FB is tough, BB generally overrated. Lots of cheating in FB.-NTOP

The SEC is good in football, but is far behind the BE in basketball.-handbrew

I think their football is good. I'm impressed with the intensity of their fans. Corrupt? probably, but certainly not any worse than anywhere else.-johnwwool

The SEC is the top conference in football.-panther94

Great for football. Decent in bball.-Allegenee

Very good athletic conference.....whispers of bending the rules.-goalieman

The SEC is a great football conference: from top to bottom, it's the best right now. In basketball it's come a long way. Not too impressed with the SEC's academics; maybe I'm missing something and stuck with the old southern stereotypes?-Panthe...othead

Any league that employs Urban Meyer, Bobby Petrino, and Phil Fulmer is dirtier than a landfill-IanZiering

Dirtiest conference in America and perhaps the most arrogant ... if it weren't for the Big MAC.-woodshedpanther

I think the SEC is a 'win at all costs' conference. But they take a lot of pride in their schools which is admirable; some fans can take it to the point of a cult like addiction.-BuckNaked1

Great league, mainly b/c of its members have no academic standards for athletes-geriga

Great football and all around sports conference.-steelcurtain55

Excellent conference. Probably the best in college football. However, not nearly as dominant as many of your fans/media would have us believe.-GeneParmesan

The SEC plays almost no challenging OOC road games. They play no cold-weather games. They build their teams to win warm-weather bowl games in their home states. The NCAA caters to the SEC and if it doesn't change, then the SEC will continue its dominance in recruiting and winning. Change would be good for everyone, but southerners don't understand such concepts.-ShadySideUP33

Self absorbed cheaters, win at all costs, who forget these institutions were not built for football programs. -WeRNotTheirRivals

unbelievably deep and talented conference-dk16000

Always a strong conference with a lot of ethical issues in their academics.-NJBob

Even though I am a lifelong Pitt Panther fan & alum, I have always loved SEC football, especially the Tennessee, Bama, LSU, Georgia and Ole Miss teams of the late 1960s and early 70s. The players, the legends and college football heroes were too numerous to count. Tennessee and Alabama is the biggest rivalry in college IMHO. The game between Ole Miss & Bama...Scott Hunter vs Archie, I think the score was 33-32 Bama was, is simply a classic. The first game in 1968 on the Vols' new artificial turf, the 17-17 tie...what a ball game. LSU losing at Notre Dame 3-0 and then beating the Irish the next year in Baton Rouge 28-8, great stuff! Today however, as everywhere else it seems the classy & classic nature has gone by the wayside as the pressure to win has created an overall unsavory environment in college football. Fans are a lot more ignorant and vile as well, shoot, I'm guilty of that myself at times. But the memories of the old days will always warm me.-PantherMan53

SEC while slimy with coaches does produce some of the most exciting college football in the toughest conference.-sjerzpitt2

(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-jrghoul

I haven't been there. I've heard that it sounds really gay (something about orchids?) but actually is a very cool experience.-OriginalEther

Never been to Ole Miss, but have heard a lot about The Grove.-DreamBackfield

Nope, never been there, heard the tailgating was fancy-schmantzy, but fun. We just drink.-NTOP

The best thing about Oxford is the road leading out of Oxford. Sorry.-handbrew

Nope. No plans to, either. From what I understand, people get dressed up like their going to church or something, that the tailgate scene is a lot more laid back. not that that is a bad thing.-johnwwool

I have never been to Oxford, and have no idea about the traditions of Ole Miss.-panther94

Didn't know they played football in England ;)-Allegenee

Never visited Oxford, Mississippi.......I've heard of the Grove and that you have a very good game day experience....tell us more.-goalieman
Never been there, and don't see myself ever coming down, unless it was for a bowl-related experience. I know you have great tradition, along with most schools in the South.-Panthe...othead

I'm not setting foot in a place that is more likely to have a Klan rally than a good football game.-IanZiering

No, but I've heard it's a great gameday experience largely due to the hot, drunken and slutty ole miss coeds.-woodshedpanther

Never visited, would love to. Have heard its a very traditional Southern town with a great game day atmosphere-BuckNaked1

No, but Oxford is a great place to visit.-geriga

never been on Ole Miss's campus before.-steelcurtain55

No, I have never visited Oxford. However a close friend of mine attended Ole Miss and he is still trying to get me to come down for a game. Says that the girls are unbelievable and that the Grove is incredible. If Pitt were to play Ole Miss I would definitely make that trip (as I would if Pitt were to play a home and home with any SEC school).-GeneParmesan

Oxford? Is that in England?-ShadySideUP33

No. Hot poon everywhere.-WeRNotTheirRivals

no, have heard nothing- dk16000

No, but a close friend got his law degree at Ole Miss back in the early '70s. Had a lot of good things to say about the game-day atmosphere for FB. Fans treat visitors pretty well.-NJBob

Yes and it was great! I will always be a John Vaught fan as well. The Grove, the coeds....all classic Southern football stuff every fan should experience at least once in their lifetime.-PantherMan53

Never been to Oxford on gameday but wouldn't mind seeing it. -sjerzpitt2

Posters are from
Pittsburgh Panther Football (Scout)
Pittsburgh Lair (Rivals)

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

Archie Manning and very dark blue uniforms-dizzle22

The Girls-RuRuuuu

Dixie song and confederate flag -westcoastqb

Both Mannings, for sure, but since I've been watching college football since the early 1950's I remember Jimmy Patton (standout DB for the Giants for many years), the great teams that Johnny Vaught coached and other outstanding players such as Charlie Flowers, who I think played in the late 50's-RUpumped

Colonel Rebel-50804742

SEC team tons of history but seem to underachieve in the modern SEC. -Chuch Wilder
The Confederate flag. The school had to ban it being waved in the stadium about 10 years ago, which prompted an increase of Confederate flag waving outside the stadium.-Doctor Worm

The first thing I think of when I hear Ole Miss are the first black students at the university and the Civil Rights movement-PatrickRU92

The grove. Supposed to be tremendous tailgating. -keav8447

I think all RU fans should send a big thank you to Ole Miss for allowing us to get Coach Chris Rippon! He is going to make such a huge difference on our Special Teams this year it is going to be scary-ScarletChop18

The SEC.-Brunswick23Beast

First thing I think of when I hear "Ole Miss", is why do they call it "Ole Miss" instead of "Mississippi". I think the name is especially poor, because it conjures up images of "Old" Mississippi from 40 years ago and earlier. And those images are mostly images of racism and bigotry.-Upstream

Eli Manning-RUFBFAN

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Ole Miss?
a good ol' Southern University -BuffKnight99

Eli Manning and Patrick Willis-RCLEO1

Eli Manning-RoadCrewFuzz

Coach Orgeron doing the hulk in front of his players.-RutgersLifeR

The Mannings, William Faulkner and Johnny Vaught -RAA-1

Eli Manning and the book Meat Market by Bruce Feldman.-Aerosmith

Colonel Reb & the Confederate flag.-RUJohnny99

Confederate Flag-RUfanS...derson

Deep south/southern plantations, and like Upstream, why Ole Miss is used with every reference (except in formal situations, I suppose)-RUnTeX

I like the name "Ole Miss" ..an earthy name not overly formal. Not a fan of the Confederate Flag...although i try not to be too judgmental about it.-Ru2bnj

James Meredith being barred from admission. Followed by Archie and Eli Manning. Go Giants.-srru86

Eli Manning-goldb80

First thing that comes to mind - probably the Grove.-RUtrumpet92

Ole Miss and Miss State game.-fbc1866


(2) What are your feelings about Ole Miss?

Thanks for our SB MVP Eli-dizzle22

Same as dizzle-RuRuuuu

Beautiful campus,great college town and beautiful coeds-westcoastqb

Very pretty campus with a small-town atmosphere. I keep waiting for Ole Miss to break out after a lot of very average seasons. Coach Orgeron came close but couldn't quite get it done.

Let's see what Ken Hatfield can do-RUpumped

Love It-50804742

Love the Uniforms, tradition, etc. -Chuch Wilder

The same feelings I have for the Confederate flag -- and they are not positive. Now I am not saying that is fair. For all I know, the school may now be a shining light of progressive thought, and may have renounced its racist past. But old stereotypes are hard to break.-Doctor Worm

I also love Ole Miss' uniforms and colors-PatrickRU92

Southern. Both the good & the bad that comes with that.-keav8447

Have always found myself rooting for Ole Miss.-Brunswick23Beast

My feelings about Ole Miss are tinged by stereotypes of racism from Mississippi's history.
Although I hope that is no longer the case, I really don't know.-Upstream

I feel they have great tradition but not great teams anymore.-RUFBFAN

loved my visit so i have nothing bad to say-BuffKnight99

SEC school that should be better than its rival Miss. St.-RCLEO1

I don't think about Ole Miss-RoadCrewFuzz

Ole Miss seems like a decent institution with a beautiful campus.-RutgersLifeR

Very nice campus and your Lyceum is a lot like the Old Queens building is to Rutgers-RAA-1

Very tough place to win given the strength of the SEC and poor Mississippi schools.-Aerosmith

A really nice school, if you're one of the preferred class.-RUJohnny99

Ambivalent-RUfanS...derson

Don't really have feelings one way or the other-RUnTeX

I like the football team's uniform scheme. It seems like a great place to watch a game. -Ru2bnj

Not much different than other large southern public university.-srru86

No feelings good or bad-goldb80

One, I can't see you ever winning the SEC. The in-state talent pool can't compete with the rest of the SEC without drawing from neighboring states, and I imagine the best players in Alabama, Louisiana, etc will prefer to play for LSU, Alabama, or Auburn. If you couldn't win it with Eli, you won't without him. Two, I've wondered (ever since first arriving at Tech) how you convince some black athletes to attend when the Rebel flag has been prominently featured in the stands for quite some time - plus the mascot evokes images of plantations. I know that image might not reflect the changing reality at Ole Miss. Three, I like the uniforms, and don't mind rooting for you at all. Some of that is my tendency to root for the underdogs. I like the name Ole Miss more than if you called yourselves Mississippi.-RUtrumpet92

Deep South School with alot of tradition (both good and bad). Wondered why they have not been a power player in the SEC the last few years.-fbc1866


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

I played your bball team when I was in college-dizzle22

Id love for rutgers to play ole miss in football-RuRuuuu

YES-westcoastqb

Yes, for sure. I think it would be a great home-and-home series-RUpumped

Be great-50804742

Love to do a home and home -Chuch Wilder

Not really.-Doctor Worm

I would love a home and home series with Ole Miss in both fball and bball, and that goes for
every SEC team except Vanderbilt. I want RU to play it's peers, meaning large state universities.-PatrickRU92

I would love to play Ole Miss in anything.-keav8447

I would like a home-and-home against Ole Miss, would definitely make the road trip if it weren't too cost-prohibitive.-Brunswick23Beast

Mississippi is not one of the schools I think of when Rutgers talks about toughening its schedule. Mississippi has won 14 games in the past 4 seasons, and finished ranked 80 in last season's Sagarin rankings. Unless Mississippi turns it around, they are not a school which would help Rutgers' strength of schedule.-Upstream

I would love to play Ole Miss in Football.-RUFBFAN
sure-BuffKnight99

Would really enjoy a one for one against Ole Miss in football-RCLEO1
Sure if you don't wuss out like every other SEC team when it comes to playing the Big East-RoadCrewFuzz

I think a lot of us RU fans would LOVE playing you guys in football.-RutgersLifeR

Yes in football-RAA-1

Yes. Ole Miss is comparable in talent-Aerosmith

In a home & home, sure.-RUJohnny99

Sure-RUfanS...derson

Wouldn't mind a home & home in football; rather not in hoops-RUnTeX

I would like to see RU have a home & home with Ole Miss.-Ru2bnj

Sure, why not, but not at the top of my list of schools/places I'd like to play. I would like to periodically get to SEC towns/stadiums but not at the cost of a one and done. With the realities of modern scheduling I'm not so sure it will happen. -srru86

I would like to play you in football-goldb80

Only in a home and home. Definitely would like it in football - winnable (not a gimme, mind you, but competitive), respectable opponent at a site I could easily drive to the game.-RUtrumpet92

I think it would be a good game in Piscataway. I remember the refs during the Women's game need to play in Piscataway.-fbc1866

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

I think the top 5 (ufa, bama, lsu, UGA and Auburn)teams are really good, but the other 7 are no greater than other conferences middle of the road teams-dizzle22

Strongest conference out there and hope one day rutgers can be held in the same standard as some of their top teams-RuRuuuu

Best football conference in the land.Crazed loyal fans.-westcoastqb

The SEC is the strongest college football conference in the country, by far. Their fans are very hospitable as well. I've been to Rutgers road games at Tennessee, Alabama and Florida, and we were well-treated at every place-RUpumped

A true fan, having grown up in Vandy country.-50804742

SEC great conference great rivalries. Entertaining games. Top Notch-Chuch Wilder

I rarely think of the SEC.-Doctor Worm

Err keeping it real here, my opinion of the SEC is not that glowing. The SEC is the best conference in football but I find many of the schools and their coaches highly sleazy, and I think there are a lot of under the table payments made to the student athletes. This is not exclusive to the SEC, but IMHO it's most common in the SEC. Not that my opinion means that much to you, but I doubt Ole Miss is one of the prime offenders. To be frank, I find most SEC fans to be unbelievably arrogant about the conference. Yes it's the best, but it's not on some completely different level as many SEC fans would like everyone else to believe. To illustrate, there was a thread last year on the Ole MIss board in which most fans agreed that if the Rebels were in the BE they would win it. Not trying to accuse you personally, 220521, but that is way off base.-PatrickRU92

SEC is a tremendous conference, but it gets a positive slant as much as the Big East gets a negative slant. -keav8447

Great football conference, by far and away the nations best.-Brunswick23Beast

I think the SEC is a very tough football league, and the toughest league out there. However, it is not as tough as SEC coaches and fans claim it is. I think SEC coaches and fans have confused being number one by a small margin with being number one by a huge margin. The ego of the SEC has probably been stroked by the fact that SEC schools got to play a vastly overrated Ohio State for the last two BCS Championships.-Upstream

Best football conference-RUFBFAN

SEC - so everybody cheats - nuff said-BuffKnight99

I think the SEC is the best conference top to bottom-RCLEO1

Great athletic conference with below average academics-RoadCrewFuzz
SEC probably provides the highest level of talent on the field out of all conferences and has great college football tradition.-RutgersLifeR

Very good FB conference but not as good from top to bottom as your fans think it is.-RAA-1

Great football, lot cheating-Aerosmith

NFL for the south.-RUJohnny99

Great in FB; over rated in BB- love the pagentry of FB-RUfanS...derson

Football is religion in the SEC, which is both a good and bad thing-RUnTeX

Think the SEC is the best football conference..however i think the sports/academic relationship is entirely out of whack.-Ru2bnj

Undeniably great football product on the field. Though hard to shake questions about how that success is achieved at times. SEC basketball is pretty good but can't make the same claim to superiority that football can. -srru86

The deepest conference in the country, I would like to play an SEC team each year-goldb80
SEC - best in football, not as much better as the SEC fans think. I think the conference has more crooked programs than most conferences. Love the rabid fanbases.-RUtrumpet92

The top conference in football, the big east will be knocking on their door in a few
years.-fbc1866

(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?

Mississippi guys LOVE their beer but are very kind to strangers-dizzle22

No, they love their football down there.-RuRuuuu

Have been in Oxford,but not on gameday.Saw ole Miss at Tuscaloosa.-westcoastqb

No, but I've seen games on TV. It looks like a great atmosphere-RUpumped

Yes> All four roads into Oxford jammed. Ole Miss fans everywhere-50804742

I personally have not but a buddy of mine said it was a great time. Loved the speed limit in honor of Archie on campus.-Chuch Wilder

Not in this or any other lifetime. Again, that may be a totally unfair impression, but it is what it is.-Doctor Worm

Never visited but if we ever played Ole MIss in Oxford I would most certainly be there. Nothing better in college football than road trips to college towns. I have heard the tailgating in "the grove" ( I believe thats what it's called) is among the best in the country.-PatrickRU92

I would love to visit Oxford. I have heard great things.-keav8447

I have never visited Oxford.-Brunswick23Beast

I have never visited Oxford. I have not heard anything about your gameday experience which is memorable or distinctive. I'm sure your fans are enthusiastic and have a great time.-Upstream

Have not visited & not heard much spercifically.-RUFBFAN
yes - the Grove was a great time and it was a real good game (you beat the Hogs on espn on Sat nite during Eli's Sr yr)-BuffKnight99

Never been to Oxford, heard and read a lot of great things, especially about the beautiful women at Ole Miss. One other thing, I think you should have given Orgeron another year to let his recruits develop on the field. (Read the book Meat Market)-RCLEO1

No-RoadCrewFuzz

Yes to visit but not on game day. Beautiful campus and very nice people but the school is a lot smaller than I expected with under 18k at all levels (if I remember correctly).-RAA-1

No-Aerosmith

No. The Grove.-RUJohnny99

No and prob would not-RUfanS...derson

Never been but think I'd enjoy a trip down there. The Grove, from what I've heard, it's like 'formal' tailgating - guys in shirt & tie, girls in sundresses.-RUnTeX

No, have never been to Oxford. Have heard it is quite an experience. Most SEC gamedays sound pretty impressive. The only one I've experienced personally is Knoxville. UTenn did not disappoint.-srru86

Never visited, havent heard anything-goldb80

Not yet, and I probably won't unless Rutgers is on the schedule. I hear the tailgating is great (see the answer to #1).-RUtrumpet92

No, heard that it's party time.-fbc1866

Posters from:
State of Rutgers (Scout)
Scarlet Nation (Rivals)