What a week! For the first time in weeks, Ole Miss has dropped out of the number one position due to the road favorite loss to LSU. Because of this upset, it’s now elimination game time for Ole Miss and Auburn. Whoever loses Saturday can forget about any chance for the “final four.”
All the marbles are on the table as the Tigers invade Oxford.
Mississippi State is now the only undefeated team left in the SEC, but still has tough road contests in Tuscaloosa and Oxford. Alabama is now preparing for their road test in Baton Rouge followed by the two home tests with MSU and Auburn. Georgia could pretty well lock up the East this week with a win over Florida.
LSU will continue in the role of “spoiler” as their two conference L’s out of the gate pretty much ended the quest for any titles this year. Likewise for Missouri.
Speculating forward to the final four, here are the probable seven teams most likely:
1. Florida State
2. Alabama
3. Notre Dame
4. TCU
5. Michigan State
6. Georgia
7. Ole Miss
It still seems improbable that only one SEC team will make it, but in this first year of selection, anything is possible. As for Mississippi State, it appears that they must win both critical road tests to get in. A loss in either, also forfeits the SEC West pending something unusual.
Returning to the Rebels, the loss to the Bengals was costly in several ways, but hopefully it will be “the wakeup call” the Rebs need to run the table. Auburn will be a considerable challenge, however, and if we’re all really “all in”, it could even trump the Alabama game for the season’s greatest outing. My friend, Ja-Mes Logan, predicts Bo will be at his best along with the Reb “D”. And brother George says it’s now or never. Let’s hope they’re right as this race will start getting even more thrilling! The games (make that playoffs) have begun!
Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. In addition, he is a certified economic and community developer and currently, a highly successful leader in the real estate business with Premier Properties of Oxford. Steve’s lifelong dream has been to live in Oxford full-time. “I am now living my dream daily as is my wife Rosie, who works with the Oxford Chamber of Commerce,” Steve said. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.
