Earlier this year, many of us recall reading an article written by Orlando Sentential writer Mike Bianchi, who made a proposal for the SEC to kick both Ole Miss and Mississippi State out of the conference, in favor of adopting both UCF and USF as their replacements. Well, Bianchi is one hell of an analysis. Both Ole Miss and Mississippi State are tied for first place in the SEC West, they’re two of the three remaining undefeated teams in the conference, and they’re both equally tied at number three in the nation. In my opinion, before UCF and USF can make that transition into the nation’s most elite conference, they need to prove themselves to everyone in their current conference (AAC), as UCF holds a 2-2 record and USF is struggling with a 2-3 record. Oct 4, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Bo Wallace (14) prior to the game against Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Bianchi was wrong, and he knows it, but he is ashamed to admit it he was wrong. Like the narrow-minded journalist he is, Bianchi resorted to a satire article to gain fifteen minutes of fame instead of a reasonable approach to the idea of bringing UCF and USF into the SEC. In fact, I was shocked that it could have been written as a true opinion by a so called journalist. The facts that were left out showed a clear indication of an uneducated sports writer, and for that the Sentential should be ashamed.
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What should have been put into consideration is that both Ole Miss and Mississippi State are charter members of the SEC, therefore removing them from the conference without their consent would be prohibited. Another thought to consider should have been media coverage. Why would the SEC expand coverage in a state they already control with the University of Florida? Even if the SEC were to expand, they’re not going to adventure into states they already have coverage, instead they’re going to expand into states where SEC coverage is limited, such as Virginia, or Maryland.
The fact of the matter is that Mike Bianchi’s debate about Ole Miss and Mississippi State was another proven example that “they” were wrong. Everyone who had predicted both teams to fold by this point of the season are now watching it all unfold with their heads down. They’re watching in disbelief and out of their own stubbornness will not admit to their mistake. Instead, they resort to silly comical outtakes to cover the mistake with a blanket.
Ole Miss beating Bama and Miss. State beating A&M is best day in State of Mississippi since the invention of naked-lady mudflaps!
— Mike Bianchi (@BianchiWrites) October 5, 2014
The Paul Finebaum Show is another perfect example. Pawl, as many of his religious callers refer to him, is a well known Alabama Crimson Tide supporter, and his bias candor can be easily depicted in his radio show. Pawl routinely said during the offseason that there is no way Ole Miss and Mississippi State could be in comparison to LSU and Alabama in contending for the SEC title. Now that both Ole Miss and Mississippi State have unveiled Alabama and LSU’s weaknesses, that consideration is becoming more of a reality. It is becoming more of a reality that “they” were wrong about Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
From an outsider’s perspective who is easily drawn into the elite foe of the SEC, Ole Miss has always been, “just Ole Miss,” and Mississippi State has been rightfully the same. This dates back to consistent losing seasons by both teams. The fact that Mississippi State holds no series record over any team in the SEC is a statement that couldn’t be said without laughter. Then you have Ole Miss, who has not been a championship contender since before the Vietnam War, and that kind of statistic could only astonish an outsider of our existence.
Oct 4, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Kivon Coman (11) against the Texas A&M Aggies at Davis Wade Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Aggies 48-31. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Now, the outsiders are looking in with disbelief. The question is, would there be acceptance of a new era in the SEC? Maybe, we are heading into an era of the SEC where teams like LSU, Florida, and Alabama are less dominate. Maybe, it is time for teams like Ole Miss and Mississippi to shine under the limelight that Alabama and LSU have experienced decade after decade. For them to openly admit that they were wrong about Ole Miss and Mississippi State before this season began will be hard for all of them to digest.
However, it is still early in the season. Both teams could easily fall off the radar as earlier as this weekend. The fact that that is less likely now than it was at the beginning of the season is what’s eating at them. The likelihood of a change, a new era in the SEC is in the distance, and with continuing wins from Ole Miss and Mississippi State that new era is becoming more of a reality. But, for now let’s just openly admit that they were wrong about Ole Miss and Mississippi State.