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Ole Miss Football: Rivals Show Their Fear Of The Rebels

By K. L. Williams

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 13: The Ole Miss Rebels and Head Coach Hugh Freeze prepare to run onto the field before a game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 13: The Ole Miss Rebels and Head Coach Hugh Freeze prepare to run onto the field before a game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – NOVEMBER 26:  Richie Brown #39 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs tackles Eugene Brazley #23 of the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi.  (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – NOVEMBER 26:  Richie Brown #39 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs tackles Eugene Brazley #23 of the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi.  (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Monophobia

Ole Miss Rebels Football
Ole Miss Rebels Football /

Ole Miss Rebels Football

(Fear of Being Alone)

You will notice immediately that most of our rivals have difficulty remaining in their world. Now I know since I have made note of this I will be accused of focusing on them. It is a common tactic of misdirected reasoning. They use this tactic so that they can continue to ignore the fact that they have an issue. We are here to help them get through.

They continue to live in our world because they are afraid of being alone in theirs. The monophobia shows up in the most awkward of places. However, it is clearly visible at the bottom of the SEC standing. Some of our rivals have gotten so used to being at the bottom half of the SEC West that when we make an attempt to leave them their monophobia begins to take over.

You must assure them that although we don’t plan on staying down here with them, we will not forget them. Remind them that they can still go to a bowl game from the bottom of the West. Sure, sometimes the rules have to be adjusted so that a 5-7 team can make it in. However, getting in is the important part. Now this is where one of our rivals will defensively say something like, “55-20” or “y’all ain’t even going to a bowl”. Don’t let it bother you. It’s their way of saying, “Don’t leave me.”

Metathesiophobia

(Fear of Change)

To go along with their obvious monophobia, it is clear that our rivals suffer from a fear of change. They show classic signs of metathesiophobia. For many years it was assumed there was a certain pecking order in the SEC West. With that assumption came certain expectations with each team.

Teams believed that Alabama and LSU would fight for the top spot. Every few years Auburn would show up to challenge as well. Texas A & M was supposed to always not live up to their hype. Then the rest of the teams, namely Ole Miss, Arkansas and Mississippi State were supposed to fight amongst themselves who would represent the best of the bottom.

Ole Miss decided they no longer want to fight for the scraps that are leftovers from the big guys. However, who knew our rivals suffered from metathesiophobia? They were not concerned about getting better and the didn’t want anyone else improving either.

How sad must it be to be comfortable with Alabama and LSU riding roughshod over your team? To live your life too afraid to fly close to the sun. Not only that, but to feel it is your duty to make sure other teams on the bottom stay there. They man the gate of mediocrity.

Approach with care

You have to be careful with them. They believe places like the Sugar Bowl are reserved for others and not them. They believe five-star recruits are not supposed to go to schools in Mississippi. What state do we think we are, Alabama? If five stars are coming to Mississippi then someone is cheating and I’m calling somebody. So sad.

Remember, to approach them slowly with no sudden moves. Let them know that change is a part of life. If they focused more on their inner self, they will see that change starts within.

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