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Ole Miss Football: Grove Grinder, Bama, The Anthem and Smack Talk

By Daniel Skipper

OXFORD, MS - NOVEMBER 01: Fans attend pregame parties in The Grove as the Auburn Tigers face the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 1, 2014 in Oxford, Mississippi. Auburn defeated Mississippi 35-31. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - NOVEMBER 01: Fans attend pregame parties in The Grove as the Auburn Tigers face the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 1, 2014 in Oxford, Mississippi. Auburn defeated Mississippi 35-31. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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Ole Miss football is in full swing and of course, so is the Grove Grinder. I have a couple of things to get off my chest today as we face Bama tomorrow night.

With Ole Miss football headed to T-town to take on the Crimson Tide, this is my favorite week of football season. I’ve always loved the Bama game because of personal reasons. Many of my friends and some family are huge fans of Alabama football. This week is special to me and the game is even more special.

Two out of the past three seasons we’ve witnessed what Ole Miss football was capable of on the big stage. Trust me, the stage doesn’t get any bigger than playing Bama. Tomorrow night Ole Miss will face a No.1 Bama team which decimated Vandy 59-0.

The funny thing is Bama thinks we should be scared. We shouldn’t be. Bama is just a team with great athletes. Maybe they do have a few more than most SEC teams, however they can be beaten. It’s happened 2 out of the last 3 years by Ole Miss and a couple of other non-SEC teams.

There’s no doubt Ole Miss has had the number of the Tide the past several seasons. Even little Nicky boy knows what’s up. Ole Miss has been his kryptonite over 10 out of the last 12 quarters of play. He’s even gone so far as to call out Ole Miss in his recent press conference. Trust me coach Saban, we quietly know.

The National Debate

Ole Miss Rebels Football
Ole Miss Rebels Football /

Ole Miss Rebels Football

Of course, we have found our country at arms over the recent NFL player protests of the National Anthem. I get it, I really do. However, if you’re going to be bold and protest police brutality, why not go to the local police station and kneel on the front step. Trust me, the media will be there and you will still get to show off in front of the camera.

Honestly I have no problem with peaceful protests, however as the father of two boys I realize the impact professional athletes make on young minds. Do these players really want to see kids think like them or do they really want America’s children to have their own ideas and own opinions?

A true role model would opt for the latter I’d think. I mean if you think you have the power to think you can make a difference then do it the right way. Go for broke. Don’t hamstring your team owner knowing you have the power and knowing they won’t do anything just to keep you on the roster. Instead of protesting in your workplace,  protest on the public square. I mean y’all do have the money to post bail or lawyer to to argue your wrongful arrest in court, should it come to that.

Even better spend that money and time to make a real difference in the lives of the homeless and starving in Everytown, USA. Even better, spend your time and resources on some of the tens of thousands which have been affected by natural disasters. The next meal they receive or the next roof they can sleep under means way more to them than your display on the sidelines. I have no problem with the protests, however I believe time could be better served helping people who really need the help.

And We Have Smack

Of course, there are a number of us who frequent the SEC and college football ‘smack’ sites. I too have spent numerous years as part of the best smack site on Facebook, SEC Smack. Trust me, it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s a place where numerous people will try their best to verbally abuse you and your favorite team. There are no exceptions. Everyone is fair game and it helps to have thick skin.

I appreciate the banter for what it really is. Yes, there was a time where I would let people get the best of me. However, thru a repertoire of humiliation in my early days in SEC Smack, I’ve learned to let the water roll off this rebel’s back. Now, it’s nothing more than entertainment and a chance to talk crap to people who have become my friends over the years.

I’ve seen the ups and downs of almost every veteran in the group. I’ve seen feelings hurt over a game and I’ve seen feelings hurt over the loss of a member and a friend. I’ve also seen the days where I had to eat crow in the group over a Vandy loss and relished in the wins over Bama.

Regardless of whether you’re a fan of Bama or Vandy, I still respect what each and every team brings to the SEC. I also respect every fan. No, we may not agree on each and every issue but we do have one thing in common. We are die-hard fans of the most bad-ass conference in the nation. We all have something in common.

Next: Keys To A Rebel Victory!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. If you have a comment you can easily sign up for Disqus and comment on the specific article. I look forward to your feedback. Good luck in your games tomorrow. Unless you’re a Bammer. Hotty Toddy and beat Bama.

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