Dan Mullen is a sports writer's dream.
His constant barrage of barbs at Ole Miss and its coach Houston Nutt makes for great storylines. It's quite evident Nutt has heard enough about State's 41-27 upset win last year in Starkville.
"This," Nutt said, referring to Saturday's Egg Bowl in Oxford, "is the one I've been waiting on for a while."
Since MSU beat Ole Miss last year in Mullen's first Egg Bowl, the Bulldogs have taken every opportunity available to rub the Rebels' noses in it.
Mullen's first shot across the Rebels' bow came during an on-field celebration just moments after the victory. Recalling something Nutt said earlier in the week, Mullen said this to the madhouse at Scott Field: "I know one thing: There's certainly one program in this state that's definitely on the rise, going in the right direction."
And Mullen hasn't let up yet.
As he prepares his No. 25 Bulldogs (7-4) this week for the 107th meeting of this bitter rivalry, the second-year MSU coach isn't backing off. It's evident he enjoys needling the Rebels and that he isn't worried about bulletin board material.
"Ever since that game to now, we are the program that's on the rise and we plan to keep it that way," Mullen said Monday.
"From the moment that horn, or gun, sounded last year, there's been a mention of this game at least once a week - if not twice," Nutt said. "And throughout the summer. Our players are well, well aware of this ballgame."
At 4-7, Ole Miss is playing for pride, and that's all that is needed in this grudge match. Nutt's message to his team will go something like this: "Let's show everybody who the top program in the state really is and shut Mullen's trap in the process."
It's so cliche but so true: Records mean nothing in a rivalry as intense as this one.
You only have to go back one year for the proof. Ole Miss came in a heavy favorite and was totally dominated by the more-motivated Bulldogs.
The 106-year history of the Egg Bowl is filled with games where decided underdogs prevailed.
Outside of the most obvious X-factor, turnover margin, Saturday's game will come down to which team wants it most. Even though both sides are coming off gut-busting losses, motivation won't be hard to come by.
Both coaches will make sure of that. The guess here is the redemption factor gives Ole Miss a slight edge here.
There are two key matchups that I think will determine which team gets bragging rights for the next 365 days:
• MSU's run attack vs. the UM front seven: The Bulldogs aren't flashy, but they are effective with their ground game that ranks third in the Southeastern Conference with 216 yards a contest.
State is going to pound away at the heart of the Rebel defense, which ranks ninth in the league in rush defense, with its read-option attack.
Ole Miss will stack the line of scrimmage with eight defenders and dare the Dogs to beat them with Chris Relf throwing the ball. If the MSU quarterback plays like he did last week against Arkansas, the Rebel defense is in trouble.
Relf hasn't proven he can be a consistent passer, so the guess here is he won't do it in back-to-back games.
• The MSU secondary vs. UM passing attack: Bulldog defensive backs have struggled in back-to-back losses to No. 9 Alabama and No. 12 Arkansas, so UM has the advantage here even without leading receiver Melvin Harris, who is suspended for Saturday's game for breaking undisclosed team rules.
Look for Ole Miss to find several big plays through the air unless the Dogs can keep pressure on quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, but Masoli can be just as dangerous, if not more, when he's scrambling around.
He is great at keeping plays alive with his feet, and that's when you see most coverage breakdowns - when the QB is running around.
The State defense has bent often this season but not broken much — not until the last two games anyway.
Ole Miss is coming off an impressive offensive outing against one of the toughest defenses in the SEC, putting up 36 points.
The guess here is the Rebels keep their revenge, 31-21.
• Contact Bill Burrus at bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
