Before the SEC myth got bulldozed like an eyesore down in New Orleans, we had the rise of the Mississippi state schools, a duo that hasn't been prominent in football since segregation was outlawed.
In a simpler time, it seemed one of the spots to the College Football Playoff ran through the Egg Bowl. Then Mississippi State lost three of its last four games. Ole Miss lost three of its last five.
Ole Miss — they're the ones who had a cartoon traitor as a mascot all the way until 2010 — capstoned its season with a 42-3 ass-kicking at the hands of the TCU Horned Frogs in the Peach Bowl.
For some reason, the powers-to-be at Ole Miss awarded Peach Bowl participation rings to its team for its performance:
Very thankful for @RossBjorkAD and administration for honoring our players & staff for successful season! Hotty Toddy pic.twitter.com/ft1wrvigBa
— Hugh Freeze (@CoachHughFreeze) May 29, 2015
Well, if you didn't know the blood that was spilled to earn that ring, I guess it would look nice on a man's finger from a distance. But hey, it was a banner year for Ole Miss on and off the field:
Our Football Team earned the highest team GPA (2.57) in recorded history of the football program. Thanks @UMTrueRebel for a great year
— Hugh Freeze (@CoachHughFreeze) December 18, 2014
S-E-C! S-E-C!