Ole Miss vs Alabama: Alabama Needs Ole Miss To Be a Great Team

Sep 19, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) gets up after diving over the goal as he is hit by Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Shaun Hamilton (20) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

The competitive gap between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Alabama Crimson Tide has shrunk. However, it benefits Alabama to have a good Ole Miss team to play against.

We are approaching one of the most anticipated games on the Ole Miss football schedule. It is time for our annual battle against the great Crimson Tide of Alabama. Now I know there are Alabama fans who think that we should not utter the Rebels’ name in the same sentence as the Tide. However, Roll Tide fans, you need us more than you think.

Alabama needs Ole Miss to be a great team. The better the Rebels are, the better it is for the Tide. You might as well admit it, you need us. Although I know the idea that the defending National Champions require any assistance, may make Alabamians spit out their tobacco. But the concept is not meant as in insult.

In life you realize that it is beneficial to admit you need someone. Many times these relationships are symbiotic. Meaning that both parties benefit equally from the relationship. You need us and we need you. However, I can see you still don’t believe me. So let me show you how much having Ole Miss as a “good team” helps the Roll Tide contingent in their goal of continued dominance.

Sep 19, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive back Trae Elston (7) returns an interception as Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Richard Mullaney (16) reaches out for him at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Superman Needs Lex Luthor

The Crimson Tide has been the dominant team in college football for the past few years. They are the litmus test other teams use to determine whether or not they are title contenders. Alabama spends most of their time flying around as Superman.

Superman shows off his super strength. He flies around the globe in a manner of minutes in a demonstration of his super speed. The guy is able to leap buildings with a single bound. It seems like nothing can challenge Superman. This is until Lex Luthor shows up.

Luthor is a mere mortal with great intellect and lots of money. (Sounds like Ole Miss to me.) He has no other powers. Yet he tends to give Superman fits. He keeps Superman on his toes. Luthor gives Superman a foe that isn’t easy to defeat and isn’t easy to dismiss. It causes those who depend on Superman’s protection to appreciate Superman’s existence. It’s Lex Luthor who gives Superman his worth and value.

Alabama you need Ole Miss to be your Lex Luthor. You need to be challenged. Your limits need to be pushed. You need to be knocked down to size every now and then so that your fans can appreciate your victories. The Rebels are there to knock you down. Just when you think you can’t lose, here is Ole Miss with a pocket full of kryptonite.

Jul 14, 2016; Hoover, AL, USA; Mississippi player Chad Kelly speaks to media during SEC media day at Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss Distracts The Media

Could someone help me? I can’t remember. What was the major sports story this Spring and Summer in the SEC? Oh that’s right, it was Ole Miss and their troubles with the NCAA. Also, sprinkle in a little Laremy Tunsil draft night bong mask photo and you have a media circus in Oxford.

This dominated the headline of every media outlet and dreams of every enemy faux sports reporter. However on July 1st, Alabama posted on their website that they self-reported 19 secondary violations. Now during a year where Ole Miss was less relevant, the media would have said that those violations were evidence of a systemic environment of cheating at Alabama.

However when you have Ole Miss winning recruits and Sugar Bowls no one has the time to focus on Alabama. They have their pitchforks sharpened for the Rebels. Ole Miss must be paying players! There is no way they can be this good without cheating!

You see how it benefits you, Alabama? When we are good, no one pays attention to your questionable practices because they are too focused on us. You are no longer the bad guys of the league. The Ole Miss Rebels are. You are getting twice the number of five star recruits than the Rebels are yet no one is questioning you. As long as Ole Miss is good, they are going to keep focusing on us. You’re welcome.

Sep 5, 2016; Orlando,KFL, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Damore

Keeps The SEC West Strong

The SEC East has Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Missouri and South Carolina. As much as the media wants us to believe that this year is different, those three teams appear to be the same teams they’ve been for the past couple of years. They are the bottom four of the league. However, we’ve come to expect the East to be the weakest of the two divisions.

The SEC West on the other hand is a beast. Almost every team could pose a threat to every other team. However as difficult as these games are for each team, it is precisely the reason those teams are given the benefit of doubt during polling time.

Alabama needs Ole Miss to be good so they can have another great team on their resume. The last thing they need is another cupcake on the schedule. There was once a time when going to Ole Miss was an automatic win. Now when Alabama comes into Oxford it is deemed a difficult game to play. The atmosphere is electric. For once, the Crimson Tide knows that the team on the other side of the field is capable of beating them. Why? Because they have already done it two times in a row.

A great Ole Miss team makes the SEC West better. It makes the nation take notice. The game becomes a must-watch spectacle. This can only be good for Alabama. So, Roll Tide faithful, it’s ok to have to need someone. You may not want to acknowledge Ole Miss’ greatness. You may even resent it. But honestly, Alabama needs Ole Miss to be great. So, we will remain great. Again, you’re welcome.