Tuesday Question

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Aug 26, 2008 9:43 AM EDT

Generally, we are the "authors" of "content" around here - "here" being a blog and not a message board. Recognize, we do, that you've come here not to contribute, but to consume. Nevertheless, there is the sporadic occasion where, either for our benefit or for to exercise the thinkifiers of the masses, we ask you a question. Today's question is ...

Is Memphis a Rival?

Although it's fairly pathetic for this to be the case during the very first week of football, jobs and school have a lot of us Cuppers weighed down a good bit. Therefore, to keep it lively around here, we'd like to open up this Tuesday with a question which, if we're lucky, may lead to a brief discussion or even a debate. Today's question is: "Is Memphis truly a rival of ours?"

Many say it isn't. They cite a real lack of competitiveness between the teams, conference disparities, and a lack in tradition (when compared to LSU and State).

Many say it is. They cite EA Sports, proximity, and good ol' fashioned hatred.

What say you?

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Comments

As far as I know the hatred is really from one direction, Tiger High. We don't give a crap about them, just another filler around our SEC opponents. But to them, we ARE their bowl game and would love to beat us. God help us if they do...we would hear about it for generations...

by Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 10:47 AM EDT reply actions

I say no. As much as I love to watch them downtrodden after losing the biggest game of their miserable season every year, they just aren't a true rival for one main reason- As soon as the game is over, Ole Miss fans don't give a shit about Memphis, whereas we pay attention to LSU and State year round.

by jimhalpert on Aug 26, 2008 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

Considering the fact that we no longer play them in basketball, and are dropping them from our football schedule in the near future, the only logical answer is...NO WAY IN HELL.

by Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 11:01 AM EDT reply actions

No, it is not a rivalry. You officially have to beat a team more than 10 times in the past 70-some-odd years for it truly to be a rivalry. However, another way to determine whether something is a rivalry is how pissed off you are when you do lose to said team and why you are pissed. Am I pissed whenever Ole Miss loses to State? Of course, I can't stand listening to those 'necks for an entire year . Am I pissed on the few occasions we lose to Memphis? Yes, but only because Memphis sucks, meaning our team sucks, thus knowing my entire college football season has been ruined on the first week. Ergo, not a rivalry.

by Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 11:11 AM EDT reply actions

From Memphis' point of view, yes. We're the biggest game on their schedule and when we play in Memphis, our game is the best-attended on their schedule thanks to 30K plus red-clad Ole Miss fans.

From our point of view: not no, but HELL NO. Who gives a damn about a C-USA program that has accomplished squat in their history. Their last quality win was in 1995. Ole Miss fans do not care about Memphis in any way shape or form. The only thing I'll truly miss about that series is our traditonal pep rally in the Peabody. Sad to see that go.

by P-Willie Style on Aug 26, 2008 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

I don't consider it a rivalry but I think we should continue to play them because it's a Win against a team that's been to a bowl game over the past years. They have some really talented players at times, and from a BCS aspect it's not as tough on as as playing a team like NW State or Samford.

So Overall I think it's a game that the fans can come to either away or home and it's pretty much a Win for us and brings us 1 game closer to getting to a bowl game every year.

by Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

It's a one-sided rivalry: Memphis State hates us and UT. They're jealous of us, plain as that.

And with us owning them, 45-10-2, I just don't think that would come close to constituing a rivalry.

by olemisscowboy on Aug 26, 2008 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

Daddy always told me that Memphis was the practice game. If we lost, it was going to be a long, long season.

by Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

Memphis is our rival in the same way that Poland was Germany's rival.

by Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

"Memphis is our rival in the same way that Poland was Germany's rival."

Pretty much sums it up.

by Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 3:35 PM EDT reply actions

I agree on all accounts, but I want you all to consider something for a moment....The Big East is pushing hard to expand so they can get revenue from a Champ. Game. Other than Marshall, I've heard no team's name as much as Memphis as far as teams they could pursue. If this is the case, then we would be playing a BCS school(yes, Big East, but at least not CUSA). I think that would make a difference and it would at least give the game legitimacy on our schedule. That's at least a step towards a rivalry.

by Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

45-10-2 does not make a rival.

by Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 4:02 PM EDT reply actions

I've never considered Memphis State a rival. If the game was in the middle of the year, I'd look at it as another Samford or UL-Monroe. The only reason the game means anything special to me is that it is the FIRST game of the season.

by Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 4:21 PM EDT reply actions

I'd say lately this game has turned into a rivalry game. The final score of this game for the past few years is proof. The talent gap between a SEC bottom feeder and a middle of the pack C-USA school is slim.

by Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 4:41 PM EDT reply actions

Semi-competition does not equal proof of a rivalry. Especially when O won 3 in a row.

by Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 5:02 PM EDT reply actions

I know the Ole Miss faithful feel like it's degrading to admit that it is a rivalry. I keep seeing people responding with "45-10-2" and shit like that. How many of those wins came against "West Tennessee Normal School" or "West Tennessee Teachers College" or whatever the hell it was called back then? You know, before it actually became a true University? The game has a lot of history and usually is exciting to watch. (except for the 3-0 game) Plus, the talent gap has narrowed considerably over the past several years. That's not a slight to the Rebels...it's that way for everyone in college football these days with the exception of a few. Yes, it is a rivalry even if the prize is only "bragging rights". It's not a gauge of how well your season will turn out either. Hell, Ole Miss lost to Memphis and still had their best season in 40 years under Cutcliffe. Oh, and keep up the good work, this blog is funny as hell!

by Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 5:24 PM EDT reply actions

I say no and this is why: I don't mind if Memphis has a winning season as long as we beat them. I hope for LSU and State to go 0-12 every year (of course that's impossible as they play each other, but you get my point).

by Bacchus815 on Aug 26, 2008 6:58 PM EDT reply actions

I'm upset some Ole Miss fans even consider this question. I'm more of a fan of the Poland/Germany analogy.

by SEC IDIOTS on Aug 26, 2008 11:01 PM EDT reply actions

I would posit that this many responses might point us at an unfortunate answer.

by Juco All-American on Aug 26, 2008 11:04 PM EDT reply actions

Perhaps the many responses just go to show how loyal and numerous your readers are. Or some shit like that.

by jimhalpert on Aug 27, 2008 11:14 AM EDT reply actions

I never realized close scores in recent games was "proof" of a rivalry. I guess that makes the Rebels and Gators rivals.

by ssmund on Aug 27, 2008 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

I would posit this many responses means we're bored and ready for the season to start.

Do I like Memphis? No. I hate them. But, I pretty much hate every school we play with the exception of perhaps UGA and South Carolina. I do not consider every school we play to be a rival, though. This game is a "rivalry" to Memphis and Ole Miss fans who live in Memphis.

I'd be pissed if we quit playing LSU or State. I don't give a rat's ass whether or not we play Memphis ever again. It's a piece of shit school with a piece of shit stadium in a piece of shit area of town. Build a new stadium next to FedEx Forum and I'd be glad to play there every other year.

by ssmund on Aug 27, 2008 3:01 PM EDT reply actions

I think the fact we go to such links to prove they are not a rival is an indication they may be at least a small one.

by Anonymous on Aug 27, 2008 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

I think the fact we go to such links to prove they are not a rival is an indication they may be at least a small one.

Yancy? Is that you?

by Red Solo Cup Admin on Aug 27, 2008 5:56 PM EDT reply actions

ssmund, the Liberty bowl is not a bad stadium. The last time I checked the Missisippi stadium was a high school, bleacher-style retrofit. You know, kind of like a renovated double-wide or something. It has come a long way though. The ONLY problem with our stadium is that it is not on campus.

by Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 3:11 PM EDT reply actions