Crimson vs. White: 'Bama/Ole Miss preview

In Wednesday's victory over Auburn in Oxford, the two-headed fickle monster of Terrico White and Chris Warren emerged – scoring 47 of the Rebel's 85 points.

It was something The Cup expected to see all season. Warren and White, the dynamic guard duo, leading the Rebels to an SEC West championship and an NCAA tournament berth.

Unfortunately, both of those accomplishments have long odds against the Rebels now. SEC Western division leader, Mississippi State holds not only a two-game lead over the Rebels but also any tiebreakers against Ole Miss.

The Rebels can't lose, and the Bulldogs have to lose the remainder of its games for Ole Miss to capture the crown.

'Bama is playing for next season and showed in Oxford what a dangerous team they can be.

A 23-point lead in the second half. Play that scenario out 50 times with Bama and Ole Miss, and the Rebels don't win the game more than three or four times.

The Crimson Tide should be out for blood at 1 p.m. when the game tips off in Tuscaloosa. Coaches are encouraging players to close out a mediocre season to build momentum for next year. 'Bama has dropped six of its last seven, most of which were on the road.

Tide fans most likely were much like Rebel fans before this season – a two-headed team in the form of Mikhail Torrance and Jamychal Green leading the team to numerous victories. The pair averages nearly 30 points per game combined.

Anthony Brock and Charvez Davis offer sparks off the bench with a good shooting touch from beyond the arc. Tony Mitchell and Senario Hillman have developed into key role players for 'Bama offering valuable minutes as Mitchell snatches rebounds and Hillman gives another possible outside shooting option.

Terrico must continue to drive the lane as he did against Auburn for the Rebels to win today. The refs will not be on Ole Miss' side – let's be real, 'Bama at home, gets some ridiculous calls. The Tide are 10-5 on the year at home with close losses everywhere you look. 

Both Vandy and Florida escaped Tuscaloosa with one-point wins earlier in the season. If 'Bama offers the same kind of intensity shown in those games, the Rebels won't come away with a win. Ole Miss has not had a game recently where the offensive and defensive intensity was evident early on. The Rebels can't afford to let the Tide build a 20 plus point lead again.

Currently, Ole Miss is on the outside looking in for an at-large berth in the Big Dance. NIT experts(see: guys who aren't married, over 35 and live in a relative's basement) put the Rebels at a two seed. There's lots of breaks that need to fall Ole Miss' way.

A win at Bama would offer a small boost to RPI. Some RPI services have 'Bama as a high 60's team, which should be a decent challenge on the road. 

I'll be watching the scoreboard, however, to see how Mississippi State fares and if they'll eliminate Ole Miss from any division championship hopes. Our players and coaches may get caught doing the same.

Final prediction

Ole Miss 67

Alabama 69