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When the first colonists arrived on New World soil, they foresaw two important institutions necessary to their continued survival and expansion. The first was the utter annihilation of indigenous peoples who failed to conform to Old World sociopolitical prerogatives; the second was internecine football strife among the various colonies that one day would grace this vast continent. And so, Thanksgiving college football rivalry week was born.
The ineffable majesty of collegiate rivalry games involves the contempt bred of familiarity. Those people over there do things just a little bit differently than we do over here, and by golly I hate them for this minor difference. In the final analysis, collegiate rivalries boil down to a neighborly dispute over hedge heights, just multiplied tens-of-thousands-fold and, importantly, injected with far more violence.
And so for the second straight year, Ole Miss and Mississippi State enter the Egg Bowl ranked and angry. The stakes are considerably less pressing -- at least from a national championship conversation perspective -- but try telling that to Dan Mullen and Dak Prescott, who saw a No. 4 spot evaporate before their very eyes last year in Oxford. Wonderful.
Probably every televised game is worth a watch Saturday (and Bill C. put together a nifty comprehensive guide), so in lieu of suggestions and tips, please enjoy the raging acrimony of RIVALRY WEEK with loved ones and leftovers. You're all the best.
How to watch
Kickoff: 6:15 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN2
Online Streaming: WatchESPN
Complete schedule