Ole Miss played well, behaved poorly

The School Up North. We avoid using its proper name for a reason. After this past Saturday, it is clearer to me than ever just why that is. I am from North Alabama, so TSUN was never one of my choices for college. I didn’t visit the campus or even apply. I am glad I never did this.

Before the game, there was a lot of smack talk. There’s nothing wrong with that, especially in an intense rivalry like this one. However, during and after the game, TSUN fans took it way too far. 

The students and fans are not the only guilty ones. I feel like the absolute lack of class extended all the way up to the administration.

Throughout the game there were many examples of this utter lack of decency. When the Famous Maroon Band took the field for halftime, the whole stadium erupted in boos.

This by itself can be seen as not a huge deal, but factoring in the rest of the atmosphere, it can be seen as tacky.

After halftime, while exiting the field through one of the tunnels, TSUN fans spit on members of the FMB.

Later, the seniors of the Ole Miss band were recognized, as the game was their senior day. During a timeout, the seniors were escorted into the endzone directly in front of the student section.

While the seniors were being recognized, a drink was thrown at them from the student section. I realize drink throwing is for some reason a part of college football (our student section  remains certainly guilty of it, as well), throwing one at students of your own school is downright trashy.

As I said earlier, a certain amount of trash talk is healthy. However, common sense should be used.

There was a video spot run on the videoboard that was similar to our Video Vault. The difference between the two was TSUN’s video touted them injuring a Mississippi State player. You can choose to show as many touchdowns or interceptions against MSU as you like, but showing a play that resulted in an injury is unacceptable.

I will give it to them, TSUN definitely seemed to want to win the game more.

As much as it pains me to say this, TSUN deserved to win that game.

I would not have nearly as hard of a time accepting this if the fans acted with civility. Before the clock ran out, TSUN fans were jumping onto the field and spilling into the endzone.

Being excited about beating your rival is one thing, but beating an unranked team is not usually a reason to rush the field.

Emotions were running high, and with TSUN fans (many of whom were sloppily drunk) on the field, the environment was quite dangerous. I saw multiple TSUN fans jeering and taunting Mississippi State players.

When the coaches were finally able to get the MSU players into the locker room, they were spit on while entering the tunnel.

Until this year, I had not been to Baton Rouge for a football game. I have always heard stories about how terrible it is being a visiting fan.

I can honestly say I was a bit nervous going down there. After going, I will tell you those stories are untrue. 

I have only good things to say about them. The LSU fans were “spirited,” but no more so than happens in The Junction. I would gladly go back to Baton Rouge. I hereby propose Ole Miss be known as the LSU of college football, from here on out. I will never return to Oxford.

Everything I experienced made my disdain for The School Up North greater. Of course, I realize there are fans who conduct themselves like decent human beings.

To those who are not like I described, I am sorry. But in my mind, the miscreants have ruined your reputation for me.

In my heart, there is no question Mississippi State University is far superior to TSUN in every way. I will forever be Maroon and White. Hail State.