Payback Time: Alabama Vs Ole Miss

Revenge is in the air tonight as No. 15 Ole Miss rolls into Bear Country.  No. 2 Alabama will take on the Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium at 9:15 PM.  The game will air on ESPN.

The Rebels came away with a 23-17 victory last year at home against a stunned Tide and the jubilant fans rushed onto the field of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium tearing down the goalposts and parading the pieces around The Grove and The Square in Oxford.

Ole Miss has never beaten Alabama in back-to-back seasons.  The only time Ole Miss beat Alabama at home was waaaaaaay back in 1988.  Wins over Alabama are far and few between.  One fan mused, “Our hearts are broken year after year.”

That shocking defeat caused jaws to flap endlessly amongst sports writers and pundits who questioned whether Alabama could win the SEC Championship.  They did recover.  After all the bowl games and playoffs had been played, the Tide wound up with two losses and the rest of the SEC teams had at least three.

The Crimson Tide’s defense is about to be tested in ways it hasn't been since the Sugar Bowl, and it’s offense won't need any extra motivation to play an Ole Miss team that beat them a year ago.

Last week the Rebels’ defensive back, Tee Shepard, was ejected for targeting against Fresno State and the SEC Office imposed a half-game suspension today.

The Crimson Tide had the most efficient run defense in the country last year and returned five starters in their front seven. In games against Wisconsin and Middle Tennessee State, Bama allowed opposing running backs a scant 91 yards in 38 carries.

Ole Miss beat Bama with a so-so run game last year, but trust me, that ain’t something you want to try twice.

Bama wins by a touchdown.

ROLL TIDE!

And because no football post would be complete without pom-poms, please enjoy this photo of some Bama beauties.Get

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