THE BIG 3 Jason "Gator" Pigott

(10/21 - 10/25)

Ole Miss

All was well in Oxford last Saturday as the Rebels destroyed Alabama 43-28. Eli Manning accounted for 4 TD (3 pass, 1 rush) and the Rebel defense showed up for the second time in as many weeks. As most of you probably already know, this is the first time since 1970 that Ole Miss has been 3-0 in the SEC. Ironically, Eli's father, Archie Manning was the QB leading the Rebels that year.

Here is something I bet you didn't know: Ole Miss has beaten Alabama only 8 times in the last 51 years - half of those with either Archie or Eli Manning at QB. Is it the shoes? Nope, it's in the genes. When (son/brother) Peyton Manning was the QB at Tennessee, his teams went 3-1 against the Crimson Tide.

This week the Rebels will have to guard against an emotional letdown as an angry bunch of Arkansas Razorbacks invade "The Grove." Arkansas, losers of two straight SEC games (Auburn, Florida) see this as a must win situation. Senior QB, Matt Jones is one of the most underrated players in the country and will be tough for the Rebs to stop.

This will be an exciting game and well worth the price of admission. If Manning plays well and the defense can force some turnovers, the Rebels will have a chance to win in the 4 th quarter.

Gator's Pick: Arkansas 38 Ole Miss 35

USM

During the off week, the Golden Eagles went back to the basics on offense by practicing short yardage situations and their red zone offense. With good reason too. This season the offense is averaging just over 13 points a game. Head Coach Jeff Bower has made some changes on the offensive line as well as in the offensive backfield for this week's game against South Florida.

Starting RB's Tim Blackwell and James Walley will not be available. Blackwell has been suspended for conduct reasons and Walley is still nursing a groin injury. This means FB Anthony Harris will move to the RB position in order to take up the slack.

The QB position is also a mess. Senior QB Micky D'Angelo made his return to the practice field this week after recovering from a near career ending concussion and rotated working with the first team offense with Dustin Almond and Damion Carter. Bower plans to make a decision as to who will start at QB after Tuesday's practice. Will it be Almond, Carter, or D'Angelo? I don't think it will matter. The Eagle defense will score at least once to win this game.

Gator's Pick: USM 20 South Florida 19

Mississippi State

Last week was a rough one for the Bulldog faithful both off and on the field. On Friday, head coach Jackie Sherrill announced his retirement from coaching effective at the end of the season, and on Saturday the Dogs were run over by a Cadillac.

Sherrill will leave MSU as the coach with the most wins in school history. By leaving, he will also relinquish his title as the coach with longest running tenure in the SEC. Phillip Fulmer of Tennessee will take over that roll if the "powers that be" in Knoxville keep him around for another season.

On the field Saturday, it was ugly as promised. Carnell "Cadillac" Williams rushed for 161 yards and 6 TD against an anemic Bulldog defense en route to a 45-13 win. In fairness, the Auburn offensive line is probably the best in the SEC, but Kevin Fant and the offense were as equally pathetic on Saturday. The only bright spot was Bulldog backup QB, Kyle York who came in to relieve Fant late in the game. York was 7/8 for 119 yards and a TD.

Things will get a bit easier this week as the Dogs travel to Lexington, KY to take on the Wildcats. The QB tandem of Jared Lorenzen, and Shane Boyd leads the Wildcats. Lorenzen is the better passer but is built like a nose guard and not a threat to run. Boyd on the other hand, can beat you with his legs. Boyd got the start last week in the win over Ohio and should do the same this week.

No matter who starts for the Cats, they should score, and score often. The Bulldogs have "packed it in" until Ole Miss comes to Starkville on November 27 th .

Gator's Pick: Kentucky 42 MSU 31