THE BIG 3 WEEKLY By Jason "Gator" Pigott

Ole Miss

Saturday, for three and a half quarters, the Rebels looked like the future SEC West champions. After that, things got a little dicey as the South Carolina Gamecocks mounted a ferocious comeback in the fourth quarter only to come up a little short.

Leading 43-14 with about four minutes to go in the third quarter, it appeared as though the Rebels were in cruise control heading into their showdown with Auburn. However, Dondrail Pinkins and the Gamecocks had other ideas. South Carolina scored on four straight possessions including a 98-yard pass for TD to cut the lead to 43-40. Had they gotten another possession, the outcome might have been different. It took an Eli Manning sneak on a 3rd down and inches with about a minute left to seal the deal.

Manning showed why he has a future in the NFL with another great performance through the air. He finished with nearly 400 yards passing with 3 TD and 1 INT. The running game was also effective as Tremaine Turner carried the ball 25 times for 118 yards and two scores.

This week, we find out if the Rebels are a championship caliber team as they go on the road to face the Auburn Tigers. Last week the Tigers shamelessly destroyed the Indians of UL-Monroe 73-7. This game was over before the opening kick as the Tigers led 45-0 at halftime.

However, Rebel fans do not be dismayed. Contrary to popular belief, a blowout win against an inferior opponent does very little in helping a team prepare for a big game. While Tommy Tuberville and friends were busy running up the score (dreaming of beating LSU) on a defenseless UL-Monroe squad, they were actually hurting themselves. (No, Carey I don't have a temperature nor did I eat too much candy while trick-or-treating last Friday night.)

Many times in a blowout win like this, players at the college level tend to lose focus with reality and start believing that they are better than what they actually are. I could list examples, but I don't have the time and this computer doesn't have enough memory to do so. It takes a mentally tough team coupled with an equally competent coaching staff to be ready to play every week regardless of the opponent. Auburn is not that team and Tuberville & Co. is not that coaching staff.

Think back to the beginning of this season. Auburn was a media darling and picked by many "experts" to figure into the national title hunt. The Tigers promptly lost their first two games. In fact, it took them nine quarters of football before they got their first touchdown!

On Saturday, Auburn will expect the Rebels to lay down like UL-Monroe and that just will not happen. Because of this, look for Ole Miss to get some opportunities early in the game off turnovers. If they can turn those mistakes into points and build a lead, the lesson learned in the South Carolina game will guide them to a 6-0 mark in the SEC.

Gator's Pick: Ole Miss 27 Auburn 23

USM

The Eagles were soaring high in the Hub City last weekend. Everything went right for Southern Miss against a badly overmatched LA-Lafayette team. By the time the dust had settled the final score was 48-3.

The Eagle defense was without it's leader LB Rod Davis but was still dominant. Davis was given the week off to heal from some nagging injuries but will be ready to go this week against Houston. He will be needed as the Eagles try to slow a potent Cougar offense that is averaging 35 points a game in C-USA play.

The Cougars are 2-2 in C-USA and have an excellent true freshman quarterback by the name of Kevin Kolb. Kolb has torched defenses all season long by throwing for over 1900 yards and 17 TD with only 3 INT. The weakness of this team is the defense. They haven't been able to stop anybody. In fact, the Cougars are allowing over 40 points a game verses C-USA opponents. That kind of defense won't even win many Arena League games!

This week, Dustin Almond will get the starting nod at quarterback. He was sharp against LA Lafayette, going 11 of 15 for 187 yards and 2 TDs. The Eagles will be without the services or RB Tim Blackwell for the fourth time this season due to a team imposed suspension but that shouldn't matter much.

Head Coach Jeff Bower and his staff should be commended for their use of the off week following the Alabama game. During the extra week, they realigned the offensive line and it has paid off in a big way. The Eagles were averaging only 14 points a game before the changes were made. Since that time, the offense is scoring 38 per contest! They should have some success against a porous Cougar defense.

The Houston Cougars will put up a fight on their home field, but the Eagle defense will be too much for a true freshman quarterback to handle.

Gator's Pick: USM 24 Houston 17

Mississippi State

It has been a tough season in Starkville and Tuscaloosa. The Dogs are 2-6 overall and 1-3 in SEC play and are in the process of finding a new coach for next season. It has also been a tough season for Alabama as their record isn't much better (3-6, 1-4) under first year coach Mike Shula.

The Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide should be well rested after an off week and each will be trying to build on something for next year. This game will be played like a scrimmage and should be a real "snoozer".

Alabama has played close with SEC heavyweights, Arkansas, Georgia, and Tennessee and are in the process of building for next year under first year head coach Mike Shula. They will have a more positive state of mind for this one as the Dogs are still floundering under a lame duck coach.

State has some good athletes on offense and they will make some plays, but not enough to sway the outcome of this one. The MSU defense is a slow and beaten squad. The worst defense in the SEC will get no reprieve, as the Crimson Tide will roll.

Gator's Pick: Alabama 41  MSU 16