The Ole Miss Rebels, Not the Alabama Crimson Tide, Should Be Favorites for the SEC West

By Taylor Sturm
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

When there were undefeated teams in the SEC – although that time felt like it was ages ago – they were the Florida Gators, the Ole Miss Rebels and the LSU Tigers. Of these teams, only the Gators were thought to be deserving of an undefeated start to the season. It was just assumed that Ole Miss had gotten through an easy schedule. After Ole Miss dismantled the Tennessee Volunteers 92 – 74 in the opening game of SEC play, the Rebels may be the favorites in the SEC West.

The Alabama Crimson Tide has been expected since even last year to dominate the SEC West this season, but, after a string of losses, the Crimson Tide is 8-6. Ole Miss is 12 – 2. It should no longer be a question of if the Rebels are the best in the SEC West, but if they even have any challengers.

Yes, the Rebels lost to the MTSU Blue Raiders. However, MTSU is much better than anyone gives credit and, if they make it to the tournament, I firmly believe that they will win the first round game, even if it’s against a top seed. Just rewatch the Blue Raiders game against Florida and their potential is apparent. The other loss was in overtime to Indiana State – which is a bad loss, but every team plays badly one or two weeks in the season.

Ole Miss takes on the Missouri Tigers next in what will be a game that proves whether they deserve to be where they are or not. However, with the recent injury to Laurence Bowers, the Rebels are more than capable of winning. This game is Ole Miss’s chance to make a statement and show the rest of the country that they are one of the best teams in the SEC and not just in the SEC West.

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