Mike Leach explains why emotions are so high for the Egg Bowl

Mike Leach recognizes why the emotions get amped up for the Egg Bowl, even if he’s only been at Mississippi State a short while.

Ahead of the Bulldogs’ showdown with the Ole Miss Rebels, Leach explained his belief as to why the Egg Bowl gets the juices flowing throughout Mississippi.

“I think it’s because they’re close together. They like to talk about it. It gives them something spirited to talk about and do throughout the year. They know more people that are on the opposite side. So I just think it’s good that way,” explained Leach. “People always gravitate towards rivalries.

“Occasionally you’ll get a rival fan or somebody who thinks they’re special. Somehow they left or went to a different conference, heck we’d have them replaced by the end of the week. Say Ole Miss disappeared or went to the I don’t know, the Big East or whatever, we’d replace them with Arkansas or LSU, I would imagine before the following Thursday, wouldn’t we? But for the time being, we’re focused on them and let’s get after them.”

Still, Leach made it a point to state that players only have their best to give, and that the Egg Bowl is the perfect time to take their game to another level.

“Maybe. It might,” Leach responded, asked if the game meant more than others. “You only have your best — you go out there and do your best. Whatever you think is your best. Play your best, get in the best position you can to perform your best, that’s what you’ve got. It’s not like there’s a reserve. Nobody wants to play for or be coached by or coach players who are sitting there — and there are a few of them, I don’t like it — that are operating on a reserve. We’ve got some kind of reserve, we’re holding back. Well, you’re just falling short of your potential, so there’s no really holding back. I mean, you’re trying to hit full potential all the time so that the more times you do it your full potential becomes something greater than it was before.

“So there’s no real reserve, everybody’s out there trying as hard as they can. They may miss-try or be incorrect or may even inspire and do something special, but you know, everybody’s — the right player, the right coaches are trying to do their best and do everything they can.”

Nevertheless, Mississippi State will look to dig deep and capture victory over Ole Miss, but Mike Leach will for sure not take Lane Kiffin and the Rebels lightly.