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Mississippi State

Mike Leach hilariously breaks down how holidays factor into preparations for Egg Bowl, postseason games

Screenshot 2023-07-18 at 4.54.37 PMby:Riley Gates•11/24/22•

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FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - NOVEMBER 6: Head Coach Mike Leach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs walks into the stadium before a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium on November 6, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Bulldogs 31-28. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Mike Leach and Mississippi State are in an interesting position on Thanksgiving Day, having to play a rivalry game against Ole Miss, rather than celebrate the holiday with family. The game being on a holiday makes for a unique situation but one that Leach is very familiar with as a football coach.

“I think that’s a good question because I’ve wondered that myself,” Leach said. “You think about how to organize your practice, you know? I think that there’s kind of an adjustment the day right after the previous game.  And then I think you want to quickly set the schedule. And then it’s all in, everybody focuses. I think it’s clear, though. You want to make the decision clear who’s where, who’s when, who’s what, make that clear the next day. … It’s kind of like bowls. You don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, really. I mean, you talk about Thanksgiving. A lot of people talk about Thanksgiving. They think that everybody’s leaving practice and the game and racing to eat turkey. Which really isn’t the case.”

Leach and the Bulldogs enter the rivalry game — the final game of the season — with a 7-4 overall record. Mississippi State has been able to achieve success like that due to some solid defensive play in 2022. The Bulldogs rank 48th nationally in scoring defense, giving up 24.3 points per game, and 39th in total defense, giving up 351.7 yards per game. Leach will need strong defensive play like that on Thursday night.

Ole Miss enters the Egg Bowl ranked 24th in scoring offense, putting up 35.3 points per game. The Rebels are also fourth in total offense at 505.5 yards per game. Quarterback Jaxson Dart has been a key piece of that success, averaging 214.8 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game in the air.

A big rivalry in the spotlight

The Egg Bowl between these two teams is one of the more iconic rivalries in all of college football. And as of late, the rivalry has been rather split. While the Rebels have won two straight in the rivalry, Mississippi State had previously won three of the last four. The Rebels hold an all-time record in the series of 64-46-6.

Ole Miss enters the game having lost three of its last four, while Mississippi State has won two of the last three.