Mississippi State LB John Lewis roasts Ole Miss 'Come to the Sip' mantra: 'This is our state'

Mississippi State and Ole Miss have one of the most heated rivalries in the SEC. And at SEC Media Days, Bulldogs linebacker John Lewis added some fuel to the fire of that rivalry well before the Egg Bowl matchup in late November to end the regular season.

On Wednesday, Lewis was asked about the Rebels’ ‘Come to the Sip’ mantra, providing some choice words regarding the phrase and Ole Miss in general regarding their standing in the state of Mississippi.

“It’s overrated,” Lewis said, according to Chris Low. “This is our state. Everybody knows that. We run the Sip because we run Mississippi.

“We’ve been saying it. They’re just following us, so it’s OK. They literally want to be us.”

Mississippi has been referred to as the Sip for quite some time, but the Come to the Sip saying has been popularized by Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebeles’ program in the last few years. Used frequently as a hashtag on their social media pages and even displayed on Ole Miss apparel.

Lewis’ issue with the phrase may come with it tabbing Ole Miss as the premier team in the state that recruits should come to.

Come to the Sip has taken on a life of its own and has even been remixed by Kiffin and Ole Miss on social media. From the use of #PartyInTheSip, to #DripInTheSip, and even Transfer to the Sip, with the Rebels finding plenty of success in the transfer portal era.

Many players have been coming to the Sip lately through the transfer portal, with Kiffin bringing in his third straight impressive portal class that ranked No. 1 in the nation for 2022, No. 6 in 2023, and No. 3 in the most recent offseason according to On3’s Football Team Transfer Portal Rankings. With his year’s class potentially being the strongest with additions like Juice Wells, Walter Nolen, and
Princely Umanmielen.

Meanwhile, Mississippi State brings in a new-look roster and coaching staff led by new head coach Jeff Lebby. The offensive mastermind who’s getting his first shot at being a head coach at the highest level of college football in the SEC. As he’ll look to start things off on the right foot this upcoming season and gain some ground in the all-time Egg Bowl rivalry that Ole Miss currently leads at 65–46–6.