Jeff Lebby well-versed in importance of Egg Bowl rivalry
No one has to tell Jeff Lebby what the Battle of the Golden Egg is all about – the coach has already lived it.
For two seasons, Lebby coached the Ole Miss Rebels’ offense and was well aware of how important the game is inside the state. After enjoying two wins against the Bulldogs the first time around, though, Lebby now sits on the other side of things.
Lebby enters his first Egg Bowl as head coach of the Bulldogs and his mission is to beat a longtime friend of his in Lane Kiffin. Along with the battle on the field, the two go head-to-head in recruiting as well.
“I think for me, there’s this great understanding that this game is a huge deal. Knowing what it means to our fanbase, to our university, to our community in Starkville, it’s a big deal,” Lebby said. “From a recruiting standpoint and how we recruit against each other in this state, on Friday afternoon we got a ton to play for and we need to be at our best.”
Rebels playoff hopes are slim, but roster remains one of college football’s best
Friday afternoon’s annual meeting between the hated rivals is set for a 2:30 p.m. kick on ABC and it’s a chance for State to further play spoiler to the Rebels once-magical season. Ole Miss had a tremendous offseason locking down key returning roster players and adding elite transfers to the roster, but the Rebels’ playoff chances are now on life support at best with a 8-3 record and 4-3 mark in SEC play.
The three losses haven’t changed the fact that the Rebels are arguably one of the nation’s most complete teams when looking at both the offensive and defensive production. The defense has especially been impressive for the Rebels as they are among the SEC’s best with Pete Golding at the helm and they’ve consistently dominated the line of scrimmage.
“I think our guys understand and when you watch the tape, I don’t think there’s any question about it. The most talented roster we will have played all season long,” Lebby said. “It’s on the tape, exactly what it is from a personnel standpoint. We’ve got to find ways to finish in a great body position. We’ve got to fight and strain like heck to create air in the run game. Then we’ve got to give Mike (Van Buren) just enough time with some different things from a protection standpoint to give us a chance to go throw and catch.
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On the offensive side, last week’s loss against Florida was a difficult one for the Rebels to swallow. Quarterback Jaxson Dart is seasoned and fighting for most of the offensive records that the Rebels have, but the senior QB struggled in the second half and Florida came away with big interceptions on the last two possessions to win the game.
On Friday, however, Dart is facing a defense that has had trouble stopping anyone this year. Sophomore safety Isaac Smith has been one of the few bright spots on that side of the ball and the Fulton native will try to lead the defense to one of the biggest upsets in the game’s history.
As a son of a former Rebel football player, Smith grew up saying Hotty Toddy. On Friday, he will do everything he can to deliver an upset.
“Now it’s blood in the water and I don’t like them anymore. I bleed maroon and white from the bottom of my feet to the top of my head,” Smith said. “It’s definitely a big week for me with my dad playing there and my mom going there. It means a lot to me to play against these guys and play at this school.”
