At Saturday Down South, we have been running a series about all the week 1 football games in the SEC and ‘Five Things You Need To Know’ about each game. Here is a link to what we wrote about the Ole Miss vs. Jacksonville State game. One of our writers, Kyle Buffolino, also made a funny comment about Jacksonville State in his Ole Miss Season Prediction.

Well, shortly after our article went live, we noticed a funny response on a Jacksonville State blog, GamecockIllustrated.com. I reached out to their editor, Bill Nash, and told him that our Ole Miss fans would appreciate hearing a game analysis from the Jax St point of view. He put together this excellent article that I recommend you read and light up his comments section with responses to the trash talk against the Rebels. After a long dissertation about Ole Miss that has plenty of funny quotes, he provided a response to our article that include Five Reasons Jacksonville State Might Upset Ole Miss:

1. The Hound Dogs’ Best Running Back Plays For Jacksonville State. Yes, the best running back for the school f/k/a as Ole Miss has ever had, Darius “Tig” Barksdale now plays for Jacksonville State. Of course, Tig is only third string for JSU behind junior Calvin Middleton a converted fullback that would just as soon run over an opponent than by him. Calvin is complimented in the Gamecock backfield by Jamal Young, who at 5-7, 170, is worthy of the title toughest player pound for pound in college football. September 4th is also likely to be the coming out party for former North Mississippi Offensive Player of the Year, Richard Freelon, who redshirted last year for the Cocks. But don’t worry Rebs (I mean Hound Dogs), Tig will get a few carries and may have a message to deliver to the Ole Miss administration.

2. When You Have 3 Quarterbacks, You Really Have 0. Here we are 5 days before the season, and Magnolia State doesn’t know who its quarterback is. Of course, Masoli’s Oregon parole papers may not be finalized, but still it seems a little scary that the Hound Dogs haven’t named a #1 five days before the season (Editor’s Note – Masoli ruled ineligible for season). In contrast, JSU has a clear #1, Marques “Cool Hand” Ivory. Ivory apprenticed behind Ryan Perrilloux for the last two years, and JSU players will tell you there is not much difference between the two.

3. Magnolia State Will Not Be Able to Pass on the Gamecocks. Let’s face it, assuming he is released on time and is permitted to leave Oregon on Saturdays, Masoli is still not going to be ready. Ole Miss had a good quarterback last year, but like Elvis, he has left the building. This puts the Hound Dogs in a bind because JSU has two outstanding cornerbacks in T.J. Heath, a Pre-Season FCS, All American and A.J. “Awesome Jet” Davis a junior cornerback with 4.4 speed.

4. The Red Bandit Defense Will Bring the Heat. With Davis and Heath shutting down the Ole Miss receivers, JSU can load the box to stop the run and pressure the quarterback. Watch out for pressure up the middle from Tim McGee, a recent transfer to JSU who was rated the #3 JUCO Defensive Tackle in the Country. On the edge, the Gamecocks have three playmakers, Rodney “Big Texas” Garrott, Kevin Dix and Monte Lewis. Garrott’s body control and combination of speed and power make him essentially unblockable. Whoever the Hound Dogs’ quarterback is will surely get to know JSU Defensive End, Kevin Dix. Dix, is a 6-3, 260 pound specimen that actually returned punts earlier in his collegiate career. Finally, watch out for Monte Lewis. Lewis came to JSU weighing about 220. He is now up to 280 and is the best athlete on the team. Assuming cable TV has reached the Magnolia State, you will see him on Sundays in a couple of years.

5. The Student Can’t Beat the Teacher. The Gamecocks are led by Jack Crowe- he has seen it all in 30 plus years of coaching. We didn’t know this, but some reporter from Little Rock just texted Gamecockillustrated.com and informed us that Nutt used to work for Crowe. Crowe knows what Nutt will do before Nutt knows what Nutt will do. Advantage Jacksonville State.

You need to visit the article on Gamecock Illustrated for all that was said. Be kind with your comments and enjoy their other articles about the upcoming game.