In recent years, the Egg Bowl rivalry game between Ole Miss and Mississippi State has been an evenly matched affair.

Since 2004, the annual series is tied, with both the Bulldogs and Rebels earning six victories.

But, with both teams earning more prominence on the national level, Hugh Kellenberger, a columnist for The Clarion-Ledger, said the hatred between the schools has gotten out of hand:

It’s delighting in Robert Nkemdiche jumping out of a hotel room window or Dak Prescott’s arrest on DUI charges. It’s responding to any mention of the NCAA’s investigation into Ole Miss with a retort about the one-game suspension for Jeffery Simmons. It’s a demented game of, “anything you can do, I can do better.” Instead, it’s “anything we did, I can find something you did worse.”

As the game has gotten more important in terms of bowl game standings, Kellenberger said the tension levels between the fanbases has risen as each frets about staying in the spotlight:

My personal theory for what has changed: both programs got good. Really good. And instead of delighting in the respective rises of Mississippi State and Ole Miss football, there’s a worry that there’s only room for one at the inn and your program’s survival depends on the other’s demise. It’s the crab mentality — the moment one rises to the top of the barrel, the others will do everything they can to pull him down.

Do you agree with Kellenberger’s assessment of the rivalry? If so, what can be done to fix it?