Jackson Free Press

Mississippi State is a McGowan family tradition. As a third-generation Bulldog, my parents raised me to do certain things: to treat others with respect, to fight for State and to perform to the best of my ability, but not necessarily in that order.

Maroon and white run thick in my blood, and "Hail State" is an acceptable response to most questions in my parents' house. But with the maroon and white comes a strong dislike of red and blue together.

I am all for the Dawgs. Growing up, certain events happened every year without fail. Every person in the family had a birthday, Christmas and Easter would happen and the Mississippi State and Ole Miss would always face off in the Egg Bowl. I quickly learned how marvelous it feels to beat Ole Miss in anything—especially in the Egg Bowl.

Some of my earliest family memories involve the Egg Bowl. Apparently, I have attended numerous Egg Bowls that I do not remember because I was so young, but I do remember sitting with one of my cousins while watching the game during the only time my extended family celebrated Thanksgiving together.

My cousin's father went to Ole Miss, but his mother, my blood relative, was raised a State fan. My cousin felt conflicted about what team to support. As I was around 8 years old, I don't remember what I actually said, but I can say without a doubt that I threw him some shade with a sassy facial expression and told him, "Go dawgs." Even then, I was true maroon.

That has not changed for me. I've stood in Davis Wade in bitter weather, drenched to the bone due to rain that just wouldn't let up, cheering on the Dawgs during the 2011 Egg Bowl and ringing my cowbell until the last second.

This season—my senior year—things are different. Not only is CBS covering the Egg Bowl for the first time, the Dawgs are different. State has a solid, Heisman-worthy quarterback in Dak Prescott. We have a "bowling ball" running back who breaks through multiple tackles before being brought down in Josh Robinson. And let's not forget the "psycho defense"; these players have been vital to this year's 10-1 record.

Statistics and rankings aside, the Egg Bowl is a rivalry game—and the birthplace of the legendary cowbell. Rankings and national competitions take the backseat to destroying an in-state rival. But the game is significant for both teams', especially State's, postseason hopes. Both are already bowl-eligible, but the Dawgs are looking to remain in the College Football Playoff scope since we dropped to No. 4 in the AP Poll and College Football Playoff rankings after losing (the first half) to Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Even in the aftermath of the Alabama game, Dak Prescott said he believes State is still one of the best four teams in the country, and I agree with him.

Mississippi State is going to decimate, or at least beat, Ole Miss. It's a fact, so Ole Miss fans should get used to it. Mississippi State is the all-around better team and a team with more at stake and more to fight for—including a national championship berth.

MSU is not going to lose another game, especially against Ole Miss in Oxford during the Egg Bowl. Always Hail State!