Jackson Free Press

In my 36 years of life, I have never seen the college football world so squarely focused on Mississippi. Maybe it is a year for dark horses in the SEC. Maybe the time has come for the last to be first and the first to be last in the SEC West.

Since both Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi are 4-0 right now, this week will be special for the state. Everyone should drink this season's victories in and enjoy them while they last because one thing I know is football can give, and football can take away.

SEC play has wrecked several potentially exceptional seasons for the Rebels and Bulldogs, but maybe all that misery paid the dues for long-suffering fans. Heck, if the Boston Red Sox can win the World Series and the Saints can win the Super Bowl, then why can't the Bulldogs or the Rebels win the SEC West? Why not see both schools in the new playoff?

Nothing says Mississippi as a state can't crash the party. If Boise State can take the BCS, it is more than possible the Rebels and Bulldogs can make noise in the playoffs. Recently, both SEC schools have had success in baseball, earning spots in the College World Series. The Rebels even played in the championship series.

The best teams of the SEC West have made their marks on defense, and the Rebels and Bulldogs excel on that side of the ball. Mississippi State has a budding Heisman contender in quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott can make a statement against Texas A&M and, with a win, become the Heisman favorite after beating LSU and the Aggies in back-to-back games. He could lock up the award with great play by the middle of November.

Both schools still have a long way to go, but Mississippi is set up for something special. This Saturday, we will find out if this is a magical season or more heartbreak. ESPN's "College GameDay" is coming to Mississippi for the first time ever on Oct. 4. Lee Corso, Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and the rest of the crew will go to Oxford that day for Mississippi against Alabama.

Starkville will have its own visitors as "SEC Nation" will visit when State battles Texas A&M. Joe Tessitore, Paul Finebaum and former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow will make an appearance.

If Mississippi State defeats Texas A&M, and Auburn gets past LSU, "College GameDay" just needs to move down the road to Starkville for the Bulldogs and Tigers the next week.