Egg Bowl Rivalry Game Set for Black Friday Showdown in 2024
The long-standing, eagerly anticipated college football rivalry game, the Egg Bowl, between Mississippi State and Ole Miss has been scheduled for a Black Friday kick-off in the year 2024, as reported by a prominent sports journalist. This annual, high-stakes match-up has traditionally been hosted on Thanksgiving since 2017, barring pandemic disruptions during the 2020 season.
The Seed Southeastern Conference (SEC) schedule release for this season originally placed the game on a Saturday, but asserted the potential for date changes. The Black Friday game will commence at 2:30 p.m. CST and is set to be aired from Ole Miss’ vaunted Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Last Year’s Egg Bowl Battle
In their last clash in Starkville, the Ole Miss Rebels proved victorious over the Mississippi State Bulldogs, edging a narrow victory with a score of 17-7. This triumph secured Coach Lane Kiffin a commendable 3-1 record against opposing forces Mississippi State.
For the forthcoming 2024 game, Mississippi State will be obliging the guidance of their newly appointed coach Jeff Lebby, previously an offensive coordinator under Kiffin. Lebby was recruited in replacement of former coach Zach Arnett who was relieved of his role. Arnett has since integrated into Kiffin’s staff, assuming the role of an analyst.
Change in Rivalry Routines
The shift of Egg Bowl from its usual Thursday fixture to Friday marks an intriguing departure in the rivalry routines. It is speculated that the move aims to garner more attention to this historically riveting competition, moving it away from a packed Thanksgiving Day slate and into the less congested Black Friday slot.
A Glance at the Rivalry History:
The Egg Bowl rivalry dates back to 1901 and restlessly oscillates between victory and defeat for both teams. The fans await the game each year as Thanksgiving nears, eager to see who will end the year with the bragging rights of victory. As of current standings, the Ole Miss Rebels lead the series with 63 wins to Mississippi State Bulldogs’ 47, with 6 encounters ending in a tie.
An early confrontation in 1926 gave the match its unique name, ‘Egg Bowl’. That year, a fight broke out among fans over the game ball. It was then decided by the student bodies to buy a trophy in the shape of a football to commemorate the winner, often referred to as the ‘Golden Egg’ since that momentous game.
Expectations for the 2024 Egg Bowl
Needless to say, the Egg Bowl remains one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the college football calendar. All eyes will be on the 2024 match-up as Ole Miss seeks to defend its title while Mississippi State looks to reverse their recent run of form under new leadership. One thing is for certain: No matter the outcome, the anticipation, rivalry, and fervor surrounding the Egg Bowl will persist, a testament to the game’s legendary status within the annals of college football.
