No. 191 - Poor Man’s Game Notes VIII: UGA vs. Miss State, 11/8/25

Mississippi State … where do I begin?

Cowbells and copycat mascots aside, it’s the SEC school we’re least familiar with – especially in light of the fact that its neighbor, Ole Miss – home of Faulkner, Dixie Carter, and the Mannings – is ground zero for Southern Royalty.

So, in an attempt to scratch the curiosity itch, I did some research and found a few interesting facts about the Ashley Wilkes of the SEC (operative word: “few”).

1st – Machine Gun Kelly, the infamous gangster, studied agriculture at State, but found school terribly difficult: in fact, his academic career was awash in demerits and poor marks, with the exception of his highest grade, a C+, awarded for good physical hygiene. So he left academia – cleanly shaven and wearing deodorant – for a life of crime. He eventually made his way to Alcatraz, where fellow inmates renamed him Pop Gun Kelly in a clear sign of disrespect. My guess: he would’ve kept his moniker had he been an Ole Miss alum.

2nd – Writer John Grisham received his undergraduate degree from Mississippi State, but got his JD from Ole Miss – so it’s a wash. Besides, when you think of a gentleman writer from Mississippi, he’s an Oxford man.

That’s it — my research is as threadbare as a hog’s patience. But, in my defense (and not to be disrespectful, even though I did refer to these lesser bulldogs as the Ashley Wilkes of our conference), Mississippi State is a bit threadbare.

So we’ve got a boring game in a boring town. I guess it’s better than Possumneck Bible & Tractor College, or whoever we stroke seven-figure checks to when we need a cupcake.

We’ll endure the clanking of cowbells until we’re up 14–0 halfway through the first. Most of us will already be thinking about Texas next weekend – but until then, let’s bask in our current standing, which can only be described as very Rhett Butler.

Give ’em hell, Kirby!