news
Ole Miss has a rich football history, but I do not consider myself to be an Ole Miss historian.
Some of these games I covered, others I did not. Some of the games included in this list I've only read about.
I've enjoyed learning about Vaught's Ole Miss teams since I moved to Mississippi in 1989, but I didn't see those teams or the ones in the early years that followed.
With that asterisk, I present my list of the top 10 Ole Miss football wins of the After Vaught Era.
I welcome your opinions and modifications.
1 Notre Dame, 1977: I'm told it was very hot that day, and the Irish didn't handle the heat in Jackson. Notre Dame was ranked No. 6 and would not lose again in a national championship season. Ole Miss 20, Notre Dame 13.
2 Alabama, 1988: It remains the Rebels' only win in Tuscaloosa. Ole Miss 22, Alabama 12.
3 Florida, 2008: Florida was No. 4, and Ole Miss provided a glimpse of the team it would become later that season. Kentrell Lockett's blocked extra point was the difference in a 31-30 win.
4 Florida, 2002: The highest-ranked opponent (No. 4) beaten by a David Cutcliffe team. Ole Miss won 17-14.
5 Georgia, 1976: The Rebels were unranked when they defeated No. 4 Georgia 21-17 at homecoming in Oxford.
6 Auburn, 2003: It was a good Auburn team not a great one. Eli led a second-half comeback, and the Rebels survived a dropped Auburn pass in the end zone in the final seconds. It allowed the Rebels to continue to march unbeaten in SEC play toward the showdown with LSU.
7 LSU, 1986: The Tigers were No. 11 and would suffer their only SEC loss, 21-19.
8 LSU 2009: Ole Miss was unranked and had under-achieved to this point in the season when it out-played LSU in a 25-23 win that is also remembered for Les Miles' clock management.
9 Auburn, 1999: Again not a great Auburn team, but this was big for what it represented, a win over Tommy Tuberville when ill feelings for the way Tuberville left Ole Miss were still very fresh. Ole Miss 24, Auburn 17.
10 Alabama, 1976: Ole Miss was unranked and Alabama was No. 6 when Ole Miss won 10-7 in Jackson.
Ole Miss football has not been the same to me since 1962 season when they beat Miss State in Oxford ( i think this was a 10 win season).After that their record even under Vaught was not exciting, until Archie came on board about 1970, but Archie got his arm broken and that was it for him at Ole Miss. After 1962 season it seem to me that all the fight was taken out of the Rebels. Sure they won games but not as impressive as they once were.
I don't see Coach Freeze bringing them back either. Like I say the winning spirit has left them. It's a shame because they was once a proud team and now to let all their pride escape them.
JB