One of my favorite words is actually German in origin: “schadenfreude”
The Oxford English dictionary defines schadenfreude as “pleasure derived by someone from another person’s misfortune.” For Mississippi State football fans suffering through the slog of a 2-8 (and counting) season, schadenfreude is about all there is to cling to for 2024, other than the possibly misguided hope that things will turn around in 2025.
Don’t believe me? Recall how you felt after seeing the following results: Kentucky’s Sept. 28 victory over Ole Miss? Delighted. Vanderbilt’s stunning Oct. 5 upset of Alabama? Overjoyed. Texas A&M’s Oct. 26 win over LSU and then subsequent Nov. 22 shellacking at the hands of South Carolina? Couldn’t be happier.
How, then, did you feel after Ole Miss’ domination of Georgia on Saturday in Oxford? For me, it’s complicated.
To be fair, I know lots of great folks associated with the University of Mississippi, and I wish them continued happiness and success as they educate and mentor the next generation of Mississippi leaders.
But I’m talking here about “Ole Miss” – the athletics brand – and all its inherent and incongruous Confederate-themed iconography; blue, red, gray, stars and bars and Colonel Reb (officially retired in 2003, still appearing on t-shirts and bumper stickers everywhere.) Ole Miss also just happens to be Mississippi State’s closest cultural, financial and philosophical rival.
The Rebels’ win over Georgia presented the ultimate dilemma. On one hand, Georgia has ruled the SEC for the past four seasons, so it’s always great to watch them come back down to earth a bit. But, on the other, it’s Ole Miss. Why should they have nice things?
I watched the waning minutes with a mixture of shock and amusement. Is Georgia really this bad? Is Ole Miss really this good? Did fans really rush the field with 16 seconds still left on the clock? Yes, yes and yes.
We’re in the midst of one of the most topsy-turvy seasons in recent college football history. (Google “2007 college football season” for a historical comparison). Ten weeks in, however, the Rebels have positioned themselves for a berth in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, with winnable games against Florida and Mississippi State remaining on the schedule. If things fall as I expect they will, Ole Miss will be one of four two-loss SEC teams and own the best win – over Georgia – out of that group.
Unless …
Mississippi State has two games remaining on its schedule; home for Missouri and in Oxford to face Ole Miss. The Egg Bowl presents a fascinating opportunity for the Bulldogs to ruin the Rebels’ season. One win does not a season make, but an Egg Bowl win – especially this Egg Bowl – would take some of the sting out of a 3-9 record. I believe the Germans have a word for that.
Philip Poe is sports editor.
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