To the victors go the spoils...Ole Miss dominates to win Cotton Bowl...MISS 47- TECH 34

DALLAS- Houston Nutt's Ole Mississippi Rebels squad was poised and impressive in their come from behind win in the 73rd and last Cotton Bowl at the State Fair of Texas site, over a valiant Mike Leach and Texas Tech today. "It's starts with defense!!" said a jubilant Coach Nutt after the game in his on the field interview with Fox Sports Jeanne Zelasko. He made good on his promise to seniors and got his team a trip to the post-season and a remarkable bowl game victory in just his first year at the school. His scrappy team finished second in the South Eastern Conference Western Division to Alabama.



Slowing down the Red Raiders was made a little easier for the Rebels as Michael Crabtree and Harrell were not able to hook up enough as the phenomenal wide receiver was limited with an ankle scoring only two yard touchdown in the middle of the second quarter. The Rebels defense turned in an all-around effort and was able stymie the raider attack with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Turnovers in bowl games are many times the affect of over excitement and inexperience but scoring touchdowns is something that senior Graham Harrell is known for in his stellar college career. Playing in his final game he had a good game throwing his NCAA record 134th touchdown but, he faced a furious rush from Mississippi and was not afforded the opportunity to succeed down the field because of Crabtree's notable limitations. Blogger JOHN393996 blogged on an ESPN blog after the game, "TEXAS TECH. SHOULD PLAY ALL THERE GAMES AT HOME. BECAUSE ON THE ROAD THERE A JOKE. SEE IF TECH COULD PLAY AT HOME ALL THE TIME. THEN THEY WOULD BE NATIONAL CHAMPS." I thought that was a spot-on expert opinion. The Red Raiders are really, really good at home (6-0) as are most college teams but, they are suspect on the road and seem to fall apart on the main stage away from home (4-1). With the cards on the table and the #1 ranking on the line they were stopped again with good defense from the now #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners.

It was a picturesque day in Dallas with clear blue skies and plenty of sun, the high temperature was well above 70 degrees. My family and I spent most of the day enjoying the sun and spring like temperatures. We were torn on who we thought would win the final game at the Cotton Bowl Stadium. After the Red Raiders, beat my beloved Longhorns I have to admit I was elated to see them go down today. Coach Nutt is a master game innovator and motivator so I was not surprised that his team was tenacious on defense.

My son Reggie is an avid NCAA 2008 gamer and wanted the Red Raiders to win. He left early to play basketball after Red Raiders went up 14-0 in the first quarter. I ran an errand with my wife during half time and came home late in the third quarter to see the Rebels ahead big, 38-21. They were steam rolling to the end zone again as the fourth quarter started and the game appeared to change when Tech was able to score making the game interesting at 38-28 with over twelve minutes to play. Ole Miss also fumbled the ball deep in Tech territory but their tough defense did not miss a beat as they were able to quickly sack Harrell forcing a safety. Ole Miss took the next drive in for another big touchdown and put the game out of reach at 47 - 28. Tech would get a garbage touchdown late in the fourth but failed to convert on a two point conversion and then their lineman went out bonkers forcing them to try a desperation onside kick inside of the 10 yard line. But to no avail because the Ole Miss squad was fixed on taking the game after their stumble in the first half. Congratulations to the Rebels and their fans!!