My take on the State - Ole Miss rivalry has softened greatly in the recent years. Obviously I still want to win we play each other but I pull for OM when they are not playing us. Last year a number of my Ole Miss friends were glad when we won the CWS and I returned the favor this year.
Actually, when Ole Miss got the bid , I had a feeling that they were going to win it all. I told a number of people just that before the regionals ever started.

I am heartbroken about Leach and sad that I never got meet him. One of our daughters met him and has a photo them together.

When I was a youngster Ole Miss was dominating the rivalry 21-2-4 (1947-1973). So quite naturally there was a lot of resentment from State fans and hatred in those days because Ole Miss was simply better than us. My Dad stayed mad at Ole Miss for years after the 1963 game.
State led 10-7 late in the game and Ole Miss got down to the goal line and Johnny Vaught chose to kick a FG for the tie. That clinched the SEC for Ole Miss. My Dad was so mad about the tie. He would rather lost than tied.
State was four points away winning the Conference that year. Tied Florida 9-9 and lost Bama 20-19. Along with the tie game against Ole Miss.

Today though we are fairly even on the gridiron and it is more fun when we are both winning. This year is a good example. Very close game that went down to the wire.

Good luck to Ole Miss against Texas Tech.