re: Why Ole Miss had to replace Col Reb (long)

State's enrollment on the Starkville campus in 2010-11 is 20,000 with plans on adding to that number for the next decade. Where are they coming from? Memphis, Texas, etc. State is trying to increase OOS enrollment by making OOS tuition waivers more available and recruiting students in these areas. Facilites like the student union, business school, dorms, have seen massive facelifts to make the school more attractive as well as the athletic department. Good facilities, quality education at a low price, and a school looking to make a splash on the field of play is going to contribute to the growth of MSU. OTOH the powers that be at OM and Oxford want the school to remain somewhat small as well as Oxford. Is that a bad thing? Definetly not. Ole Miss/Oxford is better as a smaller school/town than the alternative.

LSU saw a ton of growth in OOS enrollment which had a lot to due with the LSU name brand getting out with the schools' success on the playing field. Not that MSU is going to ever get to that level but more competitive programs will help get the school's name out.