Dear State

Dear State,

I hereby dedicate my 10,000th post to you in a fashion that not only espouses the virtues of our rivalry but also carries on a timeless tradition.

It has been apparent as of late that we are all the same. Whether we root for Ole Miss or for Mississippi State, we all carry with us similar flaws. While your flaws far outnumber any other school's, including our own, we are often able to meet in a place of solidarity to join you as we "GRIND" for our state. In light of this new brotherhood, I felt the need to reiterate a few things about our relationship.

1. The University of Mississippi is the flagship university of the state of Mississippi. Mississippi State University has always been and will always be little brother. As your average little brother, you tend to be a bit belligerent when faced with this fact. My advice to you is to accept it and move forward, rallying your fanbase to get back on the track towards the occasional Egg Bowl Championship.

2. Your football coach has not only hit HIS ceiling, he has hit your PROGRAM's ceiling. There's really nowhere to go but down, guys. I know it's hard to accept but life will even out and the sun will shine brighter if you give it an earnest shot.

3. Please temper your "grinding" by remembering that you're the only school in the SEC with an all-time record under .500 in football (.485 to be exact).

4. Also realize that while you felt like you were flailing into an abyss of losses and nothingness during the Croom regime, he really didn't set your program back very much. Realize that. Think about that. Don't waste this moment of reflection.

BONUS: I'll mention this because it makes me chuckle: our head football coach is not only the state's premier head football coach; he's also the state's most prolific basketball coach.

I love you all and look forward to another 10,000 posts!