Ole Miss and Mississippi State may not be undefeated or ranked heading into tonight’s Southeastern Conference game at C.M. “Tad” Smith Coliseum, but the outcome for both teams means just as much as any the two have played for in recent years.

Both the Rebels and Bulldogs are 0-1 in SEC play heading into tonight’s 8 p.m. game that can be seen on ESPN2. Neither team can afford too many losses to SEC West teams this season with the RPI being so low for all those teams on that side of the conference. For the Bulldogs, who have an RPI in the 200s, a setback tonight would make them 8-8 overall, while the Rebels are 12-4 and have an RPI in the mid 60s.

Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy said it’s important to get off to a good start at home in the SEC and build momentum for Saturday’s matchup with No. 23 Georgia. (January 13, 2011, Page 6)