Starting Five: Iron Bowl means more than ever
02/14/2025
By Chris Marler
This is generally used as a fluff, introductory opener to the meat of the article. However, there’s no time for fluff this week. It’s the biggest weekend of the year. Let’s get right to it.
- Apocalypse is at Hand
For the first time in the history of this conference two teams are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in basketball. It took 90 years for the league to get there. It took one week for those two teams to then meet, which will take place at Coleman Coliseum on Saturday. Alabama and Auburn will face off for the 171st time, marking the first time both programs have met as top-10 teams—and the stakes make it one of the biggest games in each program’s history.
This will be special, and it’s the first of at least two meetings we get to watch.
- Texas A&M already lost this Saturday
The Aggies haven’t lost on the court yet. They’re actually an 8.5 point favorite over Arkansas. However, wearing these uniforms is a massive “L” for everyone involved. Yikes.
TRENDING: Texas A&M just dropped a new basketball uniform👍
Thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/OzxgnLpZwX
— On3 (@On3sports) February 14, 2025
- Egg Bowl Rematch
The second weekend in February is usually significant in Mississippi because it means it’s Opening Day. What Chris Jans and Chris Beard have built on the basketball court in the Magnolia State is truly something. The two will meet in the Pavillion in Oxford, Mississippi this Saturday. Mississippi State needs this win badly. While Ole Miss continues to impress the tournament committee with a fantastic resumé that truly has no bad losses on it. The winner will get bragging rights in the state and the right to stay ranked for another week in the AP Poll.
- Pack the Steg, because Mike White desperately needs it
A few Sundays ago one of the segments in this very article was “Rank Georgia you cowards.” Since that piece was posted, Georgia has lost seven of their last nine. Not sure if the author needs to apologize to the poll voters for being wrong or Georgia fans for jinxing it. Either way, sorry. Georgia needs this win more than ever. They’re at home which should help as the Bulldogs are 13-2 at home. However, they are coming off a loss where they led by 11 in the first half, only to lose by 16 at the end of regulation. That included a 22-0 run Texas A&M went on.
- Who’s on upset alert?
There are several nominees for this week. Kentucky visiting Texas seems like a good choice, and so does Arkansas visiting College Station. However, the answer is in Oxford. Mississippi State desperately needs a win to stop their mid-season slide in conference play. Josh Hubbard thrives in moments like this. Mississippi State has won five of their last six against the Rebels and even carry a .500 record on the road in Oxford over their last six games there.
Josh Hubbard legacy game. Book it.
