Big family feasts, trash talking hard to miss as fans get ready for Egg Bowl in Oxford

OXFORD, Miss. — Another Thanksgiving pigskin tradition was taking shape in Mississippi this week.

Ole Miss hosts Thursday night’s Egg Bowl against rival Mississippi State.

On Wednesday in Oxford, which is the site of the annual game, fans have started their big Thanksgiving feasts with battle lines clearly drawn.

For David Hymel, attending the Egg Bowl is a Thanksgiving tradition for him and his family.

He had his the RV parked Wednesday, with more than 20 family members expected to join him.

”You know, our son has been here for four years and we enjoy coming up and doing the family thing here on campus and rooting for our team, Ole Miss, and hanging out and tailgating with our friends,” Hymel said.

Hymel, of New Orleans, had his dog Topper dressed out in an Ole Miss jersey. He said he was planning to fry two turkeys on Thanksgiving for his crew and for anyone else who needs them.

”This is a true Louisiana menu,” Hymel said. “We are doing fried turkeys and smoked turkey and fresh merlitons and dressing and stuffing and everyone’s favorite green bean casserole.”

Down a few parking spots from Hymel was Bulldogs fan Chris Wells, whose son is a student athletic trainer at Mississippi State.

Wells said that he was going to enjoy this Thanksgiving but with one exception.

“I’d rather be in Starkville, but we have to be here in Oxford this year,” Chris Wells said.

Wells said that some 50 family and friends are expected to come eat Thursday. He had ham in the fridge, while other friends were bringing turkey and the rest of the fixins.

”We will have lunch out here and a spread before the game and several of our Ole Miss friends have invited us to eat with them before the game,” Wells said.

And with all that eating and smack talking, the real question may be this: “Who’s going to wind up eating crow?”

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