Wikipedia calls Ole Miss our "rivals" in football, and someone over there is trying to give Mississippi State that same title.

ISSUE

In doing research for another post, I looked up "2010 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Team," which led me here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football_team.

Look at the chart depicting the season game-by-game.  Look closely at the Ole Miss and Mississippi State games.  See anything odd?  Anything unexpected?

Huh.

DEFINITIONS

Per wikipedia, the word "rivalry" redirects to "rival," defined here:

A rival is a person, team, company, or other organization competing against another person or team, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivalry.

Ok.

Well, I guess Ole Miss and Mississippi State are persons, teams, companies or other organizations competing against the University of Alabama in football, so they do meet the wikipedia definition of football rivals.  But, then again, so did Georgia State this past season.  Are they our "rivals" now, too?

Merriam-Webster defines a "rivalry" as:

 the act of rivaling : the state of being a rival : competition

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rivalry.

 A "rival" is defined as:

1ri·val

 

noun \ˈrī-vəl\

Definition of RIVAL

1 a : one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess b : one striving for competitive advantage 2 obsolete : companion, associate 3 <!-- End Google Analytics --> See rival defined for English-language learners "

Examples of RIVAL

1. The teams have been longtime rivals.
2. The men are romantic rivals for her affection.

Origin of RIVAL

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin rivalis one using the same stream as another, rival in love, from rivalis of a stream, from rivus stream — more at run First Known Use: 1577

Related to RIVAL

Synonyms: coequal, compeer, coordinate, counterpart, equivalent, fellow, like, match, parallel, peer, equal Antonyms: noncompetitor Related Words: analogue (or analog); double, half, mate, twin; associate, colleague, companion, copartner, partner; competitor Near Antonyms: accomplice, ally, confederate, partner; advocate, champion, exponent, proponent, supporter, sympathizer see all synonyms and antonyms [+]more[-]hide

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: rivalrous
Previous Word in the Dictionary: riv
All Words Near: rival

: equal, peer

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rival?show=0&t=1297003460.

While the definition per se seems harmless enough, look down at the synonyms.  Do any of those words accurately describe Alabama's football relationship with Ole Miss or Mississippi State?  Let's find out!

APPLICATION

I had already noted the "rivalry" between Alabama and Ole Miss that someone out there in wikiland apparently believes exists, and have commented on it in another thread.  Alabama's "rivalry" with Ole Miss goes something like this:

Date	Year	Location	Winner	Score
October 27	1894	Jackson, Mississippi	Ole Miss	6–0
November 24	1899	Jackson, Mississippi	Alabama	7–5
October 26	1900	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	12–5
October 19	1901	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	41–0
October 12	1907	Columbus, Mississippi	Alabama	20–0
October 23	1909	Jackson, Mississippi	Tie	0–0
November 5	1910	Greenville, Mississippi	Ole Miss	16–0
November 9	1912	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	10–9
November 25	1915	Birmingham, Alabama	Alabama	53–0
October 28	1916	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	27–0
October 27	1917	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	64–0
October 11	1919	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	49–0
October 6	1923	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	56–0
November 1	1924	Montgomery, Alabama	Alabama	61–0
October 6	1928	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	27–0
October 5	1929	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	22–7
October 4	1930	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	64–0
October 3	1931	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	55–6
October 22	1932	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	24–13
October 7	1933	Birmingham, Alabama	Tie	0–0
November 11	1944	Mobile, Alabama	Alabama	34–6
January 1	1964	New Orleans, Louisiana	Alabama	12–7
October 2	1965	Birmingham, Alabama	Alabama	17–16
October 1	1966	Jackson, Mississippi	Alabama	17–7
October 7	1967	Birmingham, Alabama	Alabama	21–7
October 5	1968	Jackson, Mississippi	Ole Miss	10–8
October 4	1969	Birmingham, Alabama	Alabama	33–32
October 3	1970	Jackson, Mississippi	Ole Miss	48–23
October 2	1971	Birmingham, Alabama	Alabama	40–6
October 5	1974	Jackson, Mississippi	Alabama	35–21
October 4	1975	Birmingham, Alabama	Alabama	32–6
September 11	1976	Jackson, Mississippi	Ole Miss	10–7
September 10	1977	Birmingham, Alabama	Alabama	34–14
September 20	1980	Jackson, Mississippi	Alabama	59–35
October 3	1981	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	38–7
September 18	1982	Jackson, Mississippi	Alabama	42–14
September 17	1983	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	40–0
October 8	1988	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Ole Miss	22–12
October 7	1989	Jackson, Mississippi	Alabama	62–27
October 24	1992	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	31–10
October 23	1993	Oxford, Mississippi	Alabama †	†19-14
October 22	1994	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	21–10
October 21	1995	Oxford, Mississippi	Alabama	23–9
October 19	1996	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	37–0
October 25	1997	Oxford, Mississippi	Alabama	29–20
October 10	1998	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	20–17OT
October 16	1999	Oxford, Mississippi	Alabama	30–24
October 14	2000	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	45–7
October 13	2001	Oxford, Mississippi	Ole Miss	27–24
October 19	2002	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	42–7
October 18	2003	Oxford, Mississippi	Ole Miss	43–28
September 11	2004	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	28–7
October 15	2005	Oxford, Mississippi	Alabama	‡13–10
October 14	2006	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	‡26–23OT
October 13	2007	Oxford, Mississippi	Alabama	‡27–24
October 18	2008	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	24–20
October 10	2009	Oxford, Mississippi	Alabama	22–3
October 16	2010	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Alabama	23–10
† Alabama was later forced to forfeit as part of NCAA penalties. ‡ Alabama forced to vacate victories as part of NCAA penalties.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_-_Ole_Miss_football_rivalry

If you're counting, Alabama officially leads the series 44–9–2 (48-8-2 on the field), for an official winning percentage of 80.00%.

How about Mississippi State?

Date	Year	Location	Winner	Score
November 14	1896	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	20-0
November 16	1901	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	45-0
November 8	1902	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	27-0
October 16	1903	Columbus, MS	Mississippi State	11-0
October 15	1904	Columbus, MS	Alabama	6-0
October 14	1905	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	34-0
November 3	1906	Starkville, MS	Alabama	16-4
October 21	1911	Columbus, MS	Tie	6-6
October 18	1912	Aberdeen, MS	Mississippi State	7-0
November 27	1913	Birmingham, AL	Mississippi State	7-0
November 26	1914	Birmingham, AL	Mississippi State	9-0
November 27	1919	Birmingham, AL	Alabama	14-6
November 25	1920	Birmingham, AL	Alabama	24-7
November 24	1921	Birmingham, AL	Tie	7-7
November 30	1922	Birmingham, AL	Alabama	59-0
October 31	1925	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	6-0
October 9	1926	Meridian, MS	Alabama	26-7
October 29	1927	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	13-7
October 13	1928	Starkville, MS	Alabama	46-0
October 10	1931	Meridian, MS	Alabama	53-0
October 1	1932	Montgomery, AL	Alabama	53-0
October 14	1933	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	18-0
October 13	1934	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	41-0
October 12	1935	Tuscaloosa, AL	Mississippi State	20-7
October 10	1936	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	7-0
October 28	1939	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	7-0
November 30	1940	Tuscaloosa, AL	Mississippi State	13-0
October 4	1941	Tuscaloosa, AL	Mississippi State	14-0
October 3	1942	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	21-6
November 18	1944	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	19-0
December 1	1945	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	55-13
November 30	1946	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	24-7
October 23	1948	Starkville, MS	Alabama	10-7
October 22	1949	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	35-6
October 28	1950	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	14-7
October 27	1951	Starkville, MS	Alabama	7-0
October 25	1952	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	42-19
October 24	1953	Tuscaloosa, AL	Tie	7-7
October 23	1954	Tuscaloosa, AL	Mississippi State	12-7
October 22	1955	Tuscaloosa, AL	Mississippi State	26-7
October 27	1956	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	13-12
October 26	1957	Tuscaloosa, AL	Mississippi State	25-13
October 25	1958	Starkville, MS	Alabama	9-7
October 31	1959	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	10-0
October 29	1960	Starkville, MS	Alabama	7-0
November 4	1961	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	24-0
November 3	1962	Starkville, MS	Alabama	20-0
November 2	1963	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	20-19
October 31	1964	Jackson, MS	Alabama	23-6
October 30	1965	Jackson, MS	Alabama	10-7
October 29	1966	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	27-14
November 4	1967	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	13-0
November 2	1968	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	20-13
November 1	1969	Jackson, MS	Alabama	23-19
October 31	1970	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	35-6
October 30	1971	Jackson, MS	Alabama	41-10
November 4	1972	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	58-14
November 3	1973	Jackson, MS	Alabama	35-0
November 2	1974	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	35-0
November 1	1975	Jackson, MS	Alabama	21-10
October 30	1976	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	34-17
October 29	1977	Jackson, MS	Alabama	37-7
November 4	1978	Birmingham, AL	Alabama	35-14
November 3	1979	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	24-7
November 1	1980	Jackson, MS	Mississippi State	6-3
October 31	1981	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	13-10
October 30	1982	Jackson, MS	Alabama	20-12
October 29	1983	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	35-18
November 3	1984	Jackson, MS	Alabama	24-20
November 2	1985	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	44-28
November 1	1986	Starkville, MS	Alabama	38-3
October 31	1987	Birmingham, AL	Alabama	21-18
October 29	1988	Starkville, MS	Alabama	53-34
November 4	1989	Birmingham, AL	Alabama	23-10
November 3	1990	Starkville, MS	Alabama	22-0
November 2	1991	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	13-7
November 14	1992	Starkville, MS	Alabama	30-21
November 13	1993	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama†	36-25
November 12	1994	Starkville, MS	Alabama	29-25
November 11	1995	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	14-9
November 16	1996	Starkville, MS	Mississippi State	17-16
November 15	1997	Tuscaloosa, AL	Mississippi State	32-20
November 14	1998	Starkville, MS	Mississippi State	26-14
November 13	1999	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	19-7
November 11	2000	Starkville, MS	Mississippi State	29-7
November 10	2001	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	24-17
November 9	2002	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	28-14
November 8	2003	Starkville, MS	Alabama	38-0
November 6	2004	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	30-14
November 5	2005	Starkville, MS	Alabama‡	17-0
November 4	2006	Tuscaloosa, AL	Mississippi State	24-16
November 10	2007	Starkville, MS	Mississippi State	17-12
November 15	2008	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	32-7
November 14	2009	Starkville, MS	Alabama	31-3
November 13	2010	Tuscaloosa, AL	Alabama	30-10
† Alabama was later forced to forfeit as part of NCAA penalties. ‡ Alabama forced to vacate victories as part of NCAA penalties.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_%E2%80%93_Mississippi_State_football_game.

(NOTE:  I have no idea why all of the Alabama victories are showing up as white text on a white background - that is not how they were inputted.  Highlight the whole thing in order to show them.)

Once again, if you're keeping track,

Alabama-Mississippi State is one of the Southeastern Conference's longest-running series, dating back to 1896. It also has been one of the league's most lopsided with Alabama officially leading the series 73-18-3 (75-17-3 on the field).

Ibid.

for an official winning percentage of 77.66%.

Of significant note is the fact that when you try to follow the "Alabama - Mississippi State Rivalry" link, it actually redirects you to "Alabama - Mississippi State Football Game."  It's true, try it, it's right up there, at the beginning in the game-by-game recap of the 2010 season.  However, someone (I can only guess what shade of red they're wearing) is apparently trying to change that:

<!-- /jumpto --><!-- bodytext -->

It has been proposed that Alabama – Mississippi State football game be renamed and moved to Alabama – Mississippi State football rivalry. Please discuss it at Talk:Alabama – Mississippi State football game#I moved the article.

Ibid.

CONCLUSION

These are not "rivalries."  Ole Miss and Mississippi State are not Alabama's football "rivals."  They are not "coequal, compeer, coordinate, counterpart, equivalent, fellow, like, match, parallel, peer, equal."  It would take either a healthy imagination, megalomania, or a flair for the (melo)dramatic to argue otherwise.  These are "conference games."  No disrespect is here intended for the fans or athletes of any of these schools, but they are no more Alabama's football rivals than is Vanderbilt (60-18-4) (http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/alab/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/record-book.pdf, page 64) - they simply happen to be located in the western part of the SEC (and yes, I do realize that Vanderbilt is geographically west of Auburn), so we play them more frequently now.  In fact, Alabama's winning percentage against Vanderbilt is only a little over 73%, making Vanderbilt historically more competitive than either of these "rivals," Alabama's longest-ever winning streak came against Mississippi State, at 22 consecutive victories (Oct. 25, 1958 thru Nov. 3, 1979) (Ibid., page 65), and Ole Miss has never beaten Alabama back-to-back.

I recommend that people join the discussion sections of both http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_-_Ole_Miss_football_rivalry and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_%E2%80%93_Mississippi_State_football_game.  First off, by no means should the "Alabama - Mississippi State Football Game" be redefined as a "rivalry" on wikipedia.  Secondly, the "Alabama - Ole Miss Football Game" should be redesignated as such.