A nightmare scenario for the Southeastern Conference has existed since Oct. 17, when Memphis handed Mississippi its second loss of the college football season.
Two losses by the season's midway point knocked the Rebels down the national pecking order, behind the many undefeated and one-loss teams on and off the Power Five level. But it didn't alter the pecking order in the SEC: With a win against Alabama in hand, Ole Miss controlled its own destiny.
Conceivably, Ole Miss can still win the SEC West Division and the conference title with two losses — which may be a catastrophe for one of the nation's elite leagues.