My good friend Graham Doty is an outstanding young announcer with tremendous knowledge of college football. He is also quite funny and one of my favorites in the league. Graham and his wife Brittany are the proud parents of their baby girl Minniejane.

Just how good is this Ole Miss team?

I think this Ole Miss team is good. Before the season, I think most Ole Miss fans were expecting 8-4 to maybe 9-3. The win over LSU and how Ole Miss has looked, might have changed the expectations the rest of this season. The running game is much better than what it was a season ago and the defense is continuing to improve each week. This is one of the most talented wide receiver rooms that Ole Miss has ever had. Trinidad Chambliss has been one of the biggest surprises and best stories in college football to start this season.

Can you talk about the win over LSU, and what that has meant to this team?

It meant a lot to the Ole Miss team and fans, but I don’t think anyone was surprised. Lane Kiffin is now 3-0 versus LSU in Oxford and after the game, the fans didn’t storm the field. The last two games in Baton Rouge, LSU fans stormed the field after LSU beat Ole Miss. To me, it shows how the expectations for the Ole Miss fans have changed over the years since Kiffin has been at Ole Miss.

Lane Kiffin’s impact has been enormous, can you talk about his relationship with the Ole Miss fan base?

It’s been incredible what Kiffin has done at Ole Miss. Ole Miss is 26-5 in its last 31 games. I think Kiffin has grown a lot over the years and I think he and his family are happy in Oxford and Ole Miss. His brother and his family are in Oxford and two of Kiffin’s children are in Oxford as well. The freshmen class at Ole Miss has gotten bigger and bigger the last four years and the city of Oxford is growing rapidly and I think Kiffin and the football program plays a part in that.

What is your take on Georgia?

Georgia is always a really really good team. I was curious how Gunner Stockton would look this season and he really impressed me with the win at Tennessee. Georgia’s defense is always good, but I have been a little surprised at their lack of getting to the quarterback on defense. I expect Georgia to be heavily in the mix to win the SEC and to make the playoffs.

What would a win in Athens mean for the Rebels?

It would be huge. Sanford Stadium is an incredibly difficult place to play and outside of the Alabama game, Georgia doesn’t lose games at home. Ole Miss hasn’t won in Athens since 1996. Ole Miss plays at Georgia and at Oklahoma back-to-back. I think if you are Ole Miss, if you are able to split those two games, you have to feel really good about making the playoffs.

Do you like the 9-game schedule and set-up? What about for baseball and hoops?

I think it will be fun for the fans. You will play more teams in your conference and go to stadiums you haven’t been to a lot over the years. I think fans will have to change their minds about team records moving forward. A team could go 9-3 and have a chance to make the playoffs. I don’t think the head coaches in the conference will like the move to a 9 game schedule at all because it means more losses.

Can you tell us some of your favorite places to eat and hang out and travel to in the SEC?

There are so many excellent choices. Restaurant Tyler in Starkville is incredible and one of my favorites. I love breakfast food and City Cafe in Northport, Alabama and Pancake Pantry in Nashville are must stops for me when I’m over there. Hugo’s in Fayetteville and Carson’s in Lexington are some of my favorites too. Terry Black’s BBQ in Austin is wonderful too.