A rivalry between Ole Miss and Mississippi State exists in recruiting like it exists in any sport.

So, we in the media are attuned to the subtle comments regarding the rivalry from each side of the fence. They weren't so subtle in November when Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt expressed concerns about negative recruiting against his team. He named no coach or school but in addressing a brief appearance by the Klan on the Ole Miss campus prior to the LSU game, Nutt talked of opposing recruiting tactics when he said, "That's fine. It's not going to help them. This is one program in the state that's getting very strong."

Of course, it turned out that there was another program in the state that looked very strong, at least on the day of the Egg Bowl, when MSU won handily 41-27. Afterward Dan Mullen referred to Nutt's comments when he pumped up the MSU crowd with the microphone at mid-field.

I thought Nutt returned the volley yesterday with his comments regarding the role of Ole Miss players in landing what looks like a very strong class for the second straight season.

"A picture's worth a thousand words, and they (recruits and families) were able to see us in that brand new (Cowboys) stadium and holding up that (Cotton Bowl) trophy. Then they get on campus and hear the players talking about getting an X-Box and all that mileage money. All that goes a long way. Sometimes that's more recruiting than anything else. Players tell the recruits, 'This is what you get when you go to a bowl game.'"

Yesterday both coaches talked about their success in recruiting Mississippi.

Ole Miss signed three of the Clarion-Ledger's 10 Most Wanted, MSU signed four. Ole Miss signed the No. 2 recruit, DE Carlos Thompson, the highest-rated prospect to remain in state, since Olive Branch OL Shon Coleman signed with Auburn.

Ole Miss did turn a long-time MSU lean in Ray Brooks tight end Cordell Giles. Nutt's take was also that he went to Florida to get skill people, signing seven from the Sunshine State, three cornerbacks.

Elsewhere ...

- Rankings. Ole Miss finished No. 14 according to Scout, No. 17 by Rivals.

- What's in a name? The recruiting class that Derek Dooley spent most of the year working on, for Louisiana Tech, finished No. 93 according to Rivals. The recriting class Dooley mostly inherited, at Tennessee, finished No. 9.

- While the Rebels celebrate a very good class, it's worth noting what they're up against. In the SEC West alone, Rivals rated Auburn 4, Alabama 5 and LSU 6.

- Don't know right now who in the class won't make it, but DL Delvin Jones and RB Nick Parker, both of whom could see early playing time, have not yet taken the ACT. Not a good sign.

I'm about to get on the road from Nashville after covering MSU-Vanderbilt last night. Vanderbilt is quite at athletic and has a nice combination of an inside and outside game. State made a frantic run at the end, and the Commodores almost gave up a 14-point lead with less than 4 minutes to play. Vandy visits Ole Miss on Feb. 18, and it's a game the Rebels really need on their resume.

Leave your thoughts and comments on recruiting below. I'll be checking back in the afternoon.