Ole Miss to break out 'powder blues' for game at Alabama

Bob Hille •
Ole Miss to break out 'powder blues' for game at Alabama image

First, the good news: The last time Ole Miss won at Alabama, it did so wearing the beloved powder blue helmets it will wear Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

The bad news (via al.com): That was in 1988.

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Still, the "powder blues" have a powerful hold on Ole Miss fans, probably because although the football team wore them from 1948-77 and 1983-94, it did so most notably during the coach Johnny Vaught and quarterback Archie Manning eras in Oxford. 

So, for only the second time in two decades, No. 15 Ole Miss will take the field in them Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The Rebels also wore them to honor Chucky Mullins last year in a chippy victory over Memphis.

The stakes are higher this year as coach Hugh Freeze's team tries to defeat Alabama in consecutive seasons in the SEC opener for both teams.