[Tuck4Bama]

NASHVILLE — If you're Ole Miss, you had to have this one. No ifs, no ands, no buts.

Had to. That's all. Had to.

Had to beat Vanderbilt, which was once SEC football's version of golf's gimmee.

Once upon a time. No more.

Not for Ole Miss.

In a game both teams knew was critical for success this season, Vanderbilt spanked Ole Miss 31-17 here Saturday night.

Ole Miss, which eked out a victory over Memphis in its opener, has dropped back-to-back two-touchdown games to Missouri and Vandy and now faces the daunting, back-to-back prospect of Florida and Georgia these next two Saturdays.

Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU and, yes, Mississippi State at Starkville loom on down the road. Louisiana Tech is hardly a gimmee.

This could get ugly.

Check that. It already has.

It was a must game, and a bust, for Rebs