I'm an Ole Miss season ticket holder living in Atlanta. We look forward to hosting you guys this weekend. Several points that I'll assign numbers to since as Tech folks you guys are all about math.
1) Hotels in Oxford are impossible. It is a small town with very few hotels. I stay outside of Tupelo, and the drive is only about 45 minutes.
2) Football parking was converted to permit only on campus several years ago to raise money. You can park just off campus for about $40. You can also buy a campus parking pass online from the aftermarket, similar to buying tickets. That said, there are shuttles that take people from several points in Oxford to and from the game and they are always clean and efficient. It's almost impossible to tell where the campus begins and the City of Oxford ends. All is very walkable.
3) The Grove is an iconic part of the gameday experience, but that's a relatively recent situation. Until the 1980s, it was used as a parking lot. But a rainy game caused enormous damage to the trees so after that game cars were banned and it become the big pre-game meeting place for fans. Really just like a huge family reunion or picnic.
4) I have attended football games all around the country and you will not find more welcoming or more friendly people than at Ole Miss. Ole Miss people have all kept their genteel southern manners, which includes welcoming visitors. Unless you are low-lifes from LSU or State, you will be treated like the prodigal son.
5) There were a few snide comments in this string about Oxofrd being an isolated small town. That is true. And that is also part of its charm. Every single Ole Miss alum wants to retire there, which means that the wonderful old houses you see as you drive in cost more than a Buckhead mansion.
6) Despite being a small town, there are excellent, very highly rated restaurants all over town. Again, very competitive to those in Buckhead (I own a business in Buckhead, thus the reference)
7) Even on a cloudy day, I encourage every guy to bring sunglasses. Especially if you're married. The level of female talent at Ole Miss is utterly astonishing. And unlike Tech, women are plentiful and they all speak English. (I have lots of Tech friends, so just a friendly jab)
8) Visitor seating is in 2 sections on the East side of the stadium. For those who were curious, the Ole Miss band is located in the middle of the north end zone in the student section. The visiting band usually sits in one of the visitors sections in the east stands
9) The theme color for fans to wear this weekend is red, so don't panic and think you've transported to Athens. Other theme colors are white, powder blue and navy blue, and those vary week by week.
10) On the field, the team has been beaten up by injuries to key players, especially on offense. I personally think the 20-point spread is too rich. And after Tech, the team plays consecutively at Alabama, LSU, Arkansas and at Auburn. That might be the toughest 4-game stretch in college football this year.
I hope Tech brings a big crowd and you guys enjoy everything but that 3-hour time chunk starting at 7:30 Saturday night.