Netflix documentary on SEC debuts. Did Ole Miss or Miss State make the cut?
Netflix is set to release an eight-part documentary series about SEC football, capturing the 2024 season. The series will debut in the summer of 2025 and promises an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the conference.
Ole Miss has opted out of participation in the film, but Mississippi State is in.
Other notable exclusions include Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia and Texas.
The docuseries is from the same production company that created Box to Box Films and the team behind “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” and promises “unfiltered access” to coaches and players of the participating teams.
What we know about the series
Aside from the high-profile exclusions, there are still quite a few teams willing to be featured:
Arkansas
Auburn
Florida
Kentucky
Louisiana State
Mississippi State
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas A&M
Vanderbilt
The documentary is modeled after the popular series “Drive to Survive” which follows the drivers, team owners and other key figures of the Formula One World Championship.
The Formula One series dramatically increased the popularity of the sport, and SEC officials hope to garner the same results.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey enthusiastically described the series in the Netflix press release. He said, “This behind-the-scenes docuseries will bring all the drama and pageantry of Southeastern Conference Football to a worldwide Netflix audience.”
What can we expect to see about Mississippi State?
Viewers can expect to see an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at Mississippi State’s challenging 2024 football season
It’s likely, fans will get insight into a few other areas of the Bulldogs’ 2024 season, according to the Maroon and White Nation news:
Behind-the-scenes footage
Insight into the difficulties of the season
Player and coach perspectives
Key matchups
Why did Ole Miss opt out?
There doesn’t seem to be any concrete reasons for the team not to participate. However, there was initial reluctance from a few programs to have an outside camera crew in their facilities perhaps viewing the opportunity as a distraction.
The Ole Miss Rebels news and opinions site, Ole Hotty Toddy, seems surprised by head coach, Lane Kiffin’s decision not to participate. It reported, “Ole Miss is usually one of the first teams to increase national recognition and help get players more NIL money.”
Kiffin is willing to buck trends, such as replacing traditional spring games with “Grove Bowl Games”. This unconventional approach might not align well with the expectations of a documentary series.
Will you be watching? Email me your thoughts at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on Instagram.
