FBI investigating threatening letter sent to Ole Miss

Fans tend to take rivalries a bit too far from time to time. This is one of those times.

The FBI is investigating an anonymous threat made toward the Ole Miss campus this week, a few days before Saturday’s Egg Bowl between Ole Miss and heated in-state rival Mississippi State.

Ole Miss reportedly received a handwritten letter on Tuesday with threats to damage the Grove, the famous tailgating area in the center of campus.

The letter reads:

"What's going to happen to y'all on the field Saturday Aint nothing compared to what's going to happen on your beautiful campus. You won't be one of the most pretty campus's Next year. A lot of shrubs and trees are going to die; especially in the grove. Can't stop us." (SIGNED) "Hail State go to hell TSUN"

The school and FBI are taking the letter seriously and are investigating its origins while encouraging fans to report any suspicious behavior they may spot on Saturday.

"This longtime football rivalry has separated families and friends for generations, but while it's spirited, our attention has been focused mostly on the football field," Ole Miss police chief Calvin Sellers said. "We encourage everyone to remember that this is a game, after all, not a time for hate. We are hopeful that passions have not escalated to the point that someone is prepared to do damage to a landmark for which all Mississippians take great pride."

Ole Miss, ranked No. 18 in the latest College Football Playoff, hosts No. 4 Mississippi State in Oxford. Beyond a year of bragging rights in the rivalry, the stakes are huge for the Bulldogs’ chances of staying in the Top 4 of the College Football Playoff rankings.

For more Ole Miss news, visit RebelGrove.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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