Before the most vitriolic and highly anticipated matchup of the college football season, fans had plenty of praise for the performance of the national anthem.No. 7 LSU made the trek east to Oxford, Mississippi to take on the No. 8 Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday evening.The game is a return for former Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin, who left the school in the middle of the season before the Rebels played in the College Football Playoff.The manner of Kiffin’s departure provided particular venom for the already tense affair in the Magnolia Bowl.But before the tense affair began, the Star-Spangled Banner was performed by Retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Generald Wilson.Wilson delivered a stirring rendition of the anthem as his booming voice got the crowd at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium excited. College football fans praise Retired Navy Petty Officer Generald Wilson for his performance of the national anthem before the grudge match between Ole Miss and LSU on Saturday The game was the first back in Oxford for LSU head coach Lane Kiffin since he left Ole Miss The game has been a long-anticipated grudge match for players and fans of the RebelsSocial media was awash with praise for Wilson’s rendition just prior to the game’s start.’That was an all time great anthem performance wow,’ wrote one user on X.Another said, ‘Holy cow what a national anthem.”That national anthem for this Bloodbath of a game just fired me up so much,’ read one tweet.One LSU fan commented, ‘Without a doubt that was the best National Anthem I’ve ever heard!!! Let’s Geaux!!’A Rebels fan concurred: ‘Freeking electric national anthem at ole miss. LFG Rebels.’The Rebels jumped out to an early first-quarter lead over their rivals to go up 10-0 at the time of publishing.