2011-2012 Football Previews – SEC – Ole Miss Rebels
There is tangible pressure on Houston Nutt in just his fourth season at the helm in Oxford.
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SEC 2011-12 Football Previews: Ole Miss Rebels
Coach: Houston Nutt
2010 Record: 4-8
Mississippi Gambling Odds from Bet Online Sportsbook to win BCS: +5000
Ole Miss Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
Most of the uneasiness is created by in-state rival Mississippi State asserting themselves in the West division, dominating Ole Miss last season and owning the bragging rights in a football hotbed.
Ole Miss signs talented recruits in the off-season, but so does every other program in the SEC West. For any hope of optimism at Ole Miss – and perhaps Nutt retaining his job – the team must get more consistent, especially on defense. Fortunately, the Rebels return many starters and have a veteran presence that should be tired of sucking the hind teat in their division. Suffice to say, it seems a long time indeed since career passing leader Eli Manning’s graduation in 2003.
Team Strengths
The Rebs return every starter from last year on the offensive line and add in highly-touted (and massive, at 6”9 340 lbs!) Arkansas transfer Matt Hall. This is excellent news for RB Brandon Bolden, an All-SEC Honorable Mention last season. Last year, Bolden nearly became just the seventh back in school history to gain 1,000 yards, and he also tied a school record with 14 rush TDs.
Further depth in the running game is provided by lightning-fast Jeff Scott and lauded Auburn transfer Enrique Davis.
Pass-catching at Ole Miss was improved markedly by the addition of junior TE Jamal Mosley, a 6”4, 250-lb athlete that initially signed with Oklahoma State. He’ll join junior WR Melvin Harris and regarded frosh Nickolas Brassell to compose a decent unit.
The secondary is the most veteran unit on “D”, though the LB corps had the best addition with great freshman C.J. Johnson.
Team Weaknesses
The defense was pretty miserable in Oxford in 2010. There isn’t much to be overwhelmed about on the front or back seven. Second-leading tackler Damien Jackson returns and Johnson should start right away – he joins several talented JUCO players new to the fold. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Ole Miss must generate more pass rush and the Rebs break in two underclassmen starters on the interior of the D-line.
Former JUCO stud QB Randall Mackey should take the reins, but is entirely new to the starting job after Ole Miss had former troubled Oregon man Jeremiah Masoli in ’10. Mackey is accurate and mobile, but he is still unproven.
2011-12 Mississippi Football Prediction: 5-7
The Rebels have snagged some talented freshman and junior college transfers in recent years, but Ole Miss won’t win many more games until the defense becomes more coherent.
The Rebs have the potential for an effective offense, so with even mild improvement on “D”, they should be a far better team than 2010’s version.
If youngsters can step in and contribute, Ole Miss will make strides, but don’t expect miracles in Oxford and do expect Nutt’s seat to continue to rise in temperature.
2011 Mississippi Rebels Schedule
9/3/11 4:45 PM ET BYU
9/10/11 12:00 PM ET SOILL
9/17/11 12:00 PM ET @VAN
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET GEO
10/1/11 9:15 PM ET @FRSST
10/15/11 12:00 PM ET ALAB
10/22/11 12:00 PM ET ARK
10/29/11 12:00 PM ET @AUB
11/5/11 12:00 PM ET @KENTY
11/12/11 12:00 PM ET LTECH
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET LSU
11/26/11 12:00 PM ET @MISST
