2012-13 Football Previews – (SEC) – Ole Miss Rebels
In comes former Arkansas State head coach Hugh Freeze to try and fix the mess in Oxford, Mississippi.
Last year was Houston Nutt’s final chance holding the clipboard at Ole Miss, and once it was announced that Nutt wouldn’t be back, the Rebs got crushed in three consecutive games, including embarrassing losses to LSU (52-3) and – even more shamefully – to in-state rival Mississippi State, 31-3 in the Egg Bowl.
SEC 2012-13 Football Previews: Ole Miss Rebels
Coach: Hugh Freeze
2011 Record: 2-10
Ole Miss Gambling Odds from Bovada.lv to win BCS: 500-1; SEC 100-1 / SEC West Odds: 50-1
Ole Miss Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
For the optimist’s optimist, this is a stronger team in 2012 and Freeze has more to work with. But there still is a profoundly steep uphill climb for a team in the SEC West division basement.
The Rebels just lay down and got crushed the last few games, once the news broke that there would be a coaching change. It wasn’t a very encouraging display of fortitude, but Freeze is now tasked to change the outlook in the Ole Miss locker room. It’s not like there’s no talent in Oxford.
Despite the unimpressive results on the field, Nutt did a good job of snagging highly-touted recruits. Sophomore WR Donte Moncrief is a perfect example of that.
He had 454 receiving yards and four TDs a year ago; expect a spike in that production in 2012.
Last year’s leading passer Randall Mackey has moved to WR this season, which should utilize his speed more.
The aerial attack might be in better shape with a triumvirate of JUCO transfer Bo Wallace, junior Barry Brunetti and former starter, senior Zack Stoudt. Junior RB Jeff Scott can be potent, but at a pint-sized 5”7, 175 lbs, he is prone to injury.
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Luckily, he has 235-lb sophomore Nicholas Parker backing him up. Moncrief will lead the WRs, and there is further talent with Mackey, Nickolas Brassell and senior TE Jamal Mosley, an Oklahoma State transfer.
On defense, the beacon of talent comes from junior safety Charles Sawyer. Middle ’backer Mike Marry, last year’s leading tackler, also returns. Ole Miss needs production from highly-regarded but unproven players like DE C.J. Johnson, LB Aaron Garbutt and SS Cody Prewitt.
Impressively, the Rebels finished #20 in the nation in special teams.
That strong play should continue with senior K Bryson Rose, P Tyler Campbell and excellent kick returner Tobias Singleton all back for the 2012 campaign.
2012-13 Ole Miss Football Prediction: 4-8
Fundamentally, this is an improved, more veteran team. There are some opponents on the schedule that are winnable games for Ole Miss.
However, probably the most depressing development for Rebels fans in the past couple seasons has been the clear strides Mississippi State has been making, corresponding with the dovetail of their beloved Ole Miss.
Freeze has an unenviable job in trying to reverse that trend. Freeze did a great job getting the most out of Arkansas State in his previous gig; he’ll need every ounce of that reputation in Oxford.
Ole Miss plays a non-con versus Texas and road games at Alabama, Arkansas (in Little Rock rather than Fayetteville), Georgia and LSU. That’s a brutal serving no matter how you slice it.
Yet, there are other games on the slate that Ole Miss can win (Central Arkansas, UTEP and Tulane as a few examples) and if Freeze can double last year’s win total, that would be a nice start in his first season holding the clipboard for the embattled Ole Miss Rebels.
2012 Schedule
3/14/12 ILLST L 93-96 (OT)
3/10/12 @VANDY (N) L 53-65
3/9/12 @TENN (N) W 77-72 (OT)
3/8/12 AUB (N) W 68-54
3/3/12 ALAB W 60-51
2/28/12 @ARK W 77-75
2/25/12 LSU W 72-48
2/22/12 @TENN L 60-73
2/18/12 @KENTY L 62-77
2/16/12 VANDY L 76-102
