Jacksonville State
N/A0-0
Mississippi
12th SEC4-8
Jacksonville State @ Mississippi preview
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Ole Miss, which opens Saturday against Jacksonville State, will need to overcome quarterback difficulties for the second straight year if the Rebels are to continue showing progress under coach Houston Nutt.
The Rebels went 9-4 last year as quarterback Jevan Snead's talent did a disappearing act, just when it looked like he had the potential to be among the nation's best. He threw as many interceptions – 20 – as touchdowns before bolting for the pros. This year, the Rebels were hoping Oregon transfer Jeremiah Masoli would seize the job, but the NCAA ruled him ineligible. Ole Miss appealed and was hoping for resolution before kickoff.
Masoli's absence won't be a big issue in the early and easier part of the schedule because highly regarded but inexperienced sophomore Nathan Stanley probably was going to play a lot while Masoli transitioned into the job. Whereas Masoli accounted for 51 touchdowns the past two years at Oregon, Stanley has attempted only 23 college passes. Observers said competition from Masoli in preseason pushed Stanley to higher levels of performance, so having the new guy in camp might have helped the Rebels even if Masoli never takes a snap.
The Ole Miss defense boasts a rock-solid front and linebacking corps, including senior defensive end Kentrell Lockett (five sacks, 10 tackles for loss last year). But the green secondary must mature before serious SEC play starts in mid-October.
Brandon Bolden (5-11, 220) leads a group ball-carriers vying to fill the role vacated by versatile star back Dexter McCluster. Bolden gained 614 yards last season, averaged 4.8 a carry and caught 20 passes for 209 yards. The top wideout is Shay Hodge, who has 2,646 receiving yards in his career. Ole Miss might need a committee of running backs and wide receivers to replace McCluster, the only player in SEC history with 1,000 yards rushing and 500 receiving in the same season.
Jacksonville State is more formidable than the typical Football Championship Subdivision team. The Gamecocks were 8-3 last year and led Florida State in the fourth quarter before losing 19-9. They held opponents to 17.1 points a game and will make Ole Miss work for yardage, especially through the air. Cornerback T.J. Heath had six interceptions and 10 pass break-ups last year and should hold his own against the Ole Miss receivers. The Gamecocks' offense averaged 431 yards a game and returns two backs who each gained more than 500 yards.
The Rebels went 9-4 last year as quarterback Jevan Snead's talent did a disappearing act, just when it looked like he had the potential to be among the nation's best. He threw as many interceptions – 20 – as touchdowns before bolting for the pros. This year, the Rebels were hoping Oregon transfer Jeremiah Masoli would seize the job, but the NCAA ruled him ineligible. Ole Miss appealed and was hoping for resolution before kickoff.
Masoli's absence won't be a big issue in the early and easier part of the schedule because highly regarded but inexperienced sophomore Nathan Stanley probably was going to play a lot while Masoli transitioned into the job. Whereas Masoli accounted for 51 touchdowns the past two years at Oregon, Stanley has attempted only 23 college passes. Observers said competition from Masoli in preseason pushed Stanley to higher levels of performance, so having the new guy in camp might have helped the Rebels even if Masoli never takes a snap.
The Ole Miss defense boasts a rock-solid front and linebacking corps, including senior defensive end Kentrell Lockett (five sacks, 10 tackles for loss last year). But the green secondary must mature before serious SEC play starts in mid-October.
Brandon Bolden (5-11, 220) leads a group ball-carriers vying to fill the role vacated by versatile star back Dexter McCluster. Bolden gained 614 yards last season, averaged 4.8 a carry and caught 20 passes for 209 yards. The top wideout is Shay Hodge, who has 2,646 receiving yards in his career. Ole Miss might need a committee of running backs and wide receivers to replace McCluster, the only player in SEC history with 1,000 yards rushing and 500 receiving in the same season.
Jacksonville State is more formidable than the typical Football Championship Subdivision team. The Gamecocks were 8-3 last year and led Florida State in the fourth quarter before losing 19-9. They held opponents to 17.1 points a game and will make Ole Miss work for yardage, especially through the air. Cornerback T.J. Heath had six interceptions and 10 pass break-ups last year and should hold his own against the Ole Miss receivers. The Gamecocks' offense averaged 431 yards a game and returns two backs who each gained more than 500 yards.