Vanderbilt @ Mississippi preview
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Last Meeting ( Oct 3, 2009 ) Mississippi 23, Vanderbilt 7
Games like this are must wins for a Mississippi team that's hoping to make noise in the SEC. For visiting Vanderbilt, at least it's a winnable game.
Vanderbilt coach Robbie Caldwell saw some encouraging signs last week, despite a 27-3 loss to LSU. The Commodores (0-2) were able to hold the Tigers to 10 points through three quarters. And one glaring problem is fixable.
Usually among the least-penalized teams in the SEC, Vandy should be able to cut back on the numerous and ill-timed flags that plagued them in their two losses. The Commodores lead the league with 16 penalties and 143 yards.
Somewhat harder to repair will be the offensive line, which gave up six sacks to LSU and left Larry Smith running for his life and throwing for 70 of Vandy's 135 total yards.
Smith might have more time this week against a defense that ranks, like Vandy's, near the bottom of the SEC in total yardage. Ole Miss is giving up a completion rate of 66 percent and hasn't intercepted a pass
Ole Miss (1-1) has its own woes on the offensive line. Injuries and disciplinary action have left the Rebels short-handed up front, which is why the ever-elusive Jeremiah Masoli will get his second start at quarterback against Vanderbilt.
A shoulder injury to Nathan Stanley moved Masoli on a slightly faster track into the starting job.
Masoli was declared eligible one day before the season-opening loss to Jacksonville State, and was 14 of 20 for 281 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 27-13 win over Tulane. For the year, he's 21 of 30 for 390 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
It's a concern that the Green Wave held Ole Miss to 92 yards on the ground. The Rebels, by necessity, will have a new starting right guard for the third straight game. This week the job falls to redshirt freshman Michael Brown.
The Rebels' defense looks loaded up front, but it hasn't lived up to expectations or recent Ole Miss standards, ranking next-to-last in the SEC in total defense (333.5 ypg). It's been at its worst in the second half, particularly against the pass, where an inexperienced secondary has felt the torch.
Twice Ole Miss held big leads at halftime and both times opponents came back through the air, completing a combined 30 of 40 pass attempts in the second half. The Rebels have been outscored 38-6 in the second half against opponents of less than SEC stature.
Ole Miss leads the series that dates to 1894 by 47-35-2, including 22-4 at Oxford. The Rebels are seeking to break a six-game losing streak in SEC openers.