Ole Miss @ Vanderbilt preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 10, 2012 ) Vanderbilt 27, Mississippi 26

Vanderbilt looks to build on the most successful two-year stretch in school history when it hosts Ole Miss on Thursday in the season opener for both teams. Senior Austyn Carta-Samuels takes over at quarterback for the Commodores, who were picked to finish fourth in the SEC East preseason media poll after a tumultuous offseason. Expectations are also high at Ole Miss, which aims to end a nine-game losing streak in SEC openers.

The Rebels signed one of the top recruiting classes in the country last spring, and several freshmen figure to play in the opener, including highly touted defensive end Robert Nkemdiche. The game features two of the top wide receivers in the conference in Vanderbilt senior Jordan Matthews and Ole Miss junior Donte Moncrief, who caught 10 touchdown passes last season. Matthews had a season-high 153 receiving yards against the Rebels last year, when Vanderbilt won its third straight game in the series.

TV: 9:15 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Ole Miss -3

ABOUT OLE MISS (2012: 7-6, 3-5 SEC): Junior quarterback Bo Wallace, who led the nation with 17 interceptions last season, figures to improve behind an experienced offensive line and a solid receiving corps that includes freshman standout Laquon Treadwell. The Rebels return leading rusher Jeff Scott, but Wallace is the key to second-year coach Hugh Freeze’s fast-break offense. Ole Miss was 11th in SEC pass defense last season, but there’s reason to be encouraged with several key starters returning.

ABOUT VANDERBILT (2012: 9-4, 5-3 SEC): The Commodores are eager to get back on the field after dealing with an offseason rape investigation that resulted in the dismissal of four players and the suspension of star wideout Chris Boyd. Running backs Wesley Tate, Brian Kimbrow and Jerron Seymour will each get a chance to replace all-time leading rusher Zac Stacy, who was drafted by the St. Louis Rams. The defense is led by cornerback Andre Hal and safety Kenny Ladler, who led the team with 90 tackles last season.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Ole Miss has never lost a football game in August, boasting a record of 6-0 dating back to 1991.

2. Vanderbilt scored at least 30 points in five of its last six games last season.

3. The Rebels have won 14 of their last 17 season openers.

PREDICTION: Ole Miss 28, Vanderbilt 24