Central Arkansas @ Mississippi preview

Following consecutive dismal seasons, Mississippi is in rebuilding mode after firing Houston Nutt. The Rebels turned to a familiar face to complete the task in new coach Hugh Freeze, who served as an assistant from 2005-07 and ended his first foray in Oxford as the interim head coach. Freeze went on to turn around the programs at NAIA Lambuth University and Arkansas State over the past four seasons before returning to Ole Miss. Central Arkansas is coming off its first FCS playoff appearance in 2011 and returns 15 starters from a team that finished 9-4. The Bears lost in the second round of the FCS playoffs.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3.com, ESPN GamePlan LINE: None

ABOUT CENTRAL ARKANSAS (2011: 9-4, 6-1 Southland): Coach Clint Conque begins his 13th season at the school as the most successful coach in Bears' history. WR Jesse Grandy, who left Ole Miss with the second-highest kick return yardage mark in school history, was Central Arkansas’ leading receiver and a second-team All-Southland Conference pick last season. All four of the Bears’ losses last season came against conference champions, but another nine-win season may be difficult to repeat following the departure of all-conference QB Nathan Dick, who threw for 32 touchdowns in 2011. Junior QB Wynrick Smothers is next in line and has just one career start, back in 2010.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI (2011: 2-10, 0-8 SEC): Last year’s starting quarterback, Randall Mackey, was asked to move to running back after last season and has reportedly adjusted very well. In Mackey’s place, Freeze picked junior college transfer Bo Wallace over Barry Brunetti, a part-time starter from last season, for the starting job. The Rebels possess offensive firepower as RB Jeff Scott and WR Donte Moncrief each was named to preseason All-SEC teams. On defense, MLB Mike Marry and S Charles Sawyer have also received all-conference mentions as well, though Sawyer is battling a quad injury.

EXTRA POINTS

1. This will be the first meeting between the schools, although Freeze’s Arkansas State team defeated Central Arkansas last season, 53-24.

2. This game is the Bears’ first against an FBS school since a 48-42 loss at Louisiana Tech last season.

3. Despite a 1-3 beginning to the 2011 season, Ole Miss is 146-80-7 all-time during the month of September.

PREDICTION: Mississippi 30, Central Arkansas 24.