Ole Miss @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2012 ) Texas 66, Mississippi 31

Mississippi will try to avenge an embarrassing loss from last season when the 25th-ranked Rebels visit reeling Texas on Saturday. Texas whipped Ole Miss 66-31 on the Rebels' home field last year, but the Longhorns enter this contest in disarray. Texas gave up 550 rushing yards in a 40-21 loss at Brigham Young last week, prompting coach Mack Brown to replace defensive coordinator Manny Diaz with Greg Robinson.

The Rebels will pose a stiff test for Robinson as they are averaging 35 points behind quarterback Bo Wallace (471 passing yards, 2 TDs) and running back Jeff Scott (10.4 yards per carry). This is Ole Miss’ first trip to Austin since 1925 and it marks the start of a three-game road swing, with visits to Alabama and Auburn next. With a win over Texas, Ole Miss will improve to 3-0 for the first time since 1989.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Longhorn Network. LINE: Texas -3.5.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI (2-0, 1-0 SEC): Wallace and Scott are adept at running the read-option, but coach Hugh Freeze said there’s uncertainty preparing for a new defensive coordinator. "It certainly is an uncomfortable feeling,” he said. “We already had a shell of a game plan together based on what they had done last year and early this year.”

ABOUT TEXAS (1-1): Junior quarterback David Ash has completed 63 percent of his throws with six touchdowns and two interceptions, but he’s been ruled out due to head and shoulder injuries. In his place, senior Case McCoy will make his seventh career start. The 550 rushing yards allowed to BYU were the most ever allowed by a Texas defense, putting Brown further on the hot seat.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Rebels are nationally ranked for the first time since ending the 2009 season at No. 21.

2. Texas RB/WR Daje Johnson won’t play due to an ankle injury.

3. Keep your eye on Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell, who set a school freshman record with nine catches for 82 yards in the opening win over Vanderbilt.

PREDICTION: Mississippi 31, Texas 30