By: Shipley00
Nickname: Rebels
2007 Record:4-8 3-9 (2-6 0-8 in the SEC)
Coach: Houston Nutt (1st year coach at Ole Miss)
Key Additions/Subtractions: (A) Jevan Snead QB (Texas), (A) Enrique Davis RB (A) Coach Houston Nutt, (A) Def Coordinator Tyron Nix, (S) BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Coach Houston Nutt
Overview
To even the most diehard Rebel fan, the writing was on the wall. So, on November 26th, one day after resigning from Arkansas, Houston Nutt took over the helm for Mississippi and the much predicted and anticipated optimism ensued. Season ticket sales are up, the Rebels set a spring scrimmage attendance record (28k), and fans are quickly revisiting the 2008 schedule to see where they can improve their expectations. There is no reason to assume they can’t.
While Ed Orgeron left much to be desired in the way progress for the program (or in his speech pattern), he did leave Houston Nutt with plenty to work with. Add to that some key recruiting steals (See Enrique Davis), 17 returning starters and even the former Razorback coach has reason for optimism. A highly sought after QB transfer, some talent and depth in the backfield, a good offensive line (with a potential All American) and everyone can expect some more explosiveness from the 07 team that struggled to average just 18 points per game.
If all these stars aligning weren’t enough, the schedule gods appeared to have smiled on the Rebel program and Coach Nutt. With only 5 road games and a reasonably easy out of conference schedule (sans the early game vs Wake Forrest), it’s not unreasonable to hope for 6 wins and a bowl game. Regardless, it will take a major breakdown for this 08 team not to outdo the last.
Offense
Last season, expectations were diminished. The dubbed savior of the program, Juco Transfer Brent Schaeffer didn’t live up to expectations and as such, neither did the offense, finishing at or near the bottom in most offensive categories including scoring offense, total offense, offense, passing efficiency, first downs and rushing offense. The latter took exceptional coaching skill to pull off considering that last seasons leading rusher for Ole Miss, BenJavis Green-Ellis finished 4th in the conference in rushing.
While not having any game experience since 06, the Rebels will get a boost in Quarterback play by incoming transfer Jevan Snead. A transfer from the University of Texas, Snead sat out the 2007 season. As a true freshman for the Longhorns, Snead completed 26 of 49 passes for 371 yards with 2 interceptions in as many touchdowns. Despite his "to be expected" freshman struggles, Snead is a highschool Parade All American and look good in spring drills. The rust may show early, but look for this youngster to creep up the list in SEC stats as the season goes on.
Part of last years individual rushing success was do to a massive Offensive line. Stud tackle Michael Oher decided to forgo the NFL draft to return for his Senior season, and should anchor one of the better run blocking lines in the SEC.
Michael Oher
To take advantage of that Offensive line, Houston Nutt inherits prize recruit and now Junior runner Cordero Eason. After falling behind other runners the last few season, he is poised to show why he was highly sought after out of high school. What better way to compliment a runner with Eason’s skills then to have a bruising fullback. Ole Miss has that in 5’11 248 lb Jason Cook. Rarely utilized in running game, he provides a punishing lead blocker with decent pass catching skills.
Despite the existing backfield potential prowess, the most attention will probably revolve around Houston Nutts first prize recruit as Ole Miss’s head coach, Enrique Davis. Davis, who committed to Auburn early as a re-signee, switched to Ole Miss after it was rumored he wouldn’t be eligible at Auburn. It’s a given that Houston Nutt has no problem running several backs (See last season), so it would be no surprise to see Davis garner some playing time as a true Freshman.
It’s hard to place all the blame for lack of passing production on the QB position. Ole Miss returns some experienced and potentially dangerous wideouts. Led by Senior Mike Wallace, and Junior Hodge, the receiver corp wasn’t menacing due to lack of consistency, but showed flashes of greatness. While Wallace didn’t make the top list in the SEC, his 18 plus yards per catch career average is more than enough to give defensive coordinators sleepless nights.
Defense
Despite finishing in the bottom of most Defensive categories, Ole Miss returns 8 starters, including All American DE Greg Hardy. While adjusting to a new defensive coordinator and defensive scheme will be difficult, Ole Miss gets an upgrade with Tyrone Nix. Coach Houston Nutt pulled off a mini-coup luring him from the Old Ball Coach at South Carolina. There is no reason not to expect the Rebels Defense to make a noticeable improvement, especially if they can finally get some help from the Offense.
Greg Hardy
Speaking of returning starters, none is more highly touted than Junior DE Greg Hardy. Following a monster 2007 season where battled with Wallace Gilberry for Sacks and Tackles for loss leader, he enters the 2008 season on several pre-season All American lists as well as pre-season positional honors such as the Ted Hardy DE of the year award. If Hardy can get some consistent help on the other end position, look for Ole Miss to finish near the top in the sack category.
SEC American Senior lineman Peria Jerry is no slouch on the interior. Much like last season at Alabama, Ole Miss is struggling to find a lock at the Nose tackle position. Size wise, at 6’0 300 lbs, Ted Laurent fits the bill, but only time will tell how well he fits the position.
The Linebacker corps are full of talent, but are yet unproven. The only proven commodity is former Safety Ashlee Palmer. Palmer made the switch last season and didn’t disappoint. The other side is expected to be another former defensive back turned Linebacker in Allen Walker, but other than spring practice, he is also unproven.
New coach Houston Nutt and coordinator Nix made the most shake-ups in the secondary. The biggest being moving Ole Miss receiver Marshay Green to defensive back. He has plenty of speed, but at 5’9 and no experience at the corner, look for teams to test him early and often. The rest of the group, including Safeties will be serviceable, but will rely on pressure from the defensive line to help. When the line gets held, look out for big play possibilities from opposing offenses.
Lastly, the biggest turning point for the Rebels defense has been the biggest question mark. The enigma that is Jerrell Powe. The 5 star recruit that has being trying gain eligibility since 2005 and the same one that has been repeatedly denied. His last shot came this summer as the SEC ruled one last time on his acceptance. The turning point was the SEC's decision to start allowing, what amounts to, partial qualifiers. Since Powe completed a year of college successfully, he is instated as a partial qualifier. Now, Powe hasn’t played meaningful football in years, but with his size and potential, the Ole Miss defense could well end up being one of the top defenses in the west, and one of the top DL's in the entire conference.
Specialists
The Rebs are returning their kicker, a servicable one in Joshua Shene. The Junior isn’t tops in the league, and while he won’t win too many games for them, he won’t lose them either having a decent leg, but not good numbers beyond 40 yards and finishing 9 percentage points in field goals behind Alabama’s Lee Tiffin. The same can be said for the punting unit, where last season, their average of 39.7 ypp put them 8th in the SEC, so there is plenty of room for the incumbent to be unseated.
WR Mike Wallace will likely return to his roll of dual kick returning threat putting Ole Miss in the middle of the pack in the SEC.
