Ask an Ole Miss fan about those "hopes." You probably won't hear expectations for an immediate trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship. Nor will you hear aspirations for a Sugar Bowl berth any time soon.
What you are likely to hear is the hope for a well-coached, well-behaved football team.
A team that understands the importance of fundamentals. A team that does the little things well. A team whose coach, through preparation and decision-making, will put it in a position to win. A team that has a chance to win every time it takes the field.
Credit where credit's due—Ed Orgeron left the cupboard far from bare for Houston Nutt. Jevan Snead, a big-armed transfer from Texas, steps into the quarterback position. He also has plenty of playmakers to stretch the field.
Returning at left tackle is phenom Michael Oher, the subject of Michael Lewis' book, The Blind Side. Oher, who initially opted for the 2008 NFL Draft, returns for another year of college seasoning.
Having recently attended a local alumni gathering addressed by Coach Nutt, I look forward to this year's football season. Though tempered by realism, I'm inspired by Coach Nutt's resume to believe that the Ole Miss Rebels will be prepared to play each time they run through the tunnel.
Win or lose, they will leave it all on the field. They will play intelligently and soundly. They will execute. They will understand the fundamental elements of the game. And their leader's decision making will serve as a strength, rather than a handicap.
That fosters excitement and hope, two feelings not commonly (or at least soberly) experienced in recent times.
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