Ole Miss Hopes Houston Nutt Breaks Rebels Out of SEC Cellar

SEC West No. 6: Ole Miss Rebels

2007 Season and Offseason

Ole Miss labored through Ed Orgeron's final season in Oxford, finishing just 3-9 with zero SEC wins.  Houston Nutt was lured away from Arkansas to replace Orgeron.  The Rebels had another solid recruiting class and welcome Texas transfer QB Jevan Snead.

2007 Record: 3-9 (0-8)

Ret. Starters: 16

Ret. Lettermen: 48

Off PPG: 16.4 (12th), RYPG: 125.0 (9th), PYPG: 214.4 (6th)

Def PPG: 31.5 (11th) RYPG: 212.9 (11th), PYPG: 195.4 (4th)

Offense (Seven Ret. Starters, 19 Ret. Lettermen)

Snead is expected to start after sitting out last year.  He will be backed up by three freshmen, so an injury could make things dicey.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis is gone, but there may not be much drop-off to freshman Enrique Davis.  WR Dexter McCluster is the leading returning rusher with just six attempts.

Ole Miss returns their top five receivers from last year.  Mike Wallace and Shay Hodge had six TDs each.

Michael Oher is one of the team's best NFL prospects and turned down that opportunity to return for his senior season.  This unit returns four starters and gains Arkansas' old O-line coach, who led the SEC in rushing five of the last six years.

Defense (Nine Ret. Starters, 25 Ret. Lettermen)

Ole Miss returns their top 14 tacklers from last year, which is remarkable.  DE Greg Hardy had 10 sacks last year but must keep his head on straight to stay on the field.

DL Jerrell Powe finally fully qualified and will be available this year.  Powe was a top recruit back in 2005.

LBs Ashlee Palmer and Tony Fein were the two leading tacklers last season and are expected to challenge for All-SEC honors.  Palmer also had three INTs.

Ole Miss loses just one starter in the secondary.  Jamarca Sanford was the third-leading tackler a year ago, and CB Dustin Mouzon had two picks.

Special Teams

Both kickers return.  Justin Sparks had 51 punts last year, a number Nutt hopes is much lower this year.  Marshay Green could return both kicks and punts if necessary.

Recruiting

Schedule

Ole Miss plays vMemphis, @Wake, vSamford, and vUL-Monroe in the non-conference slate.  From the East they draw @Florida, vSo Carolina, and vVandy.  The three-game stretch again West foes @Alab, @Ark, and vAuburn will decide the Rebels' fate.

Final Thoughts

I have seen many predictions with Ole Miss finishing fourth and being a surprise team in the SEC.  I think many are looking at the number of returning starters and the past recruiting classes.

I think Ole Miss will be improved too, but they also have to adjust to a new coaching staff, and the returnees won't be enough to get out of the SEC West cellar this year.

Prediction

Likely Loss: @Florida, vAuburn, @LSU

Likely Win: vSamford, vUL-Monroe

5-7 (2-6)

Next Up: SEC East No. 6