Preview : 2011 Ole Miss Offense

The Rebels' offense finished a mediocre 43rd in the nation averaging just under 400 yards a game in 2010. Many people seem to think the Jeremiah Masoli experiment was a big disappointment.

First off, if you thought Masoli was going to lead the Rebels to an eight win season, you were nuts. He did not have the talent around him on offense, much less the defense necessary to muster up wins. With that being said, the Oregon transfer did just about all he could with the cards he was dealt.

The same issue haunts Ole Miss this season as it did just a year ago. Quarterback.  This time, it appears the three man race for the starting job is a bit more complicated. The two JUCO transfers, Zack Stoudt and Randall Mackey have zero experience at the FBS level. Additionally, West Va. transfer Barry Brunetti is a raw true sophomore who saw action in only four games last year.

Mackey may have made the coaches decision a little easier, for now. The junior was arrested early Tuesday morning outside an Oxford bar. So for now, it's likely to assume he has slotted down to third string. This leaves Stoudt and Brunetti in the running for taking the first snap against BYU.

There's speculation both will see playing time in the opener. This wouldn't surprise me as Houston Nutt has never shied away from a two-quarterback system. Brunetti is thought to be the best option runner of the group while Stoudt is the pocket passer.

The depth at running back for Ole Miss is impressive. Brandon Bolden is your typical do-it-all back. He's Ole Miss' biggest threat out of the backfield since Deuce McAllister. At 220 pounds he has the size to grind out yards. However, he has the speed to match it as he showed last year by outrunning the LSU secondary on a long touchdown scamper. 

Behind Bolden is veteran Enrique Davis who is still trying to fulfill his 5-star potential. The scat back of the offense is 5'7, 175 pound speedster Jeff Scott. He finished the 2010 season on a high note and emerged as a kick return threat as well.

At the wide receiver position there's no standout. However, there is some young talent. The main threat should be Melvin Harris, the 6-6, 210 pound junior who led the team in receiving a year ago. Ja-Mes Logan will look to build on his quietly productive redshirt freshman season. He has the size at 6'2, and possesses above-average hands.

After Harris and Logan, there's a jumble of players who will be vying for playing time. First, there's Korvic Neat who saw little playing time a year ago but has the similar traits to a young Dexter McCluster. I am not saying he's the second coming of McCluster, but he possesses some of the same tangibles.

Redshirt freshman Vincent Sanders should push for playing time after a strong spring. He was a star recruit coming out of high school and has the size at 6'1 to go along with adequate speed.

Then there's the trio of true freshman consisting of Nick Brassell, Tobias Singleton, and Donte Moncrief. Coaches have had high praise for Brassell since he stepped foot on campus. He can flat out run, which is something Ole Miss needs at the position.

I would expect either Singleton or Moncrief to play some and the other to redshirt. No sense in Nutt wasting a year of eligibility for one of them to sparingly play. Look also for JUCO transfer Philander Moore to see action. He's not big at 5'9, but similar to Brassell he is a burner who can also help in the return game.

In contrast to recent teams, the tight end position may be a weapon this year for the Rebels. Junior Ferbia Allen has the ability to stretch the field at only 235 pounds. Oklahoma State transfer Jamal Mosely should also see action. He is more of a blocker of the pair. These two guys could be crucial in helping out a new quarterback.

Every college team's offensive line these days are "big". This is an understatement for Ole Miss. When your line goes 6'7, 6'4, 6'3, 6'7, and 6'6 across the board you are talking about NFL standards. And at least two of them, tackles Bradley Sowell and Bobby Massie, will be playing on Sundays. Sowell is entering his third year as the starter at left tackle. Once chided for his play as a sophomore, he has developed into a very solid left tackle. Massie continues to progress up to his standards of a 5-star recruit.

At left guard is Alex Washington, a near 350 pound mammoth who is not the most athletic of lineman but can be a devastating run blocker with his size and strength. Back in the center of the line is A.J. Hawkins, the smallest of the lineman at 6'3, 315.

Occupying the right guard position next to Massie should be sophomore Jared Duke. He will be the most inexperienced of the lineman, but then again right guard is probably the least valuable position on the line.

Overall, Ole Miss possesses one of the best lines in the country. A season ago they allowed the fewest sacks in the SEC. Perhaps that was due in part to the elusiveness of Masoli, who quite frankly was under duress more than a quarterback should be. The hogs up front will be a force in the run game, but it will be crucial for them to keep the new signal-caller upright.