Ole Miss is coming off a disappointing 2010 in which they finished 4-8. The previous two years under Houston Nutt, the Rebels went 9-4 and won the Cotton Bowl both years. Nutt has a reputation for up and down results. He seems to be an innovative, very good offensive coach, but sometimes gets a little too excited on the sidelines and I think the players see that and get a little nervous. His defense was pretty suspect last year and has struggled some over the years, but overall, he’s a pretty decent coach. But 4-8 is not what he or his team wants.
They could be a better team this year, but the schedule is tough. BYU comes to Oxford on Sept. 3 to open things up. The Rebels need to win that game. Should be a tough test. If they win that, they have Southern Illinois at home and then Vandy in Nashville. Vandy has beaten the Rebels two out of the last three years including 28-14 at Oxford last year, so that’s a tough one. Then Georgia comes to Oxford. Winnable, but difficult. Then the Rebels go to Fresno State. Fresno State always aims to be an upset specialist and this is another opportunity for them. Very competitive team, so that’ll be tough. Ole Miss beat them at home last year in a high scoring affair. Then Alabama and Arkansas at home, very difficult. Then @Auburn, @ Kentucky, La Tech at home, LSU at home and @ Ms. State. Six wins would be pretty good with this schedule. More than that would be very good.
Quarterback, to me, looks like it’s Barry Brunetti’s to lose this August. He split time with Randall Mackey in the spring, but the West Virginia transfer looks like the better player. Zack Stoudt is the third string guy, but his academic status is questionable.
Running back is very good. Brandon Bolden (5’11, 221, Senior) returns after running for 976 yards and 14 TDs last year. He’s outstanding. Enrique Davis is a highly capable backup who ran for 337 years and three tds last year in only eight games. He battled injuries. Jeff Scott (5’7″, 175) is a small back, but quick.
They have a pretty experienced offensive line returning with a bunch of 300+ players manning the line tackle to tackle. Should be a good group with depth. Bradley Sowell (6’7″, 315, senior) leads the group at left tackle.
Wide receiver is decent. Melvin Harris is a 6’6″ split end. A big target and he’s backed up by Vincent Sanders. Ja-Mes Logan (6’2″, 190) is battling for the starting job with Terrell Grant (6’2″, 213). Nutt likes to throw the ball, too, though he looks to have a pretty stellar running game if those guys stay healthy. Nutt likes to run the solid, safe routes: slants, wide receiver screens and passes out of the backfield. So these guys will need to perform.
Defense will be led by sixth year senior Kentrell Lockett (6’5″, 248 dend), who got hurt last year but was granted a sixth year of eligibility. Good pass rusher. Wayne Dorsey (6’6″, 262) is the other end. Tackle a little thin. Carlton Martin (6’1,288 Redshirt frosh) will start. At nose tackle, Bryon Bennett (6’2″, 280, rfrosh) will be the guy. Linebacker looks athletic like most SEC linebacking corps led by sophomore Mike Marry (6’2″, 248). Dbackfield is thin. They will need some help from some talented incoming freshmen.
Kicking game in good shape. Bryson Rose is a consistent place kicker and Tyler Campbell will punt. Jeff Scott is a good kickoff return man and punt returner. Pretty dangerous. Ran a kickoff back against Auburn last year.
Can Nutt turn it around this year? I think six wins would be a successful season for the Rebels. I don’t see them winning the SEC West with Alabama, Arkansas, LSU, Ms. State and Auburn in there. That’s an elite group. So there are going to be some teams getting beaten up and some very good teams out of the West not making the SEC championship game. Ole Miss will not be in the mix for that. I don’t think they’ll be good enough on defense. Have good athletes there, but not enough this year to compete for the SEC title. But a respectable season should be possible and Nutt has a good freshmen class coming in, so he can keep building. 6-6 looks pretty realistic for the Rebels. Anything better than that would be very successful.
Houston Nutt (pictured above) will try to get Ole Miss to another bowl game. That would be very respectable with their schedule.