Mississippi Football Preview

MISSISSIPPI
A new start will take place in Oxford and the expectations are already growing thanks to Houston Nutt, who takes over as head coach after leaving Arkansas where he coached for the past decade. New QB Jevan Snead, the highly regarded transfer from Texas who takes over after redshirting last fall also plays a role in the excitement that is building. Nutt will have to adjust his offensive schemes to a more passing approach in order to take advantage of Snead's arm. This factor is even more emphasized considering all three receivers are back while the question marks at RB appear glaring after losing two-time 1,000 yard rusher BenJarvus Green-Ellis. For now junior Cordera Eason gets the first crack at being the primary ball carrier but incoming frosh Enrique Davis, one of the nation's top prep recruits is going to push him. WR Mike Wallace has big play ability and Dexter McCluster is versatile enough to take snaps behind center much like McFadden did when Nutt was coaching the Razorbacks. The line has four starters back and includes All-American senior tackle Michael Oher. While the defense returns eight starters, depth is extremely thin with the back seven. Experience exists with the starters but Ole Miss can ill-afford injuries here. Luckily, the strength of the defense is on the line of scrimmage where senior DT Peria Jerry racked up 58 tackles last season. DE Greg Hardy earned a few post-season accolades last fall but has to show more in terms of being an every down guy. He is a sack machine when in the game. Ole Miss has some remarkable individual players, but it's questionable if the roster has enough overall talent to reach a bowl game for the first time since 2003. The potential is here in 2008 to make the Rebels a worthy opponent if the RBs can take advantage of the skilled blockers and the highly rated DL can reach its potential.