Mississippi Rebels
2010 record: 4-8 overall, 1-7 conference
2010 Bowl Game: N/A
2010 ATS: 4-8
2010 O/U: 8-4
Returning starters: 14 total (9 on offense, 5 on defense)
Over the month of August, our team of writers will be previewing the top teams heading into an exciting 2011 campaign. The college football handicappers at Maddux Sports are also preparing and have season-long packages readily available for clients.
Let’s head to the Southeastern Conference and check in with Houston Nutt in Oxford, Mississippi.
Offense
Ole Miss will certainly be able to run the football this year, bringing back All-SEC running back Brandon Bolden, who tied the school record for touchdowns scored (17) and rushing touchdowns (14), while also finishing fifth in the conference in rushing.
He will be running behind an offensive line that returns all five starters and five more linemen that earned starts. The group is highly talented and topped the conference in fewest sacks allowed and notched eight 100-yard rushing games between four different runners.
Much of this year’s offseason has been spent determining who will be behind center when the team opens up against BYU on Sept. 3. The race to become quarterback is a tight three-way race, with West Virginia transfer Barry Brunetti leading the pack at this time.
Junior Randall Mackey is also in the thick of the quarterback race, as he’s a junior college transfer that redshirted last year to learn the offense.
The receiving core lacks depth, but received a huge boost with coach Gunter Brewer coming over from Oklahoma State.
Junior Melvin Harris is the most dangerous weapon of the group, as he has the ability to out jump cornerbacks on the outside with his 6-6 frame.
Defense
The unit allowed a school record 35.2 points per game last season, which was last in the SEC and 107th nationally.
Ole Miss received some big news when the NCAA granted a sixth season of eligibility to Kentrell Lockett, who leads all returning SEC players in career tackles-for-loss and sixth in sacks.
The weakness of the defensive line will be found in the tackle position, as the interior lost four contributors from a season ago.
Improving the pass defense was a high priority during spring ball after allowing opponents to throw for 246.3 yards per game through the air. One player that has given the coaching staff confidence in the unit is cornerback Wesley Pendleton during the spring, as he has moved up the depth chart and is looked upon as a playmaker.
Special Teams
Placekicking responsibilities will be handled by junior Bryson Rose, who is coming off a solid season in finishing third in the conference in field goal makes.
Few teams have a better punter than the Rebels, as All-American Tyler Campbell led the nation with a 46.4-yard average in 2010.
The return game possesses some weapons, including Jeff Scott, who comes back after ranking 20th in the nation in kickoff returns.
Against the Spread
Ole Miss has posted a 19-15 ATS mark under Nutt during his time in Oxford. Watch the college football lines page all season long for SEC odds.
Bet On
Facing off against Alabama is never an easy task, but the Rebels are 5-1 ATS in the last seven meetings and have covered four of the last five when hosting.
Fade Away
There’s a good chance that Ole Miss will not cover the spread against Fresno State on Oct. 1, as the school is 1-6 ATS before Alabama and has Arkansas the following week.
