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Ole Miss (Last Year: 9-4)
2009 College Football Season Preview:
Star Players:
QB Jevan Snead, RB Brandon Bolden, WR Dexter McCluster, WR Shay Hodge, T John Jerry, G Daverin Geralds, DE Greg Hardy, DE Kentrell Lockett, DE Marcus Tillman, DT Ted Laurent, DT Lawon Scott, ILB Jonathan Cornell, OLB Allen Walker, CB Cassius Vaughn, FS Kendrick Lewis.
Draft/Graduation/Transfer Losses:
WR Mike Wallace, T Michael Oher, G Maurice Miller, DE Chris Bowers, DT Peria Jerry, ILB Tony Fein, OLB Ashlee Palmer, CB Dustin Mouzon, S Jamarca Samford.
2009 Ole Miss Rebels Offense:
The big question entering the 2008 season for the Ole Miss Rebels was how would Jevan Snead play after a year of sitting out from football because of his transfer from Texas to Oxford. Every question was answered. Snead won big games with his arm, and put up solid stats doing it. Snead only completed 56.3 percent of his passes, but he did it for an 8.45 YPA, resulting in 2,762 passing yards. He also had a 2:1 TD-INT ratio and had an extremely good touchdown percentage of 7.95.
However, Snead does lose a top target in Mike Wallace, who was drafted in the third round by the Steelers this year. His new No. 1 will be senior Shay Hodge, who put up similar numbers to Wallace last season.
Dexter McCluster is also one of the main weapons on this offense, though he also saw time last season at running back. McCluster led the team in all-purpose yardage, and it will be interesting to see if Houston Nutt decides to use McCluster in this role, or if he decides to go with more of a traditional backfield.
Leading the way is the running back duo of sophomore Brandon Bolden and senior Cordera Eason. I expect Bolden to lead the team in carries next season because I think he is the most talented back on the team, but in all likelihood Ole Miss will opt for a committee unit.
The offensive line is one of the most talented in the SEC, and it is led by right tackle John Jerry. Jerry is an athletic player with mammoth size at 6-5, 350. Replacing Michael Oher at left tackle is sophomore Bradley Sowell. Sowell is huge at 6-7, 310, but it is uncertain whether he has the footwork to man Snead’s blindside.
The player to watch on the offensive line is redshirt freshman Rishaw Johnson at right guard. He is 6-4, 295, and Oher told me at the Senior Bowl he will be a big star eventually. Johnson was a highly recruited player out of Hammond, La.
Snead will lead this offense to big things next season, and it looks like there are no real weak points offensively. If the line can come together, watch out.
2009 Ole Miss Rebels Defense:
The 2008 Mississippi defense was led by senior defensive tackle Peria Jerry, who was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in April. Replacing him will not be done because those shoes are simply too big to be filled.
However, I do see some ways this defense can mature in other units, which can then potentially be a surprise for the country in 2009 as Mississippi looks to take advantage of their speed on the defensive side of the football.
With the Rebels, it all starts up front as they boast one of the deepest defensive line rotations in the country. Returning is the leading sack artist on the team in Greg Hardy, who managed to rack up 8.5 sacks in only eight games in 2008. Hardy needs to do a better job of staying healthy next season, but he is a potential top-10 draft pick in 2010.
The rest of the line needs to step up if they want their defense to be elite. Junior Kentrell Locket was a highly recruited end and is living up to the hype. I would like to see him pack on some weight to his 6-5 frame, but he is due for a breakout season. I am telling all of my draft buddies to look out for junior Lawon Scott next season. He is quick and thick, and a beast against the run. The junior campaign is the year where defensive linemen traditionally break out and it would not shock me if he received All-SEC honors at the end of the season.
The linebacking corps is going to be much more experienced in 2009, and I think that will pay dividends. Leading the group is junior Jonathan Cornell on the inside. Tony Fein and Ashlee Palmer are gone, so expect this junior to be the emotional leader for the unit. Senior Patrick Trahan and junior Allen Walker are on the outside and provide speed, playmaking ability and range.
One of the best players on this team is their free safety, Kendrick Lewis. Lewis rarely takes false steps in coverage, and has great ball skills and range. Marshay Green is undersized, yet physical and experienced at cornerback. Cassius Vaughn is one of the most underrated players on this entire team at corner. He is probably the most athletic defensive back and rarely gets beaten deep. I like this unit as a hole, but there aren’t enough great athletes to say they are one of the best backfields in the SEC.
2009 Ole Miss Rebels Schedule and Intangibles:
Mississippi’s schedule is ridiculously comparable to Alabama’s. One difference is Mississippi plays South Carolina on the road, where Alabama plays South Carolina at home. Also, Mississippi plays at Vanderbilt whereas Alabama plays at Kentucky. I think Mississippi has a distinct advantage here because not only do they get Alabama at home, but they also take on Vanderbilt, whom I consider to be a weaker opponent than Kentucky. Also, Ole Miss does not have a projected loss in non-conference play, but Alabama has top-10 opponent Virginia Tech to start off the season.
I think Mississippi will beat Alabama because they have them at home, but ultimately we will see one loss, whether it is to Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, etc. This team should win the SEC West, but make no mistake about it, beating Alabama is extremely difficult.
A weakness the Rebels have is on special teams. Josh Sheene has not been accurate from 40-plus in his career. The Rebels will also be breaking out a new punter in Justin Sparks, who handled kickoff duties in the past. Marshay Greene is a solid punt return man, but isn’t electric. The Rebels have average, but effective special teams.
2009 Ole Miss Rebels Positional Rankings (1-5 stars):
Quarterbacks |
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Coaching |
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2009 Ole Miss Rebels Analysis:
Many people are picking Ole Miss to be the favorite to win the SEC West in 2009, and I am one of them. I think Jevan Snead takes a big step forward next season as he will enter the 2010 NFL Draft, and I think this defensive line will really step up. There really isn’t that much not to like about Ole Miss. Some might criticize and say Alabama has more talent, and I agree with that. I think Alabama is more talented, but the talented team doesn’t always win. Ole Miss has Bama at home, and Alabama’s passing game might get exposed.
It has been a while since we have said the SEC West is better than the SEC East, but the time is now. This will be a very exciting year in the West, and the SEC talk is not Gators vs. Bulldogs. Rather, it is Rebels vs. Crimson Tide.
Projection: 11-1 (SEC West Champions)
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