That would be great to see and would certainly sell more papers and boost our bottom line.

Parrish,

I agree with what you said, but wouldn't it be great to see the day that the Western Division comes through Mississippi?? I have a feeling that it might sell a few more papers as well!!! LOL!!!

Openeyes, I'm not sure a third-straight loss to MSU alone means major trouble for Nutt if he's shown notable improvement in the other 11 games, and the program is clearly on the mend from 2010. That type of significance on the MSU game alone could come next year.

I AM not a fan of Miss State, but the reports that I am hearing down In Gator,War Eagle, Roll Tide, and Noles country is that MS State could put its best team in some times on the field this season. Just perhaps second in SEC West, I don't go along with this but, maybe third place. Lsu with all their horrible and evil news of late, last in SEC West. Ole Miss just one step and a skip above them. Wish all a good day and week-end GOD BLESS.

JB

gotohell-lsu....

You know as well as everybody else that if Nutt loses 3 in a row to State(no matter what Ole Miss or State fans think)he will be in major trouble. Both teams have a lot of question marks going into this year and my wish is that the Egg Bowl will decide the Western Division.

Surely were not wearing red every homegame. Why would we wear read when Ark and GA visit?

I remember reading about a new RED policy somewhere. Hope fans show up early and fill the stadium with RED.

#53 of the 100 improvements (from the survey)states "fans will be asked to waer red for every hiome game"

I feel like winning the offensive line battle and effectively running the ball will be the difference in the BYU game. It will be important all season, but especially against BYU for the reasons mentioned like inexperienced defense and building confidence.

People talk about the factors of having to fly across the country and adapting to the MS heat. I'm guessing BYU will get to the area mid-week to adjust for any jet-lag. Hopefully the heat, controlling time of possession, and our conditioning will be in our favor.

well chalk that one up to my mistake. for some reason i thought dreisbach's defenses were worse against the run. i do agree it's about what personnel you have and i do like them trying to make the best of a situation they can. that is one big thing i will credit nutt for that i believe he does well and that being that he uses what he has to try and be successful. does he have tendencies toward certain things, yes. however, he does play to his strengths of what he has in personnel.

HFRebel, the 4-2-5 can be effective. David Cutcliffe brought in Chuck Driesbach as DC in 2002 for the purpose of getting better against the run. The Rebels gave up 214.2 a game on the ground the year before Driesbach then 160 in 02, 102.5 in 03 and down to 184.6 in 04, the last year of that staff.

It's all about players. Ole Miss has more defensive backs than linebackers right now. I believe it can be effective. They're not talking much about scheme over there right now. Damien Jackson says he's a safety, though he looks to be sort of a hybrid linebacker, up near the line of scrimmage a lot, but as he says, not in the trenches like the other guys. If that remains true, that will help keep him from wearing down. Personally, I like the move. If you see a change in scheme mid-stream that won't speak well of the season.

Jax, that's a lot of optimism there, but you're right. There is more speed and skill. Big plays allowed lose games, and big plays happen when players are out of position or miss tackles, two things that can happen to inexperienced players. A win against BYU, which would be an upset, would do wonders for this team in terms of confidence.

The optimist in me says 4-4 in conference and 8-4 overall. The realist says 6-6. I think we will be demonstrably more talented. But when that talent is young and has not played much, the big plays kill you. I think we have to get out of the gates 4-1 to have any chance of being over .500. Bad starts kill young teams, good starts seem to take a life of their own.

The three A's in a row are a killer stretch and I think we can only pull off an upset in one of them if we are on a roll and the young guys feel good about themselves.

Morning PA. Just a couple of quick questions.

It would seem obvious because of LB depth we are gonna show a 4-2-5 approach on defense, and also because it's been seen at practice and scrimmages. Yes, the team speed may be a little different, but a recent experiment with the 4-2-5 left lots to be desired in run defense if I recall. Stopping 230lb RB's with a 200lb S playing up on the line may work for a half, but typically those guys wear smaller guys down by the second half. Your thoughts on the effectiveness of this approach? Would this be a first half of the season approach as younger LB's get more experience and then shift back to the 4-3? I guess the results from the first few game may dictate that though.

lets say boone, nutt, bianco, and kennedy get killed in a car crash going to see dickie in prison, who is on the short list for those 4?

GTHLSU, I don't know what color to wear yet, but I will ask. That kind of thing usually comes out early in game week.

I don't think Harris' injury will affect Brassell in any way. They are going to have a plan for Brassell. It will include some defense but not a whole lot in the first week, more as the season goes on.

I see Brunetti as a guy who went into camp with a slight edge - but an edge nonetheless - and just didn't do enough to pull away from the other two. Best option quarterback but average accuracy. Stoudt and Mackey both have him there. Mackey hurt himself with the arrest, but how quickly he regains favor will have a lot to do with how well Brunetti and Stoudt play in Week 1.

I will get a season predictions thread going this weekend.

Lance, I can see another season of struggle too. Right off the bat this team has more speed and talent than last year's, but it also has inexperience at key positions, DT, LB, QB, WR. The Rebels will be improved, but if it doesn't show up in wins, people will get antsy. I think they can get to six wins if the freshmen acclimate quickly and play like sophomores, if a QB emerges as a playmaker, if the OL plays as expected, if they stay away from injuries. Lot of ifs in there, and that many ifs don't usually work out in one team's favor. Maybe enough of them will work out, and they can compensate in other areas.

Lance, I don't think Brewer was brought in by old school money. He wanted to get back this way. If he has a chance to be a head coach he might take off again, but right now he's happy to be back in Oxford.

I think there were a number of issues around Kent Austin's departure. He's got a long way to go to be successful at Cornell, 2-8 last year, outscored 274-124.

Old School and New School people are both quite comfortable when the team is winning. It's amazing how much less the background matters then. If Nutt posts a few more w's this season - and the one at the end that you mention is important - he can show the progress in the program to back up the recruiting classes.

i see where the miss cattlemen assoc is feeding the rebels steak dinners. any chance they would mix that in with some cougar?

this season has me worried big time i could see a 2 -3 win season if the ball bounces in a funny way. this season can't get here fast enough for me just to see what is going to happen

Lance - if we go 4-8 again, but out coach Mullen and win the Egg Roll, yes HN may be forced out.

If we get to 7-5 or even 6-6, without being blown out every game, but Mullen gets his "bowl" win, HN is very safe. Mullen does not factor in to Ole Miss. That is HIS resume builder and main goal in life (countdown clock). Wins and losses are what it's all about.

Good point PA, the schedule IS more difficult this year (but much better home games for fans!). We are going from a very mobile Masoli to a mobile Brunetti, so I see the improvement coming from the Defensive and coaching changes, O-line and true freshman speed. If those work out, should be a good year.

Where does Brassell play in the BYU game, and will Harris' back injury affect where he plays?

Is RED the color fans are supposed to wear this year?

Do you see Brunetti as a less effective QB than Mackey in some areas?

We are almost at game week, PA, when are you posting your predictions? (Those 4 winnable SEC games will not only be on the road, but we will be underdogs in all but maybe Vandy, unless we can get on an early roll)