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Inside Ole Miss Sports



Ole Miss Football Schedule - Tulane ...
by parrishalford
 Inside Ole Miss Sports
Jul 28, 2012 | 1689 views | 9 9 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend | print | permalink

Another look at Ole Miss football from Hayden Sowers ...

A September 22nd trip to the Big Easy comes in as game number 3 in my countdown this week.  Ole Miss will play Tulane in the fourth week of the season in their last tuneup before the SEC schedule starts.   Here’s my preview:

-  On offense the Green Wave return 6 starters for a unit that averaged 214 yards through the air and 126 yards on the ground while putting up 21 points per game.  Those numbers were good for 71st, 86th, and 105th in the nation.  Curtis Johnson, former Saints WR coach, is now the coach for the Green Wave and will move towards more of a pro-style multiple scheme offense.  Jr RB Orleans Darkwa, who rushed for 924 yards and 13 TDs last season, has a great chance to lead C-USA in rushing yards this season so the Rebels will have their work cut out for them to stop Darkwa.  Sr QB Ryan Griffin returns as well coming off a 2502 yard, 13 TD, and 10 INT season.  Johnson said in the spring that he was concerned about the receivers and tight ends so look for the Green Wave to try to pound to ball and use play action in the passing game.

-   On defense, Tulane only returns 5 starters and last year you can’t describe them any other way than terrible.  Giving up 38 points per game, good for dead last in the nation, they will obviously provide the Rebels with an opportunity to have a big game on offense.  Just like I’ve said in games 1 and 2, I don’t really know how effective Hugh Freeze’s offense will be in live game action.  By game 4 though, the Rebels should have a good grasp on it and be ready to roll over the Green Wave.  Tulane gave up 30 points in 10 out of 12 games last year.  LB Trent Mackey, who had 145 tackles last year, does return to try to lead a revival for the Green Wave defense.

-  Prediction: Ole Miss 35, Tulane 14.  Notice the scoring margin is higher than my prediction for the UTEP game, but this game is the Rebels first road game and that is why it comes in at 3 instead of 2.  Hugh Freeze will need to win these three games I’ve previewed so far, because after that it looks very bleak for the Rebels.

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zombieslayer
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July 28, 2012
I wish that I had an answer for you Churn. It seems to me that it started when the " powers that be" ran Cutcliffe out. He seemed to have things in order. Recruiting was above average, the players were staying out of trouble, the teams were going to bowl games pretty regular and he was a decent man,( one that any university would be proud to call coach). Look how long he has been at DUKE! It is just my opinion and you know about opinions.... It sure seems that disaster has followed, save two years under Nutt, However those should have an * beside them, cause Bama was suffering from probation, a couple of lucky wins over the mad hatter and the pups were down, too! How they ever got rid of that decent man,( Cutcliffe), is beyond me!
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Churn
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July 28, 2012
I must agree SEC has changed in a more competitive style, then if Ole Miss is not able to compete then they should find them a conference that they can compete. Not ACC then they would see teams as FSU Miami as the rest of that group,and not best for their interest, so where do they go, you tell me. please Sir, tell me what has happened to that once powerful Ole Miss football machine that I once loved and had so much respect for? There's something that has change up there in OXFORD that has brought them to this disaster that they are experiencing in this modern times.

JB
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zombieslayer
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July 28, 2012
I hear you Churn, but the SEC is much different now than it was when Tubs took over. At one point last season BAM, LSU, and ARk were in the top 5...and Auby and Mstate weren't far behind. The SEC west is a tough tough place and now A&m is here too! It is a long row to hoe.
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Churn
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July 28, 2012
Tuberville came to town with less talented player and did make winners of them, anyway ole miss football of my interest today, was just thinking about crappie fishing on the Sardis backwaters up and around the Clear Creek area. Be a good day to go fishing, but them Crappies would be deep down in the cooler waters this time of year, and would take a patient fisherman to bring them to the surface.

Anyway good luck Rebels, I believe you will be a winner this season.

JB
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gotohell-lsu
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July 28, 2012
I just agree with PA, and all the other preseason predictions, of going 3-1 non-conference.

I don't think we have a prayer in the 4 road games. AR may have a bad year with the new coach, and we may play another close LSU game, but probably not?

We'll be the underdog in each SEC home game, but they are vs bottom-half SEC teams. It's foolish to say there is no chance to upset A&M, Auburn, Vandy or MS state, when it's still July. Let's see how this new offense is going in October, and maybe the defense becomes SEC worthy?
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zombieslayer
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July 28, 2012
5 or 6 wins? Really? I would like to order an ounce of what you are smoking. It must be some of that sweet stinky weed from campus! I like coach Freeze and what he stands for, but there is no way this team can win 4 games, let alone 5 or 6. LSU, I like your enthusiasm, but let's keep it real. This is a process, it's a process that will take several years before we can even think about getting bowl eligible. We are in a similar situation as MOO U was when they hired Croom, except they had better talent than we have on this roster. Keep the faith, we will rise again!
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gotohell-lsu
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July 28, 2012
Offense should be in rhythm by 4th game with a stable QB or stable rotation by then. I agree with being 3-1 after this game.

MS and FL are the only SEC schools with 8 consecutive SEC games, but FL gets 3 non-conference games to end the season.

I think we have a legitimate chance with 3 of the next 8 games, possibly even 4 if Auburn has a down year. And the weaker SEC teams travel to Oxford. I don't know which game is the next winnable, but lack of depth may show more in the second half of the season. SportsEd posted that Ole Miss is statistically due to a good year with injuries.
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deaconblues
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July 28, 2012
Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News tweeted "Not saying Ole Miss is going to struggle this year but they have players considering a transfer to Penn State."
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Churn
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July 28, 2012
Thanks, Hayden, for thanks preview. Good job.

JB
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