Houston Nutt exited Oxford on a sour note, and now Ole Miss has to reconstruct its football program. Trying to search for one positive aspect of last year’s season is nearly impossible. Not only did LSU and Alabama destroy the Rebels (or Black Bears), so did Kentucky. Need I say more?
New coach Hugh Freeze has a tough job on his hands, particularly since his program happens to play in a conference that might as well be the next step down from the NFL. But since last year was such a terrible display, any improvement will be welcome in Oxford.
2012 Forecast: I do think there will be some improvement from last season, but I don’t think the overall body of work will be changed significantly.
Offensive player to watch: #17 Jamal Mosley – SR– tight end
Defensive player to watch: #55 Cameron Wingham – JR – defensive end
Sept. 1 – Central Arkansas (Oxford) – Win 45-10
Sept. 8 – UTEP (Oxford) – Win 34-14
Sept. 15 – Texas (Oxford) – Loss 28-17
Sept. 22 – Tulane (New Orleans) – Win 35-14
Sept. 29 – Alabama (Tuscaloosa) – Loss 21-7
Oct. 6 – Texas A&M (Oxford) – Loss 29-27
Oct. 13 – Auburn (Oxford) – Loss 30-13
Oct. 20 – Off
Oct. 27 – Arkansas (Little Rock) – Loss 31-28
Nov. 3 – Georgia (Athens) – Loss 35-14
Nov. 10 – Vanderbilt (Oxford) – Loss 28-10
Nov. 17 – LSU (Baton Rouge) – Loss 29-10
Nov. 24 – Mississippi State (Oxford) – Loss 28-24
Projected record: 3-9 (0-8)
It will once again be a dismal record for Ole Miss. Freeze will be behind the eight ball after this year to change things in a hurry in Oxford. Otherwise, he will be just another short-term solution.
*Home games are in BOLD