2010 Mississippi Rebels Preview Odds

Mississippi Rebels

9-4, 7-6 ATS, 3rd Place in SEC West

Odds to Win 2010 BCS Championship: +10000
Odds to Win SEC 40/1
at 5Dimes Sportsbook

Since 2003, the Rebels have yearned to return to the top of the SEC. However, a trend of mediocrity has set in, as Ole Miss has only broken .500 in conference one time since. Last year may have been the Rebels’ best chance to do something impressive, but fairly good stats translated to a 4-4 conference record. Now without several weapons on offense, they look to be in for another tough year.

Offensive Outlook: QB Jevan Snead's unexpected and early departure to the NFL has really caused a ruckus in Oxford. An underclassman is going to have to take the reins over for a team that could fall into shambles quite easily. Replacing Snead's 20 TD passes is going to be difficult, but RB Dexter McCluster accounted for 1,169 rushing yards, 520 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns as well. WR Shay Hodge, who averaged 16.2 yards per reception and scored eight times on 70 catches, is gone as well. Now without both of these weapons, whomever takes snaps for this team will be throwing to senior Markeith Summers and junior Lionel Breaux.

Defensive Outlook: If you were asked to name the top 15 defenses in the nation in terms of points allowed and passing yards allowed, Ole Miss might not make your list. However, they were 15th in both categories, giving up 314.7 yards and 17.7 points per game. The Rebs will be young at the safety and defensive back positions, with eight available DBs being sophomores. Jesse Grandy will return kicks for his second year. He averaged 25.7 yards in 29 returns in 2009. Overall, the pressure will be on the defense and special teams to keep the Rebels in games, as the top offensive weapons are now gone.

The Final Word: It doesn’t get any easier for this Ole Miss team. In addition to the normal grind of the SEC, the Rebels will face the pesky Fresno State Bulldogs. With road games in Tennessee, LSU, Alabama, and Arkansas, a successful SEC season will be next to impossible to achieve. At the end of the day, you will find Ole Miss near the Ole basement.

2010 Mississippi Rebels Prediction: 6-6, 4th place in SEC West

2010 Mississippi Rebels Schedule
9/4 Jacksonville State
9/11 @ Tulane
9/18 Vanderbilt
9/25 Fresno State
10/2 Kentucky
10/16 @ Alabama
10/23 @ Arkansas
10/30 Auburn
11/6 Louisiana-Lafayette
11/13 @ Tennessee
11/20 @ LSU
11/27 Mississippi State