Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt feels like his offensive line took a big step forward last week in the blowout win over UAB. That’s what it’s going to take the rest of the way if the Rebels are going to come close to living up to their preseason billing. There’s no question that quarterback Jevan Snead has struggled against good defenses this season, but so has his offensive line. The Rebels still need to protect better, and they also need to run the ball better. Unleashing Dexter McCluster the second half of the season would help everyone. McCluster has just 164 rushing yards through six games and doesn’t have a run longer than 18 yards. The Rebels could desperately use some more big plays from McCluster. If the offense comes around, the defense is playing well enough for the Rebels to win out. Either way, you find out a lot about this Ole Miss team Saturday when Arkansas comes to town.
Best-case scenario: Snead closes the season the same way he closed last season, and the Rebels go unbeaten the rest of the way to finish 10-2 and land in the Capital One Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: The offensive woes continue, and with the Rebels not scoring any points, the defense’s spirit also breaks. The Rebels end the season by losing three of their last six games and finishing a disappointing 7-5.
Prediction: Snead plays better in the second half, and the defense keeps up its strong play to steer the Rebels to an 8-4 finish and a return trip to the Cotton Bowl.
Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt feels like his offensive line took a big step forward last week in the blowout win over UAB. That’s what it’s going to take the rest of the way if the Rebels are going to come close to living up to their preseason billing. There’s no question that quarterback Jevan Snead has struggled against good defenses this season, but so has his offensive line. The Rebels still need to protect better, and they also need to run the ball better. Unleashing Dexter McCluster the second half of the season would help everyone. McCluster has just 164 rushing yards through six games and doesn’t have a run longer than 18 yards. The Rebels could desperately use some more big plays from McCluster. If the offense comes around, the defense is playing well enough for the Rebels to win out. Either way, you find out a lot about this Ole Miss team Saturday when Arkansas comes to town.
Best-case scenario: Snead closes the season the same way he closed last season, and the Rebels go unbeaten the rest of the way to finish 10-2 and land in the Capital One Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: The offensive woes continue, and with the Rebels not scoring any points, the defense’s spirit also breaks. The Rebels end the season by losing three of their last six games and finishing a disappointing 7-5.
Prediction: Snead plays better in the second half, and the defense keeps up its strong play to steer the Rebels to an 8-4 finish and a return trip to the Cotton Bowl.
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Chris Low
Low joined ESPN.com in 2007 after 10 years with The (Nashville) Tennessean covering the University of Tennessee and SEC. The Rock Hill, S.C., native lives with his wife in Knoxville and has three sons.
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