The Mississippi Rebels will look to build upon their success vs. the college football betting odds in 2010. The team is even considering bringing in former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. The Rebels could use Masoli considering they have no one to backup starter Nathan Stanley. Mississippi went 9-4 last season and 7-6 vs. the college football lines. Head coach Houston Nutt did a fine job last year with the Rebels and he is hoping for more in 2010. T
aking a flyer on Masoli might be a good move or it could upset the other players. The Rebels were not considering adding Masoli but backup quarterback Raymond Cotton left the team. Mississippi would really like to have an experienced quarterback to back up Stanley. The Rebels would be gambling that Masoli could stay out of trouble. He couldn’t do so at Oregon and people wonder whether he can do the right things at Mississippi. The Rebels took a chance last season on Jamar Hornsby and they regretted that decision as they had to dismiss him from the team after he got into trouble again. They may not have learned anything from that situation though as they look willing to take a chance on Masoli.
Mississippi will have to do something because their current backup quarterback is junior college transfer Randall Mackey who wasn’t even at spring practice.
Mississippi plays in the SEC and that is never easy but the Rebels do have some winnable games. Losing Dexter McCluster and Jevan Snead probably will prevent Ole Miss from improving to a ten win season but they should still make a bowl game. The Rebels really like redshirt freshman wide receiver Ja-Mes Logan. The defense for Mississippi looks good as they return most of their starters from last season including Jerrell Powe and Kentrell Lockett.
Someone at Mississippi knew what they were doing when they made this season’s schedule. The Rebels have very winnable games to break in their new offensive players as they host Jacksonville State, go to Tulane and then play three straight at home against Vanderbilt, Fresno State and Kentucky. The Rebels could start the season 5-0 before likely losses at Alabama and Arkansas. They host Auburn and then get a gimme game at home vs. UL Lafayette. That could get them to six wins and they can win at Tennessee the next week. They will probably lose at LSU but they could win at Mississippi State to end the season. With an upset along the way the Rebels could find a way to eight wins this season.