2009 Mississippi Rebels Football Preview
2009 Mississippi Rebels season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Mississippi Rebels football preview as well as the 2009 Mississippi Rebels Football Schedule. We also offer a free odds comparison service of lines and totals on the NCAA football odds page.
Coach: Houston Nutt (2nd year at Mississippi)
Team Name: Rebels
2008 Overall Record: 9-4
Returning Starters: 16
After a five-year hiatus, it looks like the Ole Miss Rebels (9- 4 overall, 5- 3 SEC) are back. In 2008, the Rebs finished second in the SEC West, were ranked 20th nationally and beat Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl 47- 34. Mississippi, a team on the rise, should be better and achieve more in 2009.
The Rebels put an average of 32.1 PPG (28th nationally) in 2008. On the ground, they were formidable. The list of running backs is deep and talented. Dexter McCluster (109 ATT, 655 YDs, 5 TDs) is a versatile performer. McCluster led the club in rushing and was second in pass catching with 44 receptions, 625 yards and one touchdown. Other accomplished ground gainers include senior Cordera Eason (140 ATT, 647 YDs, 3 TDs) and sophomore Brandon Bolden (98 ATT, 542 YDs, 5 TDs). Senior wideout Shay Hodge (44 REC, 725 YDs, 8 TDs) and senior tight end Gerald Harris (7 REC, 84 YDs, 4 TDs) will be important targets. Although the frontline lacks depth, freshman tackle Bobbie Massie should help bolster this unit.
On defense, there’s a load of talent and athleticism but the frontline will be without All-American Peria Jerry who notched seven sacks, made 11 tackles for a loss and proved to be a total leader on defense. Still, there’s a strong group of defensive ends, including Greg Hardy who led the team with 8.5 sacks last year. In the linebacking unit, juniors Allen Walker (41 TKLs, 2 SKs, 2 TFL) and Jonathan Cornell (45 TKLs, 3 SKs, 2.5 TFL) will be helped greatly by Auburn transfer Patrick Trahan. Last season, the Rebs had problems in the secondary. The corners are manned by seniors Marshay Green (32 TKLs, 2 INTs) and Cassius Vaughn (43 TKLs, 3 INTs). Senior free safety Kendrick Lewis (85 TKLs, 4 INTs) is always on the prowl. It’s hoped that a year of experience will help this unit excel.
Senior kicker Joshua Shene (52- 52 Extra Pts, 17- 21 FG), who was All-SEC, offers distance and consistency. This season’s starting punter will be Justin Sparks. Senior Marshay Green (35 RET, 381 YDs, 10.9 YPR), who ran one punt back for a TD last season, is an open field threat. Replacing kickoff return specialist Mike Wallace (24.6 YPR) won’t be easy. The extremely athletic Brandon Bolden, a sophomore speedster, looks promising.
Houston Nutt (9- 4 in one year at Ole Miss) certainly has a great first season at the helm of Ole Miss. After posting losing numbers for four years in a row and winning no more than four games per season, the Rebels got back on track in 2008. Last season on September 27, their season was defined when they upset the Florida Gators 31-30. From October 25 on, the team ran off six straight wins. This season, the Rebels will be helped by a schedule that includes non-conference games versus Memphis, SE Louisiana, UAB and Northern Arizona. Additionally within the conference, the National Champsionship Gators are not on the schedule while the transitioning Volunteers and weakened Gamecocks are. The Ole Miss Rebels are a capable first place team and could be bound for a BCS Bowl game.
Mississippi Rebels Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/6/2009 | Mississippi | Memphis | away | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | Mississippi | SE Louisiana | home | ||||
| 9/24/2009 | Mississippi | South Carolina | away | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | Mississippi | Vanderbilt | away | ||||
| 10/10/2009 | Mississippi | Alabama | home | ||||
| 10/17/2009 | Mississippi | UAB | home | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | Mississippi | Arkansas | home | ||||
| 10/31/2009 | Mississippi | Auburn | away | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | Mississippi | Northern Arizona | home | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | Mississippi | Tennessee | home | ||||
| 11/21/2009 | Mississippi | LSU | home | ||||
| 11/28/2009 | Mississippi | Mississippi St. | away |
For more info on the 2009 Mississippi Rebels football program, view the Rebels official website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the SEC competition.
