Wasn’t this team supposed to be the “Black Bears” like two years ago?
GAME 9
NOVEMBER 5, 2011 3:30 PM
MISSISSIPPI REBELS 2-6 (0-5)
TV – ESPNU
MISSISSIPPI LEADS SERIES 27-13-1
RECENT GAMES
10/2/2010: Mississippi 42 KENTUCKY 35
9/16/2006: KENTUCKY 31 Mississippi 14
10/22/2005: Mississippi 13 KENTUCKY 7
The Kentucky Wildcats will look to get their first SEC win when they take on the Ole Miss Rebels this Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium. The Rebels are also win-less in the SEC and the teams are a combined 0-9 in the SEC this year. Ole Miss has lost 11 consecutive SEC games, with their last win being at home against UK last year. The Cat’s will look to return the favor while attempting to get the win and keep their postseason dreams alive. This game could also be called the “Boiler Bowl” as both teams head coaches are firmly on the hot seat. Joker Phillips, in just his second season at Kentucky has received a vote of confidence form the Kentucky administration. You get the feeling that the heat is definitely hotter for Houston Nutt as Mississippi’s AD declined to give a vote of confidence this week and instead said that “we just let the season play itself out”. Ouch.
A loss to Kentucky could mean the water boileth over for Houston Nutt. Here’s some fun facts about the Rebels:
*Rank 105th in passing ypg with 160.9
*Rank 103rd in points scored
*Ole Miss leads country with 27.75 yards per punt return
*Lost last week at Auburn, 41-23
*Against Auburn, Ole Miss rushed 44 times for 220 yards, so controlling the line of scrimmage and stopping the run will be the deciding factor in this game.
*Only 2 wins are against Fresno State and Southern Illinois
*It’s normally been the home team who’s been the victor in this series. In the last 10 matchups, the home team is 8-2, which bolds well for the Cats.
*This game will be a faceoff between a moveable object and a stoppable force, as Ole Miss ranks last in the SEC in total defense, while UK ranks last in total offense. Something’s gotta give.
OFFENSE:
RB Jeff Scott
Entering the year, Scott was listed as the 2nd-string RB, but due to an injury to starter Brandon Bolden, he’s taken over the starting role and has been Ole Miss’ most productive player this season. Scott is currently 6th in the SEC in all purpose yards with 116.0 yards/game. He leads the team in rushing yards with 476 yards and six TD’s. Scott can be a threat out of the backfield, as he has 14 receptions for 89 yards, so Danny Trevathen will probably be tasked with covering Scott nearly every play he’s on the field. He’s also dangerous in the return game, as he’s taken one punt return back for a touchdown. He has been the center of Ole Miss’ offense, so containing him will be key to stopping the Rebels’ offense.
RB Brandon Bolden
Bolden entered the year as the Rebels’ #1 running back after bypassing the NFL Draft to return for his senior season. Injuries have hampered Bolden, allowing Jeff Scott to take the reigns. He has bounced back well lately, as he rushed for 114 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns against Auburn last week. He’s also averaging over 6 ypc against SEC competition. With a healthy Bolden and an emerging Scott, Ole Miss now has a legitimate 1-2 punch in their running game.
WR Nickolas Brassell
After an injury limited the freshman, Brassell to one catch in his first three games, he’s become the team’s most productive WR. In the last five games for the Rebels, he’s averaging 60 ypg on 15.1 ypc. He had four catches for 101 yards against Alabama’s vaunted defense, followed by eight catches for 70 yards against Arkansas, so UK must focus coverage on the talented freshman.
QB Randall Mackey
Mackey is the third starting QB for the Rebels this season and he has actually had some decent games this year. On the season, he has 809 yards and 5 TD and 4 INT’s but he did manage an 18-30-219 game versus Arkansas with 2 TD’s. Mackey has been running for survival most of the season and has 38 rush attempts over the last three games for just 45 yards.
DEFENSE
CB Charles Sawyer
Sawyer has been the most solid play-maker on a Rebels defense that lacks play-makers. He excels at making plays on the ball, snagging four interceptions this year, which leads the team. He’s not afraid to get physical, as he has 49 tackles, including four tackles-for-loss.
DE Wayne Dorsey
The senior DE has been Ole Miss’ most productive defensive lineman. He leads the team in sacks with three, and tackles-for-loss with five, so he has the ability to consistently get into opponents’ backfields. UK’s offensive-tackles must keep him blocked and keep pressure off Max Smith,.
PREDICTIONS:
Jason Marcum:
This is arguably the worst team in the SEC this year, and UK has to win this game to not only keep any bowl dreams alive, but to keep from truly falling to the bottom of the SEC. UK will come out firing behind a heavy does of RB’s Coshik Williams and Johnathan George to keep UK’s offense on the field and control the time-of-possession battle. Ole Miss’ offense will counter with a rushing attack of Jeff Scott and Brandon BoldenUK Wins 27-21
Paul Jordan: Look for a pretty boring game on Saturday as both teams main goal will be to limit the mistakes. As Jason said, this game will be fought in the trenches and on the ground as both teams should play conservatively. Expect some bumps from Max Smith as that is typical of a true freshman, but I have to focus on how much confidence the UK offense seemed to have in Smith and how he seemed to boost the overall level of play when he was in. He provides excitement to what should be a lackadaisical game. Kentucky 27 Ole Miss 13.
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