Mississippi Rebels 2009 College Football Picks: Even without bringing home an SEC Title to Ole Miss in 20008, last season was an extraordinary successful season after finishing 0-8 during in-conference play in 2007. Mississippi won its final six games in 2008, including an AT&T Cotton Bowl victory over Texas Tech. Former head coach Ed Orgeron brought in the talent that this program has historically been without; but new head coach Houston Nutt was just what the Rebels needed to turn their fortunes around. With a lot of returning talent and as with as light of a schedule that the SEC can create, Ole Miss looks to crack the top 10 in 2009. The college football picks experts at online sportsbook SBG Global has the Mississippi Rebels listed at +2500 odds to win the 2010 BCS National Championship Title.
#15 UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
2008 Season Record: 9-4
2008 Final Rank: 15
Returning Starters on Offense: 8
Returning Starts on Defense: 9
Pros: Experience. All of the players that excelled during last year’s “rebuilding” season have another year under their belts, and with the exception of Michael Oher, everyone of note will be returning in 2009. Quarterback Jevan Snead had a breakout sophomore season, establishing a quarterback rating of 145.50 and tossing 26 touchdowns. Wide receiver Dexter McCluster will be Snead’s biggest weapon. Despite the loss of first round draft pick Peria Jerry, Greg Hardy, Kentrell Lockett and Marcus Tilman will be a force to be reckoned with.
Cons: Expectations. There were no expectations in 2008 before Mississippi surprised the nation and especially fans in Oxford with a second place finish in the SEC West Division and a bowl victory. But with the success of last season and all of the talent that is returning this season, a target has been placed on the back of Ole Miss. The schedule is also fairly light, coming off of a surprisingly poor season for the SEC, with LSU, Auburn and Arkansas combining for only seven conference wins.
The college football picks odds makers at SBG Global have the Mississippi Rebels +300 odds favorites to win the SEC Conference Title.
Overall Outlook: There is still one more year until the SEC gets back to being a powerhouse conference, so this season may be Mississippi’s only chance at a breakout season. If the Rebels can get off to a quick start, the tail end of their light schedule is the easiest part. With exception to key injuries during the season, Ole Miss should make a run in the SEC. If the offensive and defensive lines can overcome losses to Oher and Jerry and still be successful, then watch out. The Rebels have more than enough talent to make some noise in the SEC in 2009.
Keys to Success: Replacing Oher and Jerry. Bradley Sowell will be replacing Oher at left tackle and is a rising star. But Oher was an established all-star, and was the cornerstone for the offense. Without solid protection, Ole Miss will not have the ground game that they want and will not be able to give Snead the time to make big plays. On the flip side, a suspect secondary needs the defensive line to get pressure on the quarterback and stop the run. If opponents are successful against a dominant run defense from last season, then a secondary who allowed the most yards in 2008 could be even worse. Solid jobs by the replacements of these two stars will be vital to a successful season. Ole Miss allowed only 85.5 rushing yards per game in 2008. Ole Miss outscored opponents 80-27 in the third quarter in 2008. Ole Miss lost its four games by a touchdown or less.
Online Sportsbook SBG Global has posted the following odds to win the 2010 BCS National Championship:
Alabama +2200
Arizona St +7000
Arkansas +7000
Auburn +9000
Boston College +7500
California +2200
Cincinnati +8500
Clemson +7500
Colorado +8500
Florida +150
Florida St +4000
Georgia +7500
Georgia Tech +1200
Illinois +4500
Iowa +8500
Kansas +4500
Kansas St +8500
Kentucky +8500
Louisville +8500
LSU +3200
Miami FL +3200
Michigan +8500
Michigan St +1700
Missouri +8500
Nebraska +4500
Notre Dame +1200
Ohio St +800
Oklahoma +650
Oklahoma St +2700
Oregon +4500
Penn St +1500
Rutgers +4500
South Carolina +8500
South Florida+5000
Southern Cal +600
Tennessee +8500
Texas +650
Texas A&M +8500
Texas Tech +6500
UCLA +8500
Virginia Tech +1700
Wake Forest +8500
North Carolina +4500
West Virginia +6000
Wisconsin +6500
Field (All Others) +1200
