SEC Football 2008: Ole Miss

Photo by ROGELIO V. SOLIS

Houston Nutt poses with his wife, Diana, left, and youngest daughter, Haven, when he was introduced as coach for Ole Miss in November at Oxford, Miss.

The best thing that happened connected to Ole Miss football last season was Eli Manning winning a Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, back in Oxford things weren't so hot. That's why Ed Orgeron is gone and, Houston Nutt, of all people, is the new sheriff in town.

The Rebels haven't had a winning season since 2003. Nutt had only two losing seasons in 10 years at Arkansas and twice took the Razorbacks to the SEC Championship Game.

So his first order of business is trying to change the mindset of players that went 0-8 in SEC play last year.

"You have a group of guys,'' Nutt said, "that had very little success the last three, four years and they haven't experienced a bowl game. They didn't experience winning an SEC game last year.

"Those are the obstacles that we're trying to really work hard with.''

Ten years ago Nutt took over a 4-7 Arkansas team and went 9-3 his first time out. That kind of transformation at Ole Miss this year is probably out of the question.

Still, if a losing mentality is the bad news at Ole Miss, the good news is Orgeron recruited some good talent. The cupboard isn't bare, especially on offense.

Two newcomers could hold the key to have quickly the Rebels can turn things around.

Quarterback Jevan Snead sat out last year, running the scout team, after transferring from Texas.

He was a Parade All-American in 2006, then battled Colt McCoy for the starting job that fall in Austin. McCoy prevailed and Snead came to Ole Miss to start over.

"He's highly intelligent,'' Nutt said. "I love his leadership and I love his decision-making.

"He has a strong arm and he's very, very accurate, so he has all the qualities you need to be a quarterback.''

Snead was a little dubious when Nutt was hired. Nutt's reputation has been built on running backs, not throwing the ball. When Nutt hired Kent Austin as offensive coordinator, Snead felt better.

Austin was a record-setting quarterback at Ole Miss in the 1980s and played 15 years in the wide-open Canadian Football League. He comes to Ole Miss fresh off coaching Saskatchewan to a Grey Cup trophy in his rookie year.

Austin's presence and a deep receiving corps should help maximize Snead's contributions.

So would a strong running game.

Four starters return in the offensive line, led by All-America tackle Michael Oher.

Cordera Eason inherits the lead tailback job but arriving freshman Enrique Davis is the man to watch. Davis originally signed with Auburn but spent last year at Hargrave Military Academy.

Nutt used receiver Dexter McCluster in a Darren McFadden-like "Wild Rebel" role in spring practice.

The defense wasn't very good last year. Eight starters return but don't look for all of them to keep their jobs. Tyrone Nix, the new coordinator, has his work cut out.

Peria Jerry is a big-time player at tackle. Greg Hardy is an All-SEC end but sometimes struggles to maintain his motivation.

At Arkansas, Nutt had a touch for getting players in the right spot to contribute. At Ole Miss he has to get the Rebels' attitude in the right spot as well.

"We've got a lot of hungry guys and a lot of hungry fans,'' he said. "But just because you've got new coaches and new names on the walls doesn't necessarily mean you're going to win.

"It's the guys, the guys out there blocking and tackling. That's what you're trying to get over to your team.''