A three-loss season at Ole Miss would be cause for celebration in most years. But this isn't most years.
The Rebels were a top-10 pick nationally and grouped with the likes of LSU and Alabama in the SEC West. That's heady stuff for a program that has never made the SEC championship game.
But the season hasn't matched the preseason. And that's not just unfortunate for Ole Miss, which is 6-3 overall but already has lost three conference games. It's also unfortunate for UT, which plays in Oxford on Saturday.
You have to know coach Houston Nutt's track record at Arkansas to appreciate that.
Nutt's teams usually are at their best when less is expected. For example, take UT's 1999 trip to Fayetteville, where one of its most talented teams was upended by the Razorbacks, who just a week earlier had lost to Ole Miss by 22 points.
Better to play Nutt's teams after great triumphs than disasters. The guy knows how to rally the troops. Ole Miss fans discovered as much last season, Nutt's first in Oxford.
The 2008 Rebels started out 3-4, with road trips to Arkansas and LSU still ahead. What came next was dramatic even by Nutt's standards. Ole Miss won its last five regular-season games, including the last three by a combined margin of 135-13.
Its Cotton Bowl performance reflected its regular season. After falling behind favored Texas Tech 14-0, the Rebels rolled to a 47-34 victory.
The finish fostered rare expectations for an Ole Miss team without a Manning at quarterback. Nutt's team didn't play up to them.
South Carolina was the first beneficiary. It caught the Rebels at just the right time - when they were unbeaten and ranked in the top five, though you would have never guessed it the way they sputtered against the Gamecocks in a 16-10 loss.
Auburn caught Ole Miss at the right time, too. The Rebels had won back-to-back games and seemingly righted an unsteady offense after being throttled by Alabama. So naturally, they got upset by an Auburn team that had lost three consecutive games.
Now, the top 10 is a fantasy, as is the SEC West title. Yet Nutt's team might be more dangerous than ever, particularly since the Vols have won three of their last four games and are challenging for a Jan. 1 bowl bid.
This match-up would have been more promising for the Vols if the Rebels were a week removed from a loss to Auburn, and all their grand possibilities were still in play.
Another concern for UT this Saturday can be summed up in two words: "big plays."
Ole Miss' offense has looked docile at times and incompetent at others. But it has stunning capabilities.
Just kick the ball to freshman Jesse Grandy. Or give Dexter McCluster too much space. Or spot Shay Hodge a step in your secondary. Or allow Jevan Snead too much time to throw.
Grandy, a freshman, ranks second in the SEC in kickoff returns. He has returned two kicks for touchdowns and is averaging 30 yards a return.
McCluster is a greater threat because he gets the ball more, a strategy that Ole Miss didn't employ until the South Carolina game had slipped away. McCluster has rushed for 473 yards and caught 27 passes for 352 yards. He had 309 of those rushing yards against Arkansas and Auburn, which tells you how Ole Miss' offense is leaning.
Hodge is averaging 16.3 yards on 45 pass receptions. He has 20 touchdowns in the last three seasons.
Snead, who was projected as a high first-round draft choice before the season, has struggled terribly behind a shaky offensive line. His struggles haven't obscured his talent. On any given play, he still can beat you with a deep pass. He's also one of the fastest quarterbacks UT has faced, although he usually stays in the pocket.
But the greater threat is Nutt's track record. His teams know how to spoil success - whether it's their own or somebody else's.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 76
borovol1956 writes:
First
KJVol writes:
The Rebels have taken on the personality of their coach - sometimes you feel like a Nutt, sometimes you don't.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
will probably be the biggest accomplishment of your life
Mpboldt writes:
I believe this staff will have the team ready for all challenges; not underestimating the Rebels. Remember, we seem to play better on the road; requiring more concentration and focus. Play sound, fundemental football, with few penalities and no turnovers and come home with a "W". Good Luck Vols!!!!
TommyJack writes:
Should be an innerstin game.
Rockytop98 writes:
This would be a GREAT step to being relevant again in not only the SEC but the national stage! GO VOLS!!
Cldvols1 writes:
Vols get a big SEC victory in route to a January bowl bid: Vols 31, Rebs 17 Go Vols!!!
jet writes:
Yep, characteristic of a Nutt, unpredictable. Fortunately, the Kiffins seem to be good at getting the team focused for the big games and their performance has become predictable. I'll go with the latter. GBO!!!!
rclarkfork#639958 writes:
Tenn can't give Snead all day to throw so expecting Monte to throw many different blitz packages together. I certainly expect the defense to come out fired up after the performance in the second half last week. Even though the damage was done against the second and third teams, I think the defensive coaches were pretty discouraged about the number of points Memphis put up. I'm expecting them to take it out on the Miss offense and even though Ole Miss has some big play makers, I'm expecting a convincing win here.
notoriousBIGorange writes:
Why do all Adams articles end like you have just run off the edge of the grand canyon??
He starts with a good premise and builds his story in a way that grabs the readers attention and then BAM! The ending comes like a brick wall on a foggy night. I've seen high school students with better writing skills. Until Adams is replaced, the KNS will continue to lose....readers and subscribers. KNS needs to do the "write" thing, fire Adams now, before it's too late.
halloffamebowler writes:
Get a life.If you don't like ,don't read.
creekroad writes:
Totally agree....Adams is a joke
EastTNvolfan writes:
The defense will be back to using the starters and they will be looking for attonement. I think we have one of the best prepared coaching staffs when it comes to game day. Does anyone have anything to comment about Nick's performance at QB last Saturday? Seemed nervous and jittery, but not bad after the first 3 and out series. Understandable.
TommyJack writes:
Beechin about Adams is as stale as the loper's comments.
xvolx writes:
The #4 rank sunk Ol Miss. They never earned that ranking and reading hype more than playing football caused their fall. Let's hope that they don't open their eyes until after we play them.
tmartin writes:
didnt Eli and company reach the sec championship game? pretty sure they did. do your homework, kns.
WytheVol writes:
His work with Crompton may just land him on an NFL practice squad next year. Confidence and attitude are amazing things when they finally align with a skill set. With the turnaround Crompton has had, who knows, we may actually see him taking reps on Sunday's someday. His perseverance is second to none!
tennesseebee writes:
"..no one will outwork us". -Lane Kiffin
Coach_Joe writes:
No, tmartin! Eli and company DID NOT make the SEC Championship game. Ole Miss is the only team in the West not to make it.
BoroVolFan writes:
Monte hasn't been out-schemed yet this year by an opposing pro-style offense, here's to believing Ole Miss wont be the first!
Go Vols!
Mr_Brownstone writes:
uh no they didn't and never have. looks like you are the one who should be doing the homework b4 spouting off.
TommyJack writes:
BB is seldom worng.
CA_vol writes:
This game is bigger than Bama and Fla in some respects. We go in there and kick their tails and there will be no doubt at any level that the Vols are for real. We lose, then ??? I am backing J Crompton and Kiffin and the team. GO VOLS!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Mama Nutt ain't too shabby either!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I would never bet a fellow Vol fan AGAINST the Vols, but I just don't see such a beatdown happening. This is easily UT's biggest challenge since Bama. I think the Vols will be ready to play and that they will win, but I would be ecstatic if it is by as much as double-digits.
lomas98 writes:
This game will determine if TN and Kiffin rise above all of the other teams and finish 4th in the SEC or possibly 3rd depending on LSU. A loss puts TN back to the middle of the pack with a bunch of other teams fighting for the same bowl game. We knew Kiffin would finish behind FL and Bama, but to finish above everyone else would be a good start to his college coaching career. Snead must get pressured to win this game. They have struggled this year but when he gets time he can be a pretty good QB. SC and Bama showed how to disrupt him.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I did, too. Even his INT was only about a foot or two from being a TD. I feel a lot better about our QB situation next year for two main reasons. First, there is JC's vastly improved play. Then there is Nick looking as good as he did. Both are evidence of the coaching ability of this staff. This ensures that whoever our QB turns out to be will likely be ready to play and win.
There is, however, a warning for us in OM's struggles this season. Though a bit erratic, Snead is a great talent at QB. At least some of his struggles this year are due to inadequate O-line play. As I said earlier, we should be decent at QB next year, but our next O-line is a HUGE question mark right now.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
There are several QBs playing in the NFL right now who never had as good a year as JC is having. Mark Sanchez only started one year at USC, and he was not a whiz in every game, but he is starting for the Jets this season. Tom Brady didn't start over half-a-dozen games in his whole career at Michigan. Matt Cassel had a pretty good year with New England last year, and he NEVER started a college game. So I don't think it is AT ALL far-fetched to see JC in the NFL next year, and perhaps even playing if he gets with the right team.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
The kid's name is McCluster; I can only hope we don't see it spelled out too often in the post-game summary! Give that guy a crack and he is GONE! With all their troubles, I still think our best defense will be to keep their offense off the field, so there will be a huge burden on our offense to grind out the yards, burn the clock, and score points. We don't want to give OM any more chances on offense than we have to.
pax_americana writes:
Dude,
Perhaps doing a little research before opening your mouth and sticking your foot in it would be wise.
Neither Eli's team nor any other Ole Miss team has ever played in the SEC title game.
tenndave writes:
Does Ole Miss have an offensive line like ALA or ar runner like Ingram? NO! Does their line protect the quarterback better than ALA or FLA? NO!! Can Snead pass better than TEBOW? Maybe but probably not! Can he run better than TEBOW? NO! Can Ole Miss score bunches of points on TENNESSEE and MONTE KIFFIN? No one has so why should they! Is Crompton the hottest quarterback in the SEC right now? Yes! Can Hardesty and Brown gain yds against good D's? YES! I know I am a TN fan but how can oddsmakers not see this line of thinking too?
TN by 14
Volunatic writes:
No, Ole Miss never reached the SEC Championship game, even when Eli was there. Do YOUR homework.
WytheVol writes:
Very true. His mental and emotional capacity is quite high given his previous circumstances. I'm proud to call myself a Crompton fan today. I sure hope the right team does pick him and he can be mentioned with the likes of some of the above mentioned names.
Hopefully he can finish the season very strong and continue to erase the bad memories most people still carry of him.
mjaichele writes:
Hotty Toddies..........Give it up for the Nutman..........
innashville writes:
I sure hope that it does not come down to a FG from any where past the 10 yard line for us to win.
WytheVol writes:
I have to agree w/the kicking comment.. By my count, the kicking game has cost us two games: Bama and Auburn (2 blocked FG's at Bama and a missed FG and extra point in a 4 pt loss to Auburn). Granted, there were other opportunities in both games to win those games, and we failed in those other aspects to capitalize. But, with a good kicking game, the outlook should have been different in those two.
Not making excuses for our losses, as I do believe the coaches and the team have learned from EVERY game. But rather, just some points that could be argued.
WytheVol writes:
"But, with a good kicking game, the OUTLOOK should have been different in those two."
That should be outcome....
innashville writes:
It's not just JC playing better. The receivers are running their routes and he is putting the ball where it's supposed to be. When they catch the ball it opens up more of the offense for CLK. I see an entirely different team than we had in the first 4 games.
In years past, we all complained about getting some of the best players but them not being coached up the way they should have been. Our new staff is coaching and you can see the improvement week by week.
We just need to go take care of business in the "O Bowl". GBO.
VolsFanInNC writes:
Ole Miss tied LSU for the West lead in '03, but LSU had the tie-break.
WytheVol writes:
"It's not just JC playing better."
You said it best right there. A patched up O-Line. The same recievers as last year for the most part. Haredesty (nuff said). Full backs and tight ends catching TD passes. And the entire defense playing better than last year (for the most part) in a new scheme under Monte.
No doubt the entire coaching staff is coaching and teaching these guys how to continually improve. In the last 4 games, the decision making of the entire team (including the plug-in Mike backs every game) has just completely turned around. We just talk so much about Crompton because it is so blatantly obvious he is a different guy under that #8 jersey.
I've said it before, I think the most important aspect of CLK has been his ability to see the intangible effects of each decision. He stuck with Crompton when virtually everyone with a football pulse said he was crazy. Then he criticized the UT offense that scored 31 points on USCe when most fans where elated with our ability to score. He has a seemingly unreal ability to keep these players on earth, never letting them get too high or too low.
smoky50 writes:
Momma's a hottie too! ;)
VolunteerLifer writes:
No one owes you explanations for anything.
VolunteerLifer writes:
Don't forget, Sports Fans, that these two coaches have a bit of history. In 2005, USC crushed Arkansas 70-17 in LA. The next year, USC thrashed Arkansas again, 50-14 in Fayetteville. Arkansas HC was Houston Nutt. USC Offensive Coordinator was Lane Kiffin. Those two games played a role in Arkansas firing Nutt. I'm sure Nutt would like some revenge, and given the talent levels of both of these two teams now vs. projected talent levels in the future, this may be his only chance. I would consider Nutt armed and dangerous this Saturday.
WytheVol writes:
I'd have to agree with you here. But surely he knows that we have the opportunity to wrap up the #4 spot in the SEC (maybe even #3 if LSU lays an egg), by finishing second in the East and knocking another good team out of a respectable bowl game.
I'd say that garners attention from many around the college football world. As I recall, UT was picked to finish 5th or lower in the SEC East...
If I were any other team right now, UT would NOT be the team I want to play. I'd say that part matters to a lot of people.
Liberal_Vol writes:
I predict Crompton will be drafted and not for some practice squad.
VolunteerLifer writes:
Amen, brother. Consider that we were 3-4 after the bama game. IF (big if) we finish 8-4, that will raise alot of eyebrows. But, lets face it -no one else but Volunteers really care how well we're doing. In fact, alot of them are fearful and jealous, and want to rain on our parade. I think you have a great point that Tennessee is a team no one wants to face right now. I actually am beginning to pity whoever we face in a bowl game.
Liberal_Vol writes:
Second that.
Volunatic writes:
She's okay, but she looks too much like her dad, IMO. She would be a lot better looking if she resembled her mom more. (Same goes for Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley's daughter, bless her heart.)
Bloodrunzorange writes:
Everybody knows Nutt can't coach 4 quarters! Sickem' Lane! Go Vols and kicke Hotty Toddy Butt!
asleep#212036 writes:
Not just a great step, but a critical one. Our other road games, at Florida and Alabama, we played well and lost gallantly to clearly superior talent. Wonderful. But Ole Miss is neither of those teams. We are playing better than they are and most folks feel like we should win. There is no opportunity here for what the interlopers call a "moral victory". A loss here in many ways undoes so much of what this team has accomplished over the past few weeks. I think we'll win but the downside of a loss here is so much more than against the two BCS-bound teams we played earlier. Go Vols!!!
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