45.6 F
Oxford

What a Difference a Year Makes for Hopeful Rebels

Senior wideout Vince Sanders / Photo by Amelia Camurati
Senior wideout Vince Sanders / Photo by Amelia Camurati

Commentary by Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo, HottyToddy.com sports contributor
I know that we’re on the verge of football season when my phone begins to ring off the hook either asking for tickets to games or posting my favorite question: “How are the Rebels going to do this year?”
For all the advice I’ve given away free, I’m sure I have made many of my friends and family a few dollars on the Vegas lines. If all else fails, at least I could have a lucrative career as a bookie (just kidding.).
As a football analyst most sports fans expect you to have the magic formula and predict what’s to come. Let me let you in on a little secret. Most analysts, such as myself, can speculate and throw a few statistics your way, but it’s really a fugazi as the Italians like to say. It’s no more real than we make it out to be.
So what really can we expect from the Rebels this season? I don’t like to give my readers false hope based on statistics or probabilities. Another thing I won’t do is sit and compare what we don’t have to what we do have as a means to say just how it’s going to be either.
Here’s my initial breakdown as we head into the opener. There is something to be said when Ole Miss is climbing the ranks in pre-season polls, but Rebel fans don’t get two starry-eyed just yet over that No. 18 spot this week because we have a long way to go.
2012-01-15-12.36.26
The Rebels have one of the hardest-hitting defenses in the nation.

However, last season proved to be the second year of a successful Freeze era with the Rebels having the most wins in four years. You know Coach Freeze and the rest of the gang are looking to top that record and 2014 could be the best chance for the Rebels to do that. It’s hard to believe that two seasons later, the Rebels are more than just the hype that was centered around the infamous 2013 recruiting class that put Ole Miss back on the map.
In 2014, it looks like the Rebels will finally get to see the fruits of 2013 flourish — but of course strong recruiting will do that for you. We have come along way from that 2-10 season when Hugh Freeze took over in 2011.
This season’s schedule seems to favor of the Rebels with four of the first seven games in Oxford. Despite back-to-back home games for Ole Miss last season, the tough road schedule clearly turned out to be more of foe than a friend. Though physically you could see the attributes of a strong group of players, fatigue began to wear on every aspect of the Rebels offensive and defensive forces. At times we seemed unable to execute and close the games we needed last season — remember Auburn?
Coach Freeze has admitted that depth issues and fatigue may have contributed to the wear and tear on his boys. This year Rebel Nation can be assured that depth is improved everywhere except, perhaps, the offensive line. Conditioning will certainly not be the death of the Rebels chances this year for national glory. Some of the changes Coach Freeze may be considering are altering his weekly schedule — whether that means changing practice times or taking Sundays off all together. If the Rebels hope to be more than hype they will need to hang with physically gifted and deep squads like the Tide, Auburn and LSU until the final whistle.
Robert Nkemdiche  Photo by Seph Anderson / HottyToddy.com
Robert Nkemdiche
Photo by Seph Anderson / HottyToddy.com

Well, someone has finally decided to schedule Boise State in a non-conference game and the Broncos open up things for the Rebels in less than nine days in the Georgia dome. No denying that Ole Miss is an overall stronger and better team than season’s previously and a stouter football team than the blue-turfers from Boise. My pundit colleagues predict the Rebels will start the season 4-0 before they host Saban’s boys in Oxford. The Crimson Tide will open October play for the Rebels.
While the Rebels will enjoy a few non-conference home games before Alabama, that contest will lead into a tough SEC gauntlet traveling to Texas A&M, hosting Tennessee, traveling to LSU and hosting Auburn. Those five games, beginning with Alabama, will determine just how good Ole Miss could be this season.
Here is what we are working with in 2014, and it’s not to shabby. The Rebels return 16 starters from last year. It’s apparent that Bo Wallace is back in business. Bo will look to make things happen with sophomore wide receiver Laquon Treadwell to get that Rebel offense on the board this season.
Photo by Peyton Spear
Grove Bowl action proved the Rebels can move the ball. Photo by Peyton Spear

Defenses in the SEC are always going to be elite. The Rebels are looking to be amongst the best in 2014. Robert Nkemdiche, 2013 Freshman All-American, is going to be a force on the gridiron for the Rebel D. Let’s not forget the Ole Miss secondary, which is athletic enough to win one-on-one match-ups and allow the imposing Ole Miss defensive line to tear up some quarterbacks and open up field position opportunities for the Rebel playbook to cash in.
No matter who we play in the formidable SEC, we’re always going to have to bring our A-Game. The SEC is always loaded with talent. I believe the key for the Rebels is to condition themselves for the long haul and recharge when necessary. Don’t forget, they’re striving to be a contender — not just for a conference title, but for selection as one of the new playoff system participants.

leeann_2Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo is a HottyToddy.com contributor, veteran SEC sports journalist and Brown University graduate. She loves good cigars, good games and a smooth glass of bourbon — not necessarily in that order.

Most Popular

Recent Comments

scamasdscamith on News Watch Ole Miss
Frances Phillips on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Grace Hudditon on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Millie Johnston on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Binary options + Bitcoin = $ 1643 per week: https://8000-usd-per-day.blogspot.com.tr?b=46 on Beta Upsilon Chi: A Christian Brotherhood
Jay Mitchell on Reflections: The Square
Terry Wilcox SFCV USA RET on Oxford's Five Guys Announces Opening Date
Stephanie on Throwback Summer
organized religion is mans downfall on VP of Palmer Home Devotes Life to Finding Homes for Children
Paige Williams on Boyer: Best 10 Books of 2018
Keith mansel on Cleveland On Medgar Evans
Debbie Nader McManus on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: The Last of His Kind
Richard Burns on A William Faulkner Sighting
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Ruby Begonia on Family Catching Rebel Fever
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
jeff the busy eater on Cooking With Kimme: Baked Brie
Travis Yarborough on Reflections: The Square
BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH on Oxford is About to Receive a Sweet Treat
baby travel systems australia on Heaton: 8 Southern Ways to Heckle in SEC Baseball
Rajka Radenkovich on Eating Oxford: Restaurant Watch
Richard Burns on Reflections: The Square
Guillermo Perez Arguello on Mississippi Quote Of The Day
A Friend with a Heavy Heart on Remembering Dr. Stacy Davidson
Harold M. "Hal" Frost, Ph.D. on UM Physical Acoustics Research Center Turns 30
Educated Citizen on Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
Debbie Crenshaw on Trump’s Tough Road Ahead
Treadway Strickland on Wicker Looks Ahead to New Congress
Tony Ryals on parking
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
C. Scott Fischer on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Sylvia Williams on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Will Patterson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Rick Henderson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
George L Price on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
on
Morgan Shands on Cleveland: On Ed Reed
Richard McGraw on Cleveland: On Cissye Gallagher
Branan Southerland on Gameday RV Parking at HottyToddy.com
Tom and Randa Baddley on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
26 years and continuously learning on Ole Miss Puts History In Context With Plaque
a Paterson on Beyond Barton v. Barnett
Phil Higginbotham on ‘Unpublished’ by Shane Brown
Bettina Willie@www.yahoo.com.102Martinez St.Batesville,Ms.38606 on Bomb Threat: South Panola High School Evacuated This Morning
Anita M Fellenz, (Emilly Hoffman's CA grandmother on Ole Miss Spirit Groups Rank High in National Finals
Marilyn Moore Hughes on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
Jaqundacotten@gmail williams on HottyToddy Hometown: Hollandale, Mississippi
Finney moore on Can Ole Miss Grow Too Big?
diane faulkner cawlley on Oxford’s Olden Days: Miss Annie’s Yard
Phil Higginbotham on ‘November 24’ by Shane Brown
Maralyn Bullion on Neely-Dorsey: Hog Killing Time
Beth Carr on A Letter To Mom
Becky on A Letter To Mom
Marilyn Tinnnin on A Letter To Mom
Roger ulmer on UM Takes Down State Flag
Chris Pool on UM Takes Down State Flag
TampaRebel on UM Takes Down State Flag
david smith on UM Takes Down State Flag
Boyd Harris on UM Takes Down State Flag
Jim (Herc @ UM) on Cleveland: Fall Vacations
Robert Hollingsworth on Rebels on the Road: Memphis Eateries
David McCullough on Shepard Leaves Ole Miss Football
Gayle G. Henry on Meet Your 2015 Miss Ole Miss
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Neely-Dorsey: Elvis Presley’s Big Homecoming
Jennifer Mooneyham on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Wes McIngvale on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
BARRY MCCAMMON on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
Laughing out Loud on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Dr.Bill Priester on Cleveland: On Bob Priester
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
paulette holmes langbecker on Cofield on Oxford – Rising Ole Miss Rookie
Ruth Shipp Yarbrough on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Karllen Smith on ‘Rilee’ by Shane Brown
Jean Baker Pinion on ‘The Cool Pad’ by Shane Brown
Janet Hollingsworth (Cavanaugh) on John Cofield on Oxford: A Beacon
Proud Mississippi Voter on Gunn Calls for Change in Mississippi Flag
Deloris Brown-Thompson on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Sue Ellen Parker Stubbs on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Karen fowler on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Don't Go to Law School on Four Legal Rebels Rising in the Real World
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
Joanne and Mark Wilkinson on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Mary Ellen (Dring) Gamble on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Cyndy Carroll on Filming it Up in Mississippi
Dottie Dewberry on Top 10 Secret Southern Sayings
Brother Everett Childers on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Mark McElreath on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Bill Wilkes, UM '57, '58, '63 on A Letter from Chancellor Dan Jones
Sandra Caffey Neal on Mississippi Has Proud Irish Heritage
Teresa Enyeart, and Terry Enyeat on Death of Ole Miss Grad, U.S. Vet Stuns Rebel Nation
P. D. Fyke on Wells: Steelhead Run
Johnny Neumann on Freeze Staying with Rebels
Maralyn Bullion on On Cooking Southern: Chess Pie
Kaye Bryant on Henry: E. for Congress
charles Eichorn on Hotty Tamales, Gosh Almighty
Jack of All Trades on Roll Over Bear Bryant
w nadler on Roll Over Bear Bryant
Stacey Berryhill on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
John Appleton on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Charlotte Lamb on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Two True Mississippi Icons
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Jeanette Berryhill Wells on HottyToddy Hometown: Senatobia, Mississippi
Tire of the same ole news on 3 "Must Eat" Breakfast Spots in Oxford
gonna be a rebelution on Walking Rebel Fans Back Off the Ledge
Nora Jaccaud on Rickshaws in Oxford
Martha Marshall on Educating the Delta — Or Not
Nita McVeigh on 'I'm So Oxford' Goes Viral
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on How a Visit to the Magnolia State Can Inspire You
Charlie Fowler Jr. on Prawns? In the Mississippi Delta?
Martha Marshall on A Salute to 37 Years of Sparky
Sylvia Hartness Williams on Oxford Approves Diversity Resolution
Jerry Greenfield on Wine Tip: Problem Corks
Cheryl Obrentz on I Won the Lottery! Now What?
Bnogas on Food for the Soul
Barbeque Memphis on History of Tennessee Barbecue
Josephine Bass on The Delta and the Civil War
Nicolas Morrison on The Walking Man
Pete Williams on Blog: MPACT’s Future
Laurie Triplette on On Cooking Southern: Fall Veggies
Harvey Faust on The Kream Kup of the Krop
StarReb on The Hoka
Scott Whodatty Keetereaux Keet on Hip Hop — Yo or No, What’s Your Call
Johnathan Doeman on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
Andy McWilliams on The Warden & The Chief
Kathryn McElroy on Think Like A Writer
Claire Duff Sullivan on Alert Dogs Give Diabetics Peace of Mind
Jesse Yancy on The Hoka
Jennifer Thompson Walker on Ole Miss, Gameday From The Eyes of a Freshman
HottyToddy.com