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Steve’s Summer Size-Up: New Mexico State Aggies
Throughout the summer, we will be analyzing each of Ole Miss’ 12 opponents for the 2015 season and sizing up how difficult the game will be in relationship to the strength of schedule.
We will take the teams in order of meeting date in an attempt to better inform our fanbase what to realistically anticipate going into this new season.
Opponent No. 6: New Mexico State Aggies, October 10
- Sun Belt Conference member
- 2014 record: 2-10; 1-7 in conference
- Difficulty Ranking: 11th
- Head coach: Doug Martin (third year) who also serves as Offensive Coordinator
- Colors: Crimson and White
- Enrollment: 27,000
- Aggie Memorial Stadium capacity: 30,343
- 2014 SEC Results: Lost to LSU 63-7
Forecast: The Aggies ended last season with 10 straight losses and should not be an opponent to put fear in many teams especially ours! They open the season September 5 with Florida which will be a game of interest for Rebel fans as we must face both. The week before coming to Oxford the Aggies will face rival New Mexico. We could not be catching them better on the schedule. Key players to look for on offense are Larry Rose III, the primary running back who collected 1,100 yards this past season, wide receiver Teldrick Morgan and quarterbacks Nick Jeanty and Tyler Rogers with 23 interceptions in 2014. The offensive line is very good unlike the defensive line. The Aggie pass defense is exceptional only because no one has to throw against them when opponents are rushing for 310 yards per game. The defense is small and is expected to blitz more this year to make up for this weakness. Their special teams are not good either. Pistol Pete, their mascot, will have a difficult time getting the Johnny Rebs in his sights.
Conclusion: Ole Miss could easily score in the 70s unless Freeze calls off the dogs early. Expect the Rebels to be favorites by 35 or more and play the entire squad in the process. This contest wraps up the first half of the season with the second half much more trying. New Mexico State, located in Las Cruces, is a member of the WAC except for football. They ended 2014 losing to Arkansas state 68-35! They are currently picked to finish ninth of the 11 Sun Belt teams.
Our Score Prediction: Ole Miss 63, New Mexico State 10 (6-0; 3-0 in SEC)
Next Week: at Memphis Tigers
Previous Weeks
Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.
| Sat, Aug 31 |  | vs Furman | W, 76-0 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | vs Middle Tennessee | W, 52-3 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | @ Wake Forest | W, 40-6 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | vs Georgia Southern | W, 52-13 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Kentucky | L, 20-17 |
| Sat, Oct 5 |  | @ South Carolina | W, 27-3 |
| Sat, Oct 12 |  | vs LSU | L, 29-26 (2 OT) |
| Sat, Oct 26 |  | vs Oklahoma | W, 26-14 |
| Sat, Nov 2 |  | @ Arkansas | W, 63-35 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Georgia | W, 28-10 |
| Sat, Nov 23 |  | @ Florida | L, 24-17 |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | vs Mississippi State | W, 26-14 |
| Thu, Jan 2 |  | vs Duke (Gator Bowl) | 6:30 PM • ESPN |
| Mon, Nov 4 |  | vs Long Island University | W, 90-60 |
| Fri, Nov 8 |  | vs Grambling | W, 66-64 |
| Tue, Nov 12 |  | vs South Alabama | W, 64-54 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Colorado State | W, 84-69 |
| Thu, Nov 21 |  | vs Oral Roberts | L, 100-68 |
| Thu, Nov 28 |  | vs BYU | W, 96-85 OT |
| Fri, Nov 29 |  | vs 13 Purdue | L, 80-78 |
| Tue, Dec 3 |  | @ Louisville | W, 86-63 |
| Sat, Dec 7 |  | vs Lindenwood | W, 86-53 |
| Sat, Dec 14 |  | vs Southern Miss | W, 77-46 |
| Tue, Dec 17 |  | vs Southern | W, 74-61 |
| Sat, Dec 21 |  | vs Queens University | W, 80-62 |
| Sat, Dec 28 |  | @ Memphis | L, 87-70 |
| Sat, Jan 4 |  | vs Georgia | 11:00 AM SECN |
| Wed, Jan 8 |  | @ 23 Arkansas | 6:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Jan 11 |  | vs LSU | 5:00 PM SECN |
| Tue, Jan 14 |  | @ 5 Alabama | 6:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Jan 18 |  | @ 17 Mississippi State | 5:00 PM TBA |
| Wed, Jan 22 |  | vs 13 Texas A&M | 8:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Jan 25 |  | @ Missouri | 5:00 PM SECN |
| Wed, Jan 29 |  | vs Texas | 8:00 PM ESPN2 |
| Sat, Feb 1 |  | vs 2 Auburn | 3:00 PM TBA |
| Tue, Feb 4 |  | vs 10 Kentucky | 6:00 PM ESPN |
| Sat, Feb 8 | | @ LSU | 7:30 PM SECN |
| Wed, Feb 12 |  | @ South Carolina | 6:00 PM SECN |
| Sat, Feb 15 | | vs 17 Mississippi State | 5:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Feb 22 |  | @ Vanderbilt | 2:30 PM SECN |
| Wed, Feb 26 | | @ 2 Auburn | 6:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Mar 1 |  | vs 12 Oklahoma | 1:00 PM TBA |
| Wed, Mar 5 |  | vs 1 Tennessee | 8:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Mar 8 |  | @ 6 Florida | 5:00 PM SECN |