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Ole Miss Ranked No. 18 in AP Top 25 Preseason Poll
The Associated Press released its preseason Top 25 rankings ahead of the 2014 college football season this weekend and EIGHT Southeastern Conference teams made the list — including the Ole Miss Rebels.
Here’s how the SEC stacked up:
2. Alabama
9. Auburn
12. Georgia
13. LSU
18. Ole Miss
21. Texas A&M
24. Missouri
After successful back-to-back seasons, this is the first time Ole Miss is ranked since the 2010 AP preseason poll. By the way, the Florida State Seminoles are ranked No. 1.
Ole Miss fans should be optimistic looking ahead to the first season culminating in playoffs. Veteran quarterback Bo Wallace is back with a talented group of wide receivers and running backs led by backs I’Tavius Mathers, Jaylen Walton and Mark Dodson. While the receiving corps is in the talented hands of Laquon Treadwell, Vince Sanders, Quincy Adeboyejo and Cody Core.
This season’s headline: the defense is thought to be top in the conference thanks to defensive stalwarts Robert and Denzel Nkemdiche, C.J. Johnson, Deterrian Shackelford and Cody Prewitt.
This preseason glimpse gives reason to believe the Rebels will host multiple high-ranking matchups in Oxford this fall (i.e. Alabama on Oct. 4 and Auburn on Nov. 1).
It’s encouraging to also note that Ole Miss is ranked No. 19 in the USA Today Preseason Poll.
– Adam Brown, HottyToddy.com sports editor, adam.brown@hottytoddy.com