Ole Miss (4-5, 1-4 SEC) finally got back on the winning side of football after they defeated the Ragin’ Cajuns from Louisiana Lafayette. The Rebels pulled off a good defensive effort after giving up an early touchdown to the Cajuns. The offense also looked fluent before the injury to Jeremiah Masoli.

After the mild concussion to Masoli, Nathan Stanley entered the game and played well enough to pull off the victory for the Rebels. The running game, however, was the key to victory in the Rebels win, as all three Rebel running backs ran for many yards including two rushers going over 100 yards.

Ole Miss now travels to Knoxville, Tennessee, to take on the Tennessee Volunteers. The Volunteers (3-6, 0-5 SEC) have had their share of ups and downs this season. The quarterback position has been a problem of late, but with their dominating win over Memphis they may have found a stud in freshman quarterback Tyler Bray. With Bray’s performance against Memphis, look for him to get his second start of the season over Matt Simms.

This battle of the SEC’s to worst teams may be a high scoring game with a lot of action taking place. The defensive work of both teams needs to improve or the offenses will take over. Masoli should be back and fine to play for the Rebels. With the rushing attack and the high scoring offense the Rebels bring, look for this game to be a shoot out to the end. The struggle of the Rebels and Volunteers in the SEC has put these two teams on the back burner for weeks. However, look for a lot of points scored.

The Rebels have a chance to become bowl eligible in their last three games with their recent win over the Ragin Cajuns. Don’t look for the Rebels to lie down for any of these teams, but rather, expect a fight and a growl from the Rebel Black Bears.

Five Keys to Victory for the Rebels:

1. Run, Run, and Run Some More: The Rebels have really run the ball down some teams’ throats this season. With running backs Brandon Bolden, Enrique Davis, Rodney Scott and Jeff Scott there shouldn’t be any reason that the game plan should change. Run the ball to victory, Rebels.

2. DEFENSE: The young defense for the Rebels finished off the Ragin Cajuns last week in great fashion only giving up 14 points in three quarters. However, the defense has given up yards in the passing game to SEC teams this season. Greg McElroy, Cam Newton and Ryan Mallet passed for many yards against the struggling defense. Now, with the possibility of freshman Tyler Bray starting for Tennessee, the defense needs to stop the pass.

3. Stop The Opening Drive: The Rebels have had problems stopping teams on their opening drive this season. Louisiana Lafayette, Auburn, Kentucky to name a few have all scored points on their opening possessions this season. The defense needs to come up with a stop early and get points on the board.

4. Special Teams: Special teams for the Rebels have been shaky at best this season. The Rebels did get a punt return in the Fresno State game but haven’t really created a spark in the return game since. Hopefully, the Rebels can make some blocks and spring free the return man for some big yards.

5. Keep Your Eyes on the Prize: With the Rebels first win in four games, hopefully it started a spark for this team. With wins in the final three SEC games, we will improve to 7-5 and be bowl eligible. Keep your heads up and take it to the Volunteers!

Coach Houston Nutt takes on Cam Newton and the Auburn Tigers this weekend in Oxford. Just when you think Nutt has lost his ability to coach a football team and there is no light at the end of the tunnel, he gets you. When he is favored I would never bet on him – but it’s the times when he isn’t even thought about where he makes his money.

When a Houston Nutt-coached team is figured to make some noise, they get hammered – i.e. 2009 with Jevan Snead at quarterback.

Now, do I think Auburn will lose this game? No – and neither does the rest of the country for that matter. But when Coach Underdog’s back is against the wall, he pulls out a huge upset in a game that isn’t even considered a contender – see Florida 2008. When he has time to prepare and scheme a game for a time such as this, he has the ability to make it count.

This year, Ole Miss can really run the football with running backs Brandon Bolden, Jeff Scott, Rodney Scott and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. They are currently 20th in America in rushing offense. There is a struggle in the passing game, but the ground game proves they can move the football. They have played some close road games against big-time opponents this year in the West. The Rebels played Alabama tough and only lost by 13, and they played Arkansas tough through two rain delays. So, it’s not like they have been blown out of the water, and they get Auburn at home.

Brandon Bolden has been a pleasant surprise for the Rebels this year in Oxford. If Ole Miss figures to steal this one against Auburn, Bolden will have to play out of his mind this weekend – something he has shown he is capable of previously. Ole Miss will have to control the clock and keep the football in their possession, and they will also have to limit the running game for the Tigers – something Auburn’s opponents have not been able to do this year.

All of Auburn’s big wins have been at home – but the win at Mississippi State on the road is looking more attractive all the time since the Bulldogs are doing well this year.

Saturday will be a big day for the inhabitants of Oxford, you can bet the Grove will be slammed and the girls will have on their dresses, but their football team could write a story that could be talked about for a long time.

Does Houston Nutt pull an upset this weekend?

On Kentucky’s opening drive, they drove the length of the field to complete a 6-play, 80-yard drive for a touchdown capped off by 7-yard touchdown run by Derrick Locke. It looked like all Kentucky early.

Ole Miss countered with two touchdown runs by Brandon Bolden and Rodney Scott, and with an 8-yard touchdown pass by Jeremiah Masoli. Ole Miss led at halftime 21-17.

In the second half, the Rebels came out of the gates quickly and won the third quarter. With a touchdown pass from Masoli to Bolden along with a Masoli touchdown run, Ole Miss looked to put the game away.

However, coupled with the fact that Kentucky did not quit and Ole Miss’ inability to put an opponent way – Kentucky came marching back to make things very interesting at the end. Derrick Locke had another touchdown run and Chris Matthews had a touchdown catch to cut the lead to 42-35, and that is how the game ended.

Kentucky moved the football all day out-gaining the Rebels 424 to 301 in total yardage; however, the three turnovers were costly by the Wildcats, as Ole Miss scored each time Kentucky gave it away.

For Ole Miss – Jeremiah Masoli finished the day 9/17 for 90 yards and three touchdowns passing. He also ran for 43 yards and a touchdown. Running back Brandon Bolden had another good game, and he finished with 108 yards and one touchdown on 23 attempts.

For Kentucky – Mike Hartline finished with 300 yards passing and two touchdowns. Derrick Locke finished with 68 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. Randall Cobb finished with 108 yards on 6 catches with one touchdown. Chris Matthews finished with 59 yards receiving and one touchdown.

Kentucky will gear up for when they Auburn this weekend and Ole Miss has a bye week before playing Alabama.

Ole Miss opens the 2010 season against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks.  Ole Miss, which saw its record at 9-4 last year overall and 4-4 in the SEC, will try to replace its main offensive weapons this year in Oxford.  Here are five things you need to know about Ole Miss vs. Jacksonville State:

1.  Jeremiah Masoli has yet to be officially cleared to play in the opener. As we all know, Masoli transferred from defending Pac 10 champion Oregon this year upon being dismissed from the Duck’s team.  University of Mississippi sent a request for a waiver of a one-year residency requirement for a transfer student a few weeks ago to get Masoli eligible as quick as possible.  This waiver is usually granted if an athlete enrolls in a different graduate school program that was offered at the previous school.  It will be interesting to see if Masoli can get cleared to play in time for the opener and just how he will fair this year in a different colored uniform.  The worst that can happen will be if Masoli has to sit this year out and play next year.

2. The ever-evolving Wild Rebel will have its challenges this year. Houston Nutt pretty much coined the term “Wild Cat” as we know it while at Arkansas and it seems to be evolving every year to expand on its revolutionary offensive tendency to create mismatches.  The NFL even seems to be toying with its type.  The Wild Rebel features both a ground and an air attack on its’ resume.  With Dexter McCluster being gone, which Rebel will step up and make this system a weapon for Nutt once again?

3. With Jevan Snead foolishly opting out early for the draft and Dexter McCluster and Shay Hodge actually being drafted, the Rebels will have to replace their offensive attack.  Ole Miss currently has an opening at the running back position, and it has turned into a three-man race with Brandon Bolden, Enrique Davis, and Rodney Scott all vying for the open slot.  Jacksonville State’s rushing defense was ranked 66^th in Football Championship Subdivision last season.  The Rebels will find some peace in the run game, at least for this one.

4.  The opening at the quarterback position is figured to be a two-man rotation until one successfully separates them self from the rest.  Last year, Jevan Snead spearheaded the offensive attack with 20 interceptions.  The Rebels’ passing attack was ranked 57^th in the country at 218 yards per game, and Snead did not live up to the hype.  Snead had the attention much like Ryan Mallett is getting this year as far as passing quarterbacks.  The two quarter backs figured to be in the rotation this year are Nathan Stanley and Jeremiah Masoli, assuming Masoli will be cleared to play.

5.  The defensive unit is figured to be quick and disruptive.  In 2009, Ole Miss was ranked 21^st overall and 4^th in the conference in total defense.  It starts up front with defensive tackle Jerrell Powe and defensive end Kentrell Lockett.  A solid line-backing core will be the second level of defense behind the line.  The secondary has some holes, but are figured to be ready to go.  The defense should keep the Rebels in every game.