Will Mississippi’s quartet of five-stars from the 2013 class bring the Rebels an SEC title in what is likely their final season this fall?

Last year’s rise to No. 2 nationally was likely this team’s best shot led by a senior quarterback and two All-Americans dotting the secondary, but Hugh Freeze’s squad in 2015 is comparable athletically to any other conference elite and believes they can be in the mix down the stretch.

Glancing at the crystal ball, here are five guesses at how the Rebels’ season will unfold in 2015:

5 predictions for Ole Miss in 2015

5. Three receivers will exceed 700 yards this season

Some combination of Laquon Treadwell, Evan Engram, Cody Core and Quincy Adeboyejo will combine for more 2,100 yards receiving this season, a luxury on offense considering the Rebels are breaking in a new quarterback. At full strength, Treadwell’s capable of leading the SEC in receiving with enough targets and Mackey watch list honoree Engram is one of college football’s top returning tight ends. That leaves Core, a senior field-stretcher who started 10 games last season and Adeboyejo, a speed option focused on a breakout campaign, to battle for the No. 3 spot.

4. Ole Miss will fail to have a 1,000-yard rusher for sixth straight year

Defenses figured out the Rebels’ zone read last fall, leading to Ole Miss finishing 10th in the SEC at 167.7 yards per game. Hugh Freeze’s pass-based spread offensive philosophy relies on quick scatbacks more so than between-the-tackle bulldozers. Mark Dodson and I’Tavius Mathers left the program leaving the rushing burden on Jaylen Walton, one of the SEC’s most versatile speedsters, and Jordan Wilkins. Walton’s durability could be a concern if he hits the 150-carry mark. The Rebels’ bread will be buttered in the passing game and likely a quarter of Walton’s total touches will come as a receiving threat.

3. Robert Nkemdiche puts up numbers to warrant defensive POTY buzz

For the most part, Nkemdiche receives the Jadeveon Clowney treatment in reference to his impact on gamedays. While Clowney accumulated his share of sacks and stops behind the line of scrimmage, his primary strength was forcing offenses out of their comfort zones and into double-teams as the league’s most disruptive force up front. Nkemdiche has done the same his first two seasons, but from a production standpoint, numbers have lacked (4 sacks in 24 career games). More of a run-stopper and scheme disorganizer than a pass-rush specialist, Nkemdiche’s quarterback hurries and sack totals will be noticeable before he bolts to the NFL.

2. The Rebels will rank near the top nationally in total defense

Defensive coordinator Dave Wommack has some concerns at linebacker where he’s been forced to move C.J. Johnson to the middle as a senior for depth reasons, but his defensive line and secondary units will be amongst the nation’s best. Defensive end Marquis Haynes is a star in the making after posting a team-best 7.5 sacks last fall and Nkemdiche along with senior Issac Gross’ talent has been well-noted. First downs will come at a premium against a secondary headlined by Tony Conner and Mike Hilton, the familiar faces at the back end following the exit of Senquez Golson and Cody Prewitt. Newcomer Tony Bridges should be an instant playmaker.

1. SEC games in October will decide Mississippi’s season

Forget about games against Alabama, LSU and Mississippi State. If the Rebels are going to challenge for a Western Division title this fall, winning all three SEC contests in October is a necessity … and it won’t be easy. A road trip to Gainesville on Oct. 3 is certainly favorable against a team expected to finish fourth or fifth in their own division, but the Rebels would need to be at their best when finishing up the month in Oxford against Texas A&M and at Auburn. At worst, Ole Miss would need to go 2-1 in those three games and even that might not be good enough to win the West considering the rest of one of the nation’s toughest schedules.