Rebels look to run wild on Hogs
Derek Oxford
Issue date: 10/24/08 Section: Sports
Ole Miss is a very different team from the one that didn't win a single Southeastern Conference game in 2007.
The Rebel team that Arkansas pasted 44-8 last season in Oxford is much improved.
It starts with Texas transplant Jevan Snead, who after realizing that the Longhorns' signal caller role was Colt McCoy's to lose, transferred to Ole Miss and sat out a year while waiting to assume the starting position.
So far, Snead has helped lead the Rebels to the No. 4 ranking in the SEC in total offense with 378.9 yards per game, and his 10 touchdown passes are tied for the lead in the conference.
If the season ended today that would be the best yards per game average since New York Giants' quarterback Eli Manning quarterbacked the offense back in 2003.
But Razorback fans will recognize some offensive formations that Ole Miss will likely come out in.
Nutt took the 'Wildcat' formation that morphed into the 'Wild Hog' after the departure of Gus Malzahn and is now utilizing it as the 'Wild Rebel.'
The coach wouldn't reveal how he would look to utilize it Saturday when asked by reporters in his weekly press conference Monday.
"I can't give you that," Nutt said. "You are trying to give out my game plan. We have people down here listening. There are some options there [with the 'Wild Rebel'], but just bare with us."
Ole Miss (3-4, 1-3 SEC) has righted the ship thus far, and stands with the same record that Arkansas brings into Saturday night's contest.
The three victories include an upset 31-30 victory over then No. 4 Florida in Gainesville.
The Rebels almost played spoiler again last week when they took No. 2 Alabama to the closing minutes in Tuscaloosa, but couldn't pull it out and fell 24-20.
"I was very proud of our effort," Nutt said of the Alabama game. "Very proud of how hard we played, especially in the second half."
On defense against the Crimson Tide, Ole Miss was looking to contain a high-octane Alabama offense that put up chunks of yardage, mainly on the ground, and 49 points on Arkansas back on Sept. 20.
The Rebel team that Arkansas pasted 44-8 last season in Oxford is much improved.
It starts with Texas transplant Jevan Snead, who after realizing that the Longhorns' signal caller role was Colt McCoy's to lose, transferred to Ole Miss and sat out a year while waiting to assume the starting position.
So far, Snead has helped lead the Rebels to the No. 4 ranking in the SEC in total offense with 378.9 yards per game, and his 10 touchdown passes are tied for the lead in the conference.
If the season ended today that would be the best yards per game average since New York Giants' quarterback Eli Manning quarterbacked the offense back in 2003.
But Razorback fans will recognize some offensive formations that Ole Miss will likely come out in.
Nutt took the 'Wildcat' formation that morphed into the 'Wild Hog' after the departure of Gus Malzahn and is now utilizing it as the 'Wild Rebel.'
The coach wouldn't reveal how he would look to utilize it Saturday when asked by reporters in his weekly press conference Monday.
"I can't give you that," Nutt said. "You are trying to give out my game plan. We have people down here listening. There are some options there [with the 'Wild Rebel'], but just bare with us."
Ole Miss (3-4, 1-3 SEC) has righted the ship thus far, and stands with the same record that Arkansas brings into Saturday night's contest.
The three victories include an upset 31-30 victory over then No. 4 Florida in Gainesville.
The Rebels almost played spoiler again last week when they took No. 2 Alabama to the closing minutes in Tuscaloosa, but couldn't pull it out and fell 24-20.
"I was very proud of our effort," Nutt said of the Alabama game. "Very proud of how hard we played, especially in the second half."
On defense against the Crimson Tide, Ole Miss was looking to contain a high-octane Alabama offense that put up chunks of yardage, mainly on the ground, and 49 points on Arkansas back on Sept. 20.
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