With 16 returning starters including nine on the offensive side of the ball, the Rebels are hoping to bounce back into the SEC West battle.
A strong year from running backs Brandon Bolden (976 yards, 17 TD) and Jeff Scott will take the pressure off quarterback Randall Mackey. Enrique Davis and Devin Thomas provide true depth in the running game.
If Mackey struggles, Nutt will turn to junior college transfer Zack Stoudt or West Virginia transfer Barry Brunetti.
An experienced offensive line, including starters Bradley Sowell and Bobby Massie, will help make the offense more successful.
Rebel receivers Melvin Harris and Ja-Mes Logan may lead the way for Mackey’s passes but they have not proven themselves yet.
The defensive line is led by Kentrell Lockett and Wayne Dorsey along with redshirt freshmen Bryon Bennett and Carlton Martin.
The linebackers will be led by Mike Marry, Clarence Jackson and Joel Kight as well as incoming freshman C.J. Johnson.
The secondary will be anchored by junior college transfers Wesley Pendleton and Ivan Nicholas along with Charles Sawyer and Marcus Temple.
Junior Tyler Campbell is the reigning NCAA punting champion at 46.37 yards per punt last year, while junior place kicker Bryson Rose should keep his job to start the season.
Ole Miss opens the season with home games against Brigham Young (7-6) and Southern Illinois (5-6) before traveling to Vanderbilt (2-10).
The Rebels could be 3-0 but that will quickly change with a trip to Fresno State (8-5) sandwiched between home games against Georgia (6-7) and Alabama (10-3).
The home date against Arkansas (10-3) is followed by road trips to Auburn (14-0) and Kentucky (6-7).
Ole Miss closes the regular home season with games against Louisiana Tech (5-7) and LSU (11-2) before the trip to rival Mississippi State (9-4).
Another sub-par season is very possible with the Rebels battling in the tough SEC West and a third-straight loss to the hated Bulldogs could cost Nutt his job.
NEXT: Arkansas
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