Ole Miss Rebels Football Tickets

Heading into 2004, Ole Miss was the only team in the SEC West to be bowl eligible for 7 straightyears but ironically they are the only SEC West team without a trip to the SEC Title game. Ole Miss1 last SEC Title was in 1963. From 1954-1971 Ole Miss went to17bowls including 9 appearances in either the Sugar or Cotton Bowl. From 1972 to 1996 they were in just 5 bowls with only one New Year's Day game. Scholarships were short when David Cutcliffe took over but he finally got the team to its full allotment in 2002. In '03, I said Ole Miss had their best team in over a decade and called for them to notch at least 9 wins. They went 10-3 led by QB Eli Manning winning the Cotton Bowl over Okla St. In 2004 it looked like a rebuilding year losing Manning and having just 4 starters back on defense. The team was also hit by the injury bug and went 4-7. Stunningly they opted to fire Coach Cutcliffe and I talked about them possibly being "Baylored" (see pg 309). As expected, Ole Miss suffered back-to-back losing years for the first time since 1987-'88 as they had just 12 starters back and 1 Splayers quit or were dismissed following the coaching change. The 3-8 record was their worst record since 1987. They even benefitted from Memphis losing their starting QB on the 3rd play of the game to notch one of their victories. In Orgeron's home opener, they took on a Wyoming team that finished just 4-7 and were dominated being outFD'd 18-10. One of their victories came over IAA Citadel and the other over an injury ravaged Kentucky team. Their 40-7 home loss to LSU was their worst home defeat since 1949 and only avoided the shutout by getting an 86 yard drive for a garbage TD. They were blown out 55-14 by rival Miss St in their finale. Their 10 returning starters are second fewest in the SEC. Despite all of that, this is clearly a much stronger team in 2006 and Orgeron has brought in a large group of VNT's. Despite having new starters, the backfield looks to be much improved and the offense should easily blow away last year's 13.5 ppg. While the entire D-line must be replaced, the back 7 look solid and they may have more athletic talent up front. They should come close to lastyear's solid 22.3 ppg allowed. This team will top last year's 3-win total and could flirt with bowl eligibility.

Ole Miss Rebels Football 2006 Schedule