Ole Miss v. Florida - Head to Head:

[IHateUGAlyDawgs]

The fourth-ranked Florida Gators (3-0, 1-0 SEC East) will be looking to avoid the upset bug Saturday when they play host to the Ole Miss Rebels (2-2, 0-1 SEC West) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (12:30 p.m., Raycom-TV). The Gators are heavily favored to win this game but Ole Miss can right a season that is off to a shaky start by pulling off the upset. Here is a breakdown of the two teams and what you can expect Saturday.

HISTORY:

Last weekend, Florida drew even with Tennessee in the all-time series at 19 -19. This weekend the Gators get yet another opportunity to even the historical score. Ole Miss leads the overall series 11-10-1. Florida has played the Rebels the fewest of any charter member of the Southeastern Conference. The two teams first met in 1926 with the Rebels winning 12-7 in Gainesville.

The Rebels will be competing for their 600th win. They currently own an overall record of 599-462-35 (.563). The last road win for Ole Miss against a ranked opponent was a 31-28 win over South Carolina in 2004. The last time the Rebels beat a top five opponent was way back in 1977 when Ole Miss defeated Notre Dame 20-13.

COACHING:

Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt is 0-3 against Florida. He last faced the Gators as the head coach at Arkansas in the 2006 Southeastern Conference Championship Game which was won by Florida 38-28.

Nutt led the Razorbacks to eight bowl berths in ten years as the head coach at Arkansas. He led the Hogs to three SEC Western Division titles --- 1998, 2002, and 2006. Overall, Nutt has posted a 77-50 record in SEC play.

The Gators are 15-1 under Florida head coach Urban Meyer in the month of September. Meyer has run off an impressive 34-8 record with a national championship and Southeastern Conference title under his belt in just three seasons at Florida. Meyer gets the edge in this match-up.

Edge: Florida

OLE MISS OFFENSE VS. FLORIDA DEFENSE:

Houston Nutt developed the likes of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones running behind a solid offensive line while at Arkansas. The Razorbacks led the Southeastern Conference in rushing during five (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007) of the ten years he was at the helm. He usually runs a typical 60/40 run/pass split and is doing so this year.

The Rebels return four starters on the offensive line, including All-American left tackle Michael Oher, who has 38 career starts. The 6-5, 318 senior was the subject of the Michael Lewis New York Times best seller “The Blind Side: The Evolution of the Game.” When I last spoke to Oher at SEC Media Days, he said that talks had been ongoing to make the book into a movie. And Oher is expected to be a high first round draft selection in the NFL Draft. Initially he announced that he would forego his senior season but instead opted to complete his eligibility at Ole Miss.

Senior left guard Darryl Harris (6-4, 300) is only making his ninth career start. Harris received a sixth year via medical redshirt Junior Reid Neely (6-6, 310) had 12 starts alongside Oher. He currently battles for the position. The right side of the Rebels offensive line is manned by senior guard Maurice Miller (6-4, 343) who has 19 starts for Ole Miss. Junior guard John Jerry (6-5, 350) who has amassed 22 starts. Both have played multiple positions. Junior center Deverin Geralds (6-2, 312) four starts for the Rebs.

This group has allowed only two sacks in four games. They have also paved the way for the Rebels running backs to average 180 yards per game, which is fifth best in the conference.

It will be extremely difficult to sack quarterback Jevan Snead (6-3, 215). Sure, the offensive line has played well. However, Snead has a quick release that helps his team avoid the loss in yardage. After getting off to a fast start against Memphis and Wake Forest with a 30-53 for 438 yards with six touchdowns and just one interception, Snead has faded. He completed just 25 of 48 for 406 yards and six interceptions against Samford and Vanderbilt. He threw four of those picks last weekend against Vandy.

Snead has a very good group of receivers to throw the ball to, including Shay Hodge, who hauled in seven receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown last season against Florida in Oxford. His performance against the Gators was the best ever for a Mississippi receiver in the series. Hodge is a solid athlete with above average quickness. He has three touchdowns on just 10 receptions this year.

Speedster Mike Wallace (6-0, 180) burned the Gators a year ago with a 77-yard touchdown in which he turned on the jets as he ran away from the Florida defense. Wallace has 11 catches for 17 yards per reception.

Meanwhile, Largo, Florida native Dexter McCluster (5-8, 165) will line up at receiver, running back, and quarterback in the “Wild Rebel” formation. McCluster leads the Rebels in receptions with 17 for 295 yards and a score. He also leads the Rebels with 8.2 average yards per rush.

Running backs Cordera Eason (43), Brandon Bolden (32), and Enrique Davis (25) have gotten the bulk of work for Nutt and the Rebels. Eason (5-10, 224) has a nice blend of power and speed. He is a capable blocker as well. Freshmen Bolden (5-11, 215) and Davis (6-1, 215) have size and speed to be feature backs in the near future.

Ole Miss has scored just 14 points in the third quarter this season. Ole Miss will try to run the football. That’s just Houston Nutt’s way. However, I expect Snead to stretch the Florida defense with sideline passes and a deep ball to see how Ahmad Black and Major Wright respond. They’ll also throw the slants and quick slants.

Lawrence Marsh, Matt Patchan, Terron Sanders, Justin Trattou and Jaye Howard have provided the Florida interior front with solid performances. Defensive end Jermaine Cunningham is a key but can he play at full speed after hyper-extending a knee against Tennessee last week? If Cunningham isn’t his normal self, Carlos Dunlap and Trattou will have to step up their production. I don’t expect a lot of sacks or quarterback pressures against the Rebels, especially against Oher. But, they can’t get knocked back off the line of scrimmage and give the Ole Miss backs any room to run.

Linebacker Brandon Spikes has been the Gators emotional leader and will have to play well this weekend. He has 21 tackles, including 2.5 sacks in the two games he has played. Outside linebacker A.J. Jones played well last week, but will face an even tougher test against a Rebels offensive squad that wants to run the football. I would expect them to go right at Jones and Dustin Doe. The play of Ryan Stamper has been outstanding and they’ll need his size and experience to counter the traps and counters runs by Ole Miss offensive coordinator Kent Austin.

The Florida secondary has to make a change. Janoris Jenkins has to get the start opposite Joe Haden this week. Wondy Pierre-Louis just hasn’t demonstrated the necessary improvement to keep his job. Jenkins play should have earned him a starting opportunity, and Urban Meyer has stated that the position will be open this week. Safeties Major Wright and Ahmad Black have been outstanding, which is a tribute to coach Chuck Heater. The Gators created turnovers against Hawaii with the play of Black and Wright. Can the Florida secondary force a struggling Snead to toss a couple their way on the road?

Edge: Florida

FLORIDA DEFENSE VS. OLE MISS OFFENSE:

Well, last week Percy Harvin returned full-time only to secure eight touches. I would think that to be increased substantially, to perhaps 16 touches. Florida introduced running back Emmanuel Moody, who had nine rushes, bringing his average per carry to 5.2 yards.

The Florida offensive line benefitted from the return of left guard Jim Tartt. The line opened holes for Moody, Chris Rainey and Tim Tebow. Their play will once again improve week-to-week. This week offensive line coach Steve Addazio said that they’re six to seven deep and still working to get deeper.

Tebow has thrown the ball well, completing 38 of 54 passes for 489 yards and five touchdowns. Louis Murphy and Aaron Hernandez are the leading receivers with eight and seven receptions respectively. I expect Hernandez to get open repeatedly this weekend.

Deonte Thompson should get some much needed work. He did not catch a pass against Tennessee.

The Rebels defense recorded 11 tackles for loss against the Commodores. Defensive tackle Peria Jerry received the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week award for his efforts against Vanderbilt last weekend. Jerry has six tackles, including 2.5 for loss. End Greg Hardy returned last week for his first action of the season after suffering an injury several weeks ago.

The linebacking crew features Ashlee Palmer and not much else. Furthermore, I’m unimpressed with the Rebels secondary, which has allowed 181 passing yards per game. Other than Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner, the Rebels just haven’t face the highest level of competition either.

The debate has raged on what is happening with the Florida offense. They have only had a Division-I low 171 plays. And they have done what was necessary to win. Don’t worry, the offense will be fine. In fact, the next two weeks present an excellent opportunity to work out a few things.

This isn’t a very good Ole Miss secondary. Florida needs to work on its passing game after Tebow threw just 14 passes against Hawaii and 15 last weekend. He has thrown just 64 passes on the season, lowest among SEC starters. Florida has run the ball 104 times. It’s time to flex those offensive passing game muscles. I’d be surprised if they didn’t test the Rebels secondary and mix things up a bit. Again, a quick start is necessary. It would also be beneficial to get John Brantley and Cam Newton into this game. It’s time to open things-up. Go after them early and often.

Big Edge: Florida

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Field position played an enormous role in special teams this past weekend. Once again, Florida punter Chas Henry has been outstanding. Return specialist Brandon James is one of the most explosive players in the nation and can swing the momentum at any time in a hurry. You have to wonder why teams continue to kick to him.

The Rebels have Marshay Green, who has already returned a kickoff for a score. Mike Wallace has returned a kickoff 98 yards for a score.

Edge: Florida

[efbart]

How bit this for a historical tidbit...in 2008 the University of Florida fielded the most talent on offense that had ever been assembled. Despite this fact, their best offensive performances of the season could only be described as average...more often than not they looked mediocre.

It is considered one the most astonishing feats by a coaching staff in the history of college football.

[IHateUGAlyDawgs]

ef...I concur.

I used to defend Mullen. I can do it no longer.

[radbag]

i think mullen/meyer are the masterminds behind the gators version of the spread offense

let's face it, the whole WORLD is copying their version...the pros are as well.

i should hope that this loss puts mullen/meyer back down to earth...