Arkansas vs. Ole Miss 2013 Opponent Preview

2012 Season 7-6 (3-5)

In Hugh Freeze's first year, Ole Miss stormed into the SEC West and came home with a winning record and a win in a January bowl game. Their first time since 2003 when Eli Manning played there (we're ignoring their dance with the devil in 2008 and 2009).

The Rebels didn't stun the world in 2012, but they did manage 3 wins over SEC teams.

2013 Season 5-3 (2-3)

Hugh Freeze has 2 likely wins left on the schedule hosting Arkansas and Troy over the next 2 weeks, but is on pace to finish around the same as last year give or take an Egg Bowl against Mississippi St.

Big talk followed the Rebels into a game at Alabama, but the Rebels were held scoreless just like the Hogs, and with three SEC losses, the Rebels will likely not challenge for the SEC west title. The schedule is favorable for the Rebels to bowl again for a 2nd straight year.

Offense

Ole Miss has had a very consistent season on Offense. If you ignore the outlier of playing against Alabama, they've had very few hickups moving the ball, including 27 points against LSU.

Ole Miss has been one of the better teams at not turning the ball over this season, which doesn't bode well for an Arkansas team looking to go on the road and win.

Ole Miss has a pretty balanced attack. They've run the ball 317 times this season and passed the ball 298 times. Bo Wallace leads the offense completing 62.7% of his passes and throwing 11 touchdowns to only 3 interceptions. He also leads the team in pink eye, which he claims to have received from his center, Evan Swindall... see if he blocks for you after blaming that on him.

Arkansas has a lot of different rushers to deal with, as 5 players (including Bo Wallace) have more than 100 yards rushing on the season.

Nine different Rebels have caught passes for touchdowns this season, but Arkansas won't have to deal with freshman TE Evan Engram as he's out for the season with an ankle injury.

Defense

For an Ole Miss Defense that ranked last in the SEC as recently as 2011, it must be nice for Rebel fans to enjoy a decent defense.

Brandon Allen (AJ Derby if Allen gets injured in the middle of a very promising opening drive again) will have to scan the field for #25 prior to throwing passes this Saturday. Cody Prewitt has four interceptions this season, but has yet to have a pick 6.

While Ole Miss has had to battle injuries on defense this season, they will have top freshman Robert Nkemdiche returning for the Arkansas game

The good news for Arkansas fans is the Ole Miss defense ranks near the bottom of the SEC in sacks. Hopefully that translates into good things for Arkansas.

Special Teams

Andrew Riftler has been a solid kicker all season for the rebels. They've had no issues in the punting game either.

Watch out for Jeff Scott on punt returns as he has their lone TD return on the season.