Scouting the Ole Miss Rebels

Last year

The Rebels went 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the SEC. Ole Miss lost five games by a touchdown or less including a 23-20 loss at No. 9 LSU, a 14-9 loss to Georgia and a 23-17 loss to Auburn.

Last week

Ole Miss lost 31-17 at Vanderbilt. Ole Miss lost starting quarterback Seth Adams to an injured shoulder and Brent Schaeffer came on to throw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace, but it wasn't enough.

Tradition

The Rebels have won six SEC titles, but none since 1963. Ole Miss has appeared in 31 bowl games, but none since appearing in the 2003 Cotton Bowl.

Ole Miss' top 5 NFL products

1. Archie Manning (QB, 1968-70): Manning enjoyed a 14-year NFL career with the New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings and Houston Oilers. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection. His 2,011 completions rank 17th in NFL history.

2. Deuce McAllister (RB, 1997-2000): Has become one of the NFL's most productive running backs since the Saints selected him 23rd overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. Is the first Saint to rush for more than 1,000 yards in three straight years.

3. Eli Manning (QB, 2000-03): Manning is in his fourth season as quarterback for the New York Giants. Manning was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft and led the Giants to the 2005 NFC East title.

4. Wesley Walls (TE-DE, 1985-88): Walls, who retired in 2004, made five NFL Pro Bowls and is considered one of the best tight ends in NFL history. Retired in 2004 after recording 450 catches for 5,291 yards and 54 touchdowns in his career.

5. Freddie Joe Nunn (DE, 1981-84): A first-round draft pick by the St. Louis Cardinals, Nunn played both defensive end and linebacker in the NFL. Played in 157 career games and recorded 67 sacks.

Recruiting rank

Ranked 31st in the country by Scout.com. Most highly rated player is junior college transfer A.J. Jackson, a 6-foot-5 receiver. Jackson was rated as the No. 2 JUCO player in the country by SuperPrep.

How Ole Miss can win

The Rebels enter this game as 21-point underdogs. Ole Miss must force Florida into some early turnovers. The young Gators are hitting the road for the first time this season. Quarterback Tim Tebow threw an interception that was returned 96 yards for a touchdown by Tennessee's Eric Berry last week. Ole Miss must also keep Florida's offense off the field by pounding the ball with All-SEC running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Worry about this guy

Senior running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Green-Ellis is a first-team preseason All-SEC selection and one of the most talented backs in the conference. Green-Ellis is third in the SEC in rushing with 371 yards on 77 carries. Green-Ellis rushed for 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago.

Coachspeak

"They are really fast. They play sound. They are averaging 55 points a game and only giving up 46 yards rushing, so we have our work cut out for us. I know it's going to be a tremendous atmosphere. I know our guys are going to be up to play a great game against Florida."

— Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron

Contact Brandon Zimmerman at 352-374-5051 or zimmerb@gvillesun.com.