Phil, you keep posting this same old crap. While the victories over Florida, LSU, and Texas Tech were certainly encouraging, there are three main reasons Ole Miss fans are extrememly optimistic going into next year.

1) The talent- we've seen how much talent we really have (whether LSU fans want to believe it or not) and how many starters we have returning. Nutt also had a decent recruiting class last year, and an excellent one this year.

2) The offense- Ole Miss has a ton of weapons on Offense, and Kent Austin and Nutt respectively know how to use them. It ranks among the best in the SEC, and very balanced.

3) The defense- this group started out shaky last year, but by the end of the season, they had really grasped Nix's scheme. We should only be better on defense next year, and having Greg Hardy come back for his senior year is that extra shot in the arm. James Scott (a transfer from Ohio State last year) will be eligible to play this fall. He was a four star cornerback coming out of high school, and this should help solidify the secondary.

As an Ole Miss fan, I am not thinking that because we beat Florida and LSU this year, we can win the west next year. It is the reasons above that give us the confidence that we will compete for the west next year.

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by Tiger Phil

I see burnt orange everywhere

Member since Nov 2007

1585 posts

Posted on 2/12/09 at 9:25 am to DeuceisLoose

Hey Deuce,

Those are good points, and certainly reasons to for Ole Miss fans to be excited about football this year.

But the talent that you have on your team has to be validated by wins on the field. LSU has buttloads of talent, but could not translate that into wins last year.

And I'm posting the same old crap, because that crap is what I believe. I most certainly could be wrong. But it is what I believe.

I'm not attacking your program, calling your coach into question or doubting your ability to rise above your performances for the past 40+ years.

My point is that I don't believe that Ole Miss is as good as their record last year, and won't be as good as the expectations laid upon them this year.

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by Duke

Twin Lakes, CO

Member since Jan 2008

35609 posts

Posted on 2/12/09 at 11:54 am to Tiger Phil

quote:
But the talent that you have on your team has to be validated by wins on the field. LSU has buttloads of talent, but could not translate that into wins last year.

We watched our talent get translated into wins last year. LSU had quarterback issues and questions going into last year, Ole Miss doesn't. LSU had a lot of holes to fill at DB, Ole Miss doesn't. The only parallel is both lost a great DT.

quote:

My point is that I don't believe that Ole Miss is as good as their record last year, and won't be as good as the expectations laid upon them this year.

Why not? Beating Florida and Texas Tech last year were not small feats. Three losses between the two teams, and two of them came against Ole Miss. It at least says the group on the field can go toe to toe with the big boys. We also had some bad losses early on to teams we were obviously better than come the end of the season. You really think Wake Forest and Vanderbilt beat us at the end of the year? Doubtful. You got nothing but hope that Ole Miss won't be a good team next year.

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by Tiger Phil

I see burnt orange everywhere

Member since Nov 2007

1585 posts

Posted on 2/12/09 at 1:03 pm to Duke

quote:
We also had some bad losses early on to teams we were obviously better than come the end of the season.

If that's the case, why can't the opposite be true? That you had some good wins against teams that you weren't necessarily better than?

quote:
You got nothing but hope that Ole Miss won't be a good team next year.

No, I'm pretty sure Ole Miss will be good. I am looking forward to it, in point of fact.

But here are the critical things that Ole Miss lacks going into next year:

A proven record of continued success, both from this group of players, the head coach and the program as a whole.

2 ...

Report Post

Posted by Duke

Twin Lakes, CO

Member since Jan 2008

35609 posts

Posted on 2/12/09 at 1:15 pm to Tiger Phil

quote:
If that's the case, why can't the opposite be true? That you had some good wins against teams that you weren't necessarily better than?

Unlikely. The bad losses came early in the year as we were getting Snead's feet wet. The Rebels win at UF was playing over their heads. The difference in the team that played against Vandy and USC and the team that played LSU and Texas Tech was pretty big.

quote:

A proven record of continued success, both from this group of players, the head coach and the program as a whole.

That's the problem with this whole discussion. It's not objectively looking at the players on the team, but looking at the name on the helmet. It really doesn't matter that much. What matters is the coaching staff and the players there at this very moment. You could say the same thing for LSU before Saban got there, at least in terms of the 1990s. Then you got some talented players and a few great seasons and all of a sudden you have to expect LSU to be good because of that. Really...it's the talent and coaching there right now.

Plus Houston Nutt rarely has just done awful. His teams that are expected to be really good may not make the SEC Championship game, but they at least made bowls. Unless my memory is failing me. If so I'm blaming Michael Phelps for letting me think weed would make me a great swimmer like him.

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by sugatowng

Look at my bling Bitches

Member since Nov 2006

25331 posts

Posted on 2/12/09 at 1:25 pm to Duke

quote:
Plus Houston Nutt rarely has just done awful. His teams that are expected to be really good may not make the SEC Championship game, but they at least made bowls. Unless my memory is failing me. If so I'm blaming Michael Phelps for letting me think weed would make me a great swimmer like him.

Bowls are overrated...3 wins 5 coached losses, 1 Assist. Coach loss and 2 years of not making it...I don't think that is much to hang your hat on...

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by Billy Mays

Member since Jan 2009

25276 posts

Posted on 2/12/09 at 1:29 pm to Tiger Phil

Why do people always assume that Nutt @ Arkansas = Nutt @ Ole Miss?

It's not the same thing... circumstances are different.

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by Duke

Twin Lakes, CO

Member since Jan 2008

35609 posts

Posted on 2/12/09 at 1:31 pm to sugatowng

quote:
Bowls are overrated...3 wins 5 coached losses, 1 Assist. Coach loss and 2 years of not making it...I don't think that is much to hang your hat on...

The point I was making is bowls mean you didn't have an awful season. Plus after not going to a bowl in four seasons, you gain a new appreciation for going bowling.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by The Ramp

Baton Rouge, LA

Member since Jul 2004

12197 posts

Posted on 2/12/09 at 1:47 pm to Billy Mays