Complete disaster!

I don't know what's worse, a last second loss to Wake or the self inflicted loss tonight. Six turnovers? A goal line stand. Unbelievable. If we plan on going to a bowl game we are going to have to stop the self beating!

It will be a long week.

Blog Swap:

I posed a few questions to Josh of the Vandy Blog: Vanderbilt Sports Line.

(1) How far will Vandy go this year?

Vandy has a shot at winning seven games without beating Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, or Wake Forest. The trick is that we would have to win three SEC games on the road (Ole Miss, Miss. St., and Kentucky). If we can win those three games, and perhaps pull off an upset of one of those four teams, we could be looking at an 8-4 season, which would be a major accomplishment in the eyes of all Commodore fans.

(2) Being 3-0 is the excitement around Nashville at an all time high?

We’ve been 3-0 at the beginning of the season before, but this time there’s a different feel to it. Winning a huge game on national TV last two Thursdays ago really set a different tone for this Vanderbilt. The fans are filling the seats, the team is playing tough late and holding leads, and the players have more confidence than ever. It is a great time to be a Commodore football fan thus far.

(3) What do you see as being the critical matchup this weekend?

Vanderbilt’s front 4 against Houston Nutt’s running attack, specifically the “Wild Rebel.” Vanderbilt has held opponents to 98 yards in their first three games. That stat however, is very misleading as non of the teams we’ve faced so far really committed to running the football.

(4) Do Vany fans see Ole Miss as a major Rival?

I think so. Vanderbilt and Ole Miss are kindred spirits in that both teams have historically been overlooked and looked past by the rest of the SEC (save Mississippi State and perhaps Kentucky). There’s also a rivalry in that both schools think they have the best looking women in the SEC.

(5) What does Vandy need to do in order to win this weekend?

The running game will be key. If Vanderbilt can stop the run, it makes Ole Miss’ offense much more one dimensional. With a quarterback with Jevan Sneed that’s not necessarily the end of the world for Ole Miss, but it would certainly allow Vanderbilt to dictate the tempo and the pace of play. On the other side of the ball, if Vanderbilt can continue to run the ball successfully, it will open up our playbook and allow Chris Nickson to do some things through the air. Vanderbilt’s wide receiving corps has been decimated by injuries early this season. While there is hope that Andrew Diomande, a transfer from Clemson who has been slowed with a toe injury, might make his debut Saturday, the unit is still not 100%. If Vanderbilt can effectively run the ball, it will allow the receivers to get in the game, and hopefully put the Rebel defense back on its heels.

(6) What's your prediction?

True to form, this game will be close. I also think it could be an offensive slug fest. As always, who wins the battle of the turnovers will be key. Still, Vanderbilt homers that we are, we’ve got to go with the Commies. Vanderbilt 27 - Ole Miss 24.

Games to watch this weekend

Here are games of interest for Rebel fans this weekend:

South Alabama v. Western KY : January 5th 8:05pm- Why? South Alabama has won 7 in a row. Western KY has an RPI of 115 and are 8-4. The Rebels' RPI will improve if S. Alabama keeps winning.

Central Florida v. Sam Houston State: January 5th 3:00pm- Why? Sam Houston St. has an RPI of 29 and Central Florida is 145. A victory at Sam Houston State will significantly boost Central Florida's RPI.

DePaul v. Providence: January 5th 8:00PM(ESPN Classic): Providence has a high RPI of 25. A DePaul victory will help boost the Rebels' RPI.

LeSalle @ Florida State: January 5th 7:00PM- Why? Florida State has an RPI of 35. A LeSalle Victory increases the Rebels' RPI.

Clemson v. North Carolina: January 6th 7:30pm(Fox Sports)- Why? North Carolina is one of the 6 unbeatens left. They also have an RPI of 2. A Clemson Victory will tremendously aid the Rebels.

Kansas v. Boston College: January 5th 12:00PM (ESPN)- Why? Kansas is unbeaten. Let's loose a few more of those.

Washington State v. Washington: January 5th 10:00PM- Why? Washington State is undefeated and playing at their instate rival. Will it be enough to remove them from the unbeaten list? Probably not, but we can hope so.

UMass v. Vandy: January 5th 4:00PM(ESPN 360)- Why? Will Vandy finally fall from the ranks of the unbeatens?

St. Mary's v. Texas: January 5th 6:00PM(Fox Sports/ ESPN Full Court)- Why? No 24 St. Mary has a chance to knock off #14 Texas and help the Rebels move up.

A look back: Sept. 15th / Vandy

Sept. 15

Ole Miss has played on four Sept. 15th's. (1-2-1). In 1973, Ole Miss traveled to Columbia, MO. The Rebels lost to the Tigers 0-17. In 1979, Ole Miss started the season with a victory over Memphis State in Memphis by a score of 38-34. Ole Miss tied Arkansas in 1984, 14-14, in Little Rock. Finally in 1990, Ole Miss lost to Auburn in Jackson, 14-20.

Here is a look at those seasons:

1973-

Coaches: Kinard, Vaught

Record: 6-5

Notable Wins: Tennessee (Jackson) 28-18

1979-

Coach:Sloan

Record:4-7

Notable Wins: Tennessee(Jackson) 44-20

1984-

Coach: Brewer

Record:4-6-1

Notable Wins: None

1990-

Coach: Brewer

Record: 9-3

Notable Wins: Arkansas (Little Rock) 21-17 / Georgia (Athens) 28-12/ LSU (Baton Rouge) 19-10

Vandy:

Despite the fact that Ole Miss leads the series with Vandy, the Vandy v. Ole Miss game has become an exciting, nail biting experience. The most memorable Ole Miss Vandy game came on Oct 28, 1989 in Oxford. Chuck Mullins was severely injured and later died from a massive hit in that game.

Some other memorable Ole Miss /Vandy games:

• 1990- Ole Miss 14 Vandy 13 (Nashville)


• 1991- Vandy 30 Ole Miss 27 (Oxford)


• 1999- Vandy37 Ole Miss 34 (Oxford) (OT)


• 2002- Ole Miss 45 Vandy 38 (Oxford)


• 2003- Ole Miss 24 Vandy 21(Nashville)


• 2004- Ole Miss 26 Vandy 23 (Oxford)

Late to the Party

After a hot and humid day in the Grove and a 34-7 score in the 3rd quarter, I was ready to head for the exit. I am glad I didn't.

This lost boils down to a poor spot by the officials, a fumble in the second quarter and a couple of bad calls. I am not taking anything away from Missouri. They have a great QB and he runs the West Coast offense superbly. They remind me of Ole Miss in 2003. In order for them to win they must outscore their opponents.

It was nice to see a productive offense. We moved the ball well. It was nice to see the offensive line show up. I was very pleased that the team didn't quit like 15,000 or so fans in the 3rd quarter. (Like I wanted to.)If our offense can move the ball like we did in the second half and we catch a few breaks, I feel we have a great chance to go bowling again this year.

Now it's on to Vandy. Vandy runs the west coast offense. Their QB was hurt yesterday and I haven't heard if he will be back or not. But Vandy does not run this offense like Daniels and Missouri. Vandy is a key game this year. I feel we must win this game in order to win at least six.

I am heading back to Ohio. The drive will be a bit easier than I thought sitting in the stands in the first few minutes of the 3rd quarter.

Are you Ready?

It's Football Eve. We've been waiting a long time for tomorrow and it's almost here. The possibilities, the what if's, the chest pounding and the expectations will soon be replaced with reality.

There has been a lot of discussion on the message boards on how the Rebels will do this year. Many feel that with our tough schedule we will yet again be bowless at season end. Others, myself included ,see us as being a bit underrated. Will this be the year we win 6 and head back to Shreveport? I say YES.

Win 6, against who, you ask. Well let me tell you.

We will beat Memphis, Vandy, Louisiana Tech, Northwestern St & Miss. State. We will also beat at least one of the following teams at home: Missouri, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas or yes even LSU.

That's my Football Eve Prediction.

**Disclaimer: I have the write to change my prediction if and when we don't win 6 this year.

Ole Miss fans talk about the Vandy game.

What do Ole Miss fans think about Vandy and our upcoming game? I asked a few questions to Ole Miss fans. Here is how they responded:

(1)What are your predictions on our game?
Vandy 28 OM 27 They were nearly a giant killer last year and have the offense returning. Our back seven on defense will still be on the learning curve for this one. --sampath

Probably Vandy by @ 6pts. Hard to say until we know what the rebel offense looks like.--PiedmontRebel

OM will win by a touchdown or more--JDell

Vandy wins.--GoodOReb

We should win, as usual...but game will be tough, as usual.--FirstDownOleMiss We win 24-17 in ANOTHER close game. They always give us fits.--BlueMountainRebel Vandy is going to be extremely tough this year, and honestly I think they'll be favored over us coming into the game. Many Ole Miss fans have trouble understanding that Vandy is not the same pushover Vandy they've been for the past 25 years. They're actually a fairly talented and decently coached bunch, especially early in the season before depth becomes an issue.Last year, they out gained us about 400-175 roughly without their starting QB. Rory Johnson's effort and the 5 turnovers were the only reason we were able to win that game. Last I checked, Rory is gone, and there is a good chance we'll actually see their starting QB this year. They actually return more of their starters than we do too. If you look at them as just another football team and take the Vandy name off their jerseys, you'd see a team that is going to give us fits on September 15. We'll be doing good to get out of Nashville with a win. Now go ahead and trash me for saying it, but they're not going to just roll over because they are Vandy.I'll put it this way. If Alabama had more than doubled our yardage output with their back up QB last year, and they lost only because they turned it over 5 times, you wouldn't see too many Ole Miss fans picking us to win this year against their starter, because we would expect Bama to not give the game away this year, especially if they returned more starters than we did. But because of the name on the jersey, most Ole Miss fans think it will be a game we can chalk up as a win fairly easily.--GroveReb84 28 -20 REBELS--MidTownReb

(2) Are you planning to make the trip to Nashville?
YES!!!--BlueMountainRebel

Yes-- GoodOReb

maybe, it would be a good time to take my son to visit VU (for future consideration)--JDel

(3) What are your overall thoughts on the Vandy campus and stadium?

I haven't been up there in quite some time so I don't have any observations.--SamPath

Vandy has a great campus (highly underrated among SEC schools), but the stadium is a little small by SEC standards.--PiedmontRebel

only know what I've read, and I think their stadium is outdated, but the campus is pretty--Jdel

I like the setting of the campus. Stadium needs updating.--GoodOReb

I have no idea. This will be my first trip. Any suggestions??? --BlueMountainRebel

I like Vandy...stadium not very nice at all...but it has an old time feel to it.--FirstDownOleMiss

(4) What do you respect about Vandy?

I think they always get the maximum from the talent they have. They lose games because of depth issues primarily. --SamPath

The classiness of the fanbase. And the fact that despite being a perennial SEC doormat, they're never a pushover on the field.--PiedmontRebel

their academics--JDel

Academics. Also, enjoy how the crowd gets into basketball games. Lots of fun!--GoodOReb

Original member with loads of history...just none of it recent. I really like their football coach. He is a good one. Their sports programs are well rounded imo.--FirstDownOleMiss Their ability to have great teams without a true athletic department.--BlueMountainRebel Their Academics --MidTownReb

(5) What do you dislike most about Vandy?

They love to come to our site to talk smack before we play...not sure why....but overall...I have a positive impression about vandy and their athletic program.--FirstDownOleMiss

We get someone hurt EVERY DAMN GAME we play them!-- BlueMountainRebel

Some of their fans have somehow convinced themselves that they beat Ole Miss every other year. We have won 8 of the past 10 in the series, 16 of the past 20, and lead the overall series 46-33-2, with the majority of their wins being in the pre-Vaught era (before 1947). --MidTownReb

Too many serious (season-ending) injuries for some reason.--GoodOReb

Historically, OM players have received significantly serious injuries in this matchup, e.g., Chucky Mullins, Doug Zeigler, Duece, etc.; can't understand why--JDel

The fact that they're the only school in the SEC with ZERO commitment to winning in football.--PiedmontRebel

We often get a significant injury in these games.--SamPath

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Vandy fans talk about Ole Miss v. Vandy game.

I asked a few questions to Vandy fans about Ole Miss and our upcoming game. The one thing that stands out the most to me is how much they dislike Coach O.
(1)What are your predictions on our game?
Vandy 24 - Ole Miss 10 --CrazyVandyFan

I doubt Vandy beats OM by 14. No matter how good or bad either team is, this game is decided by double digit points only on rare occasions. --DallasDore

We get revenge for last year's game. I think we handle Ole Miss rather easily this year.--DontslamtheDores

Vandy wins easily 31-17--Vandy 420

Vanderbilt doesn't screw itself over, Nickson plays the whole game, and we win by 10+ points. --GoDores2005

(2) What are your strengths and weaknesses this year?
Strengths: LBs, OL, WR. Weaknesses: depth at DL--DontSlamtheDores

Strengths: WR, QB, OL, LB, Depth at RB Weaknesses: Depth at DL, Secondary(? might not be)--Vandy420

Strengths: depth at WR, 5 seniors on the Oline, lots of returning starters. Weaknesses- depth on dline, inexperience in secondary, special teams.--GoDores2005

Strengths are WR, LB, and OL. Our maybes are QB, DB, and RB and our weaknesses are DL and depth. Kicking game is another ?, could be very good, but not sure. If Nickson at QB has a good year, VU will shock some people with how good we are.--CrazyVandyFan

(3) What do you respect about Ole Miss?
The Grove and hot chicks!--CrazyVandyFan

Really stretching here... the grove I guess.--GoDores2005

Ole Miss is the only college in the US that grows pot for research. Tried to get the cab driver to take us by there when we went in 2004 but he wouldn't go close to the place. The Grove. The girls. --Vandy420

Wellll...I do respect the education my daughter got at Ole Miss. She's a very successful CPA in Nashville.--DontSlamtheDores

(4) What do you dislike most about Ole Miss?
What I dislike...is the fact your coach drags his wife around by her hair, and he continues to recruit players that have no business going to college.--DontSlamtheDores

Coach O ripped his shirt off okay 'nuff said. Ole Miss was my second favorite overall program in the SEC. Until O is gone I've lost any respect for them. --TommyCrokett

Even though they are pretty bad they still think they are going to win it all every year, arrogance. Also, the way they sign 35 players but only 20 qualify every year. Why recruit a player that can't even read?--Vandy420

Coach O, Coach O's recruiting tactics, the whole Jerrell Powe situation... basically anything involving Coach O.--GoDores2005

I sincerely hope they keep Orgeron for a long time, too, but I don't think he'd be able to keep the entire board of trust bound & gagged for too long without being discovered....d Orgeron is the single worst coach in the conference. I even think Croom is better. I can't wait until week 3 to be reminded what a deer-in-the-headlights look is like. --DallasDore

The fanbase percieves they are a better football program than they truly are. This may be the case with most schools, but Ole Miss fans take it to the extreme because they were good 4 decades ago. Just don't get it. PS-I hope you keep Orgeron for a long time. --CrazyVandyFan

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