What a summer it will be!

As Ole Miss fans, we don't get too many summers like this one. Usually we are waiting to see if Lidney's put's us 5th or 6th in the SEC West. Rarely, we move up to 3rd.

Wow, have times changed or what? Top 10 in many preseason-preseason polls. Talk of SEC West champs and a re-match with Florida. It will finally be a pleasure (I think) to pick up the prediction magazines. I've even subscribed to ESPN the magazine in anticipation of all the positive articles that will be written.

Ok, so if you are just now starting to look for the stories, here is a little of what you've missed out on so far:

Newsday spoke with Mr. Snead.

Defense Shines in scrimmage

Ole Miss leaders put the pieces in place

2009 SEC preview

Mascot, nevermind

I just looked on the Rebel Shop's website and found tons of Col Reb stuff.  I guess this is just one of many. 

New mascot

Has Ole Miss finally decided to release a new mascot? This may be a stretch but I received an email from the official Rebel shop. The email was marketing the new Rebel Schedule Tee. On the Tee it has a Rebel Mascot and the mascots of the 12 universities that we play this year. This, if I am not mistaken, is the first time that Ole Miss has used a mascot since Col Reb.

Here is a picture of tee:

Any thoughts?

A note from the past

Recently I started scanning in old pictures and mementos to upload in a safe and secure place on the internet. You know, in case anything happens to the real ones.

I came across a letter from 1984 from an Ole Miss administrative person. I was 11 in 1984. As an assignment for a class I had to write a letter. I don't remember why. I decided to write to Ole Miss. I don't have the letter I wrote but I remember saying something to the effect that "I was so upset when we lost the game that I wanted to cry but instead I hit my sister." This letter was the response from Ole Miss.

I should look this guy up to see what he is doing now.

Scratch off a few more teams

Here are teams that need to schedule one or two out of conference games for 2009.

Update- A source inside Kansas State Athletics says that KSU will not play Ole Miss.

SEC West, the Big XII of 2009?

I was looking through my new SI when I found SI's top 10 for 2009. I was excited that Ole Miss is #6 and ranked the highest in my lifetime. But then I realized that the SEC owns almost 50% of the SI's Top 10. There are four SEC teams in the top 10. (Florida, Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU) What's even more amazing is that the SEC West has three of the four SEC teams in the Top 10. Is there another division or even conference that can match up with the SEC West?

We all know the hype around the Big XII South this year. The hype stopped when the Big XII South went 1-3 in post season. Everyone assumed the Big XII South was the best division in college football. Of course they were wrong. Let's up this time the pundits have it right!

What's next?

Here are a few things to get you through the football slow time:

(1) Basketball- Yes we lost three outstanding players to injury but we did beat Arkansas.

(2) Baseball- Baseball is just around the corner. This should be an exciting year with an upgraded stadium.

(3) Recruiting- How high will Ole Miss move up in rankings to finish off the season.

(4) Super Bowl- No Manning but watch just for fun.

(5) 2009 schedule- A 12th game with a possible big BCS opponent in the works. Should be interesting who we play

Early 2009 predictions

It's already started. Minutes after the National Championship game, pundits started the punditry. So now that the insanity has started where does Ole Miss land in all of the projections? Below are a couple. I'll post more when they become available.

Chicago Tribune:
1. Florida
2. Texas
3. Oklahoma State
4. Alabama
5. Oklahoma
6. USC
7. Ole Miss
8. Iowa
9.Penn State
10. Utah

Orlando Sentinel:
1. Florida
2. Oklahoma
3. USC
4. Texas
5. Oklahoma State
6. Ole Miss
7. Virginia Tech
8. Alabama
9. Ohio State
10. LSU

SI:
(1) Florida
(2) Texas
(3) USC
(4) Oklahoma
(5) Alabama
(6) Ole Miss
(7) Oklahoma State
(8) Utah
(9) LSU
(10) Virginia Tech

Both Herbstreet and Cowherd have us in their preseason Top 10.

Final Rankings #14, #15

Ole Miss finished the 2008 football season ranked #14 in the AP poll and #15 in the coaches poll. The Rebels enjoy their best ranking since Eli's last year in 03.

It feels good to be a Rebel

It's been a long time coming. We, Rebel fans, deserve to feel good. It's nice to walk into work this week wearing Ole Miss attire and be respected by all of these Ohio State fans. I am sure Rebels all over the country are feeling the same pride as I am.

I think these feelings will only get better over the next few years. I believe we will be a preseason Top 10 team next year. I also believe that we have an outstanding shot at winning the SEC west and making our first trip to the SEC championship game in Atlanta. Wow, wouldn't that take a big monkey off our backs!

Hotty Toddy Rebel nation, we deserve this!