On Location: 2010 AT&T Cotton Bowl

By BO MARCHIONTE

The University of Mississippi Rebels accomplished something only four other teams have managed to do in 74 years of Cotton Bowl play and that’s win back-to-back bowl games by defeating Oklahoma State 21-7. Coach Houston Nutt commented on it immediately in the post game press conference saying, “It’s hard to win back-to-back bowls. It’s very difficult.”

A game that was plagued with turnovers (twelve total) and saw both teams doing their fair share of trying to give the game away, it was Ole Miss who prevailed in front of the second largest Cotton Bowl crowd and the first ever at the new Cowboys Stadium with 77,928 in attendance. The feeling might have been the same if Coach Nutt was on the losing end when Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy said, “It’s hard to overcome giving one away. I think it’s tough to swallow. But, you know, we talked as a group in there. I’m not taking anything away from Ole Miss. Every time they made a mistake, we didn’t capitalize on it and take advantage of it”.

Even though both of these high-powered offenses ranked in the top 40 in scoring offense prior to today’s kickoff, the game will be remembered for the turnovers. Coach Nutt said, “It was ugly. I hate that (smiling). I hate the people in the country had to see that because we’re better than that. That infuriates you”.

With a game marred by dysfunctional quarterback play on both sides of the ball, it was Ole Miss senior running back Dexter McCluster (pictured) and now two-time Cotton Bowl MVP, who highlighted the day with 37 carries for 184 yards, along with five catches for 45 yards and two touchdowns. When asked if the heavy workload was a problem McCluster said, “I don’t have a problem with getting the ball that many times. Coach Nutt has the faith in me to take care of the ball. He knows I can make plays happen. I always dreamed about coming in and being a SEC running back”.

McCluster can definitely call himself a SEC running back, becoming the first player in conference history to rush for over 1,000 yards and catch over 500 receiving yards. Coach Nutt added, “To be the only player in the SEC to have over a thousand yards rushing and over 500 yards receiving, nobody, nobody else. Bo Jackson, I’m talking about great players in this league. He’s the only one. But this is why this is so special because this guy had done something. His heart is bigger than this stadium, I promise you”.

On te afternoon, OSU running back Keith Toston (pictured) had more touchdown passes than both teams signal callers combined, Cowboys quarterback Zac Robinson and Rebels quarterback Jevan Snead. It was that kind of day. It was as if each team was allowing the other to take the momentum. When asked if this was the most frustrating win he’s ever been involved with, Snead said, “I think it was. Obviously it was frustrating. I’m disappointed with the way that I played”. After a devastating hit, which led to his second interception, Snead came out for freshman quarterback Nathan Stanley, who grew up some 90 miles from Stillwater, Oklahoma in Tahlequah. Stanley replaced Snead with 11:32 in the second quarter.

Coach Nutt commented on Stanley coming in saying, “I was just trying to find something. Jevan wasn’t having his best game. He was turning it over. Sometimes you got to make a tough move. Nathan has got a good arm, made some good plays for us. As it got tighter, I just needed the most experience I had. I had to go back with Jevan”.

As bad as the offenses played, the defenses need to be given their due for forcing those turnovers. The defensive MVP of the 2010 Cotton Bowl was Oklahoma State senior linebacker Andre Sexton, who had ten tackles and two interceptions. Sexton expressed that, “It’s a great award. But it doesn’t really mean that much; we don’t come away with a win”.

Only three offensive touchdowns by two team’s that average 30 points per game during the season. It was a game of big hits and defensive stands with two on the goal line one by each team. It’s games that sometimes go as far away from the norm that make them special and this 2010 AT&T Cotton Bowl was just that.

Photos Courtesy of Dennis Hubbard

CFI Countdown: #13 Mississippi Rebels

2008 Record: 9-4 (SEC 5-3)
Bowl Game: Won Cotton Bowl vs. Texas Tech 47-34
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Stadium: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (60,580)
Head Coach: Houston Nutt
Overall: 120-74 (17th season)
@ Ole Miss 9-4 (2nd season)
Link to Ole Miss Football Page

In case you didn’t realize Houston Nutt knew how to coach…now you do. Nutt came over from Arkansas and took over an Ole Miss squad that was 14-32 since they won 10 games in 2003, including a 3-9 campaign in 2007. Under Nutt, they turned it around much quicker than anyone expected going 9-4 in 2008. If you are wondering what the fuss is about with the 2009 Rebels—they won their final six games of last season including a Cotton Bowl victory over Texas Tech, so there is cause for optimism. Oh, they were also the only team last year to knock off the eventual champion Florida Gators.

When the Rebels Have the Ball

Offensive Coordinator: Kent Austin (2nd season)
Scheme: Pro Style
Starters Returning: Six
Key Losses: OT Michael Oher, WR Mike Wallace, FB Jason Cook, OG Maurice Miller, LB Tony Fein

It’s no secret why things began to click for the Rebels last season—his name is Jevan Snead. The former Longhorn was a little rusty, throwing seven interceptions in their first six games, but once he got going he was tough to slow down. Snead has an NFL arm and is big time prospect. This is just his second season as a full-time starter at the college level so the best is yet to come, which is what has so many people excited about this Ole Miss squad. When Snead isn’t lined up behind center it’s because Coach Nutt is up to his old tricks, lining up wide out/running back Dexter McCluster at quarterback to run the “Wild Rebel” as he did with Darren McFadden back at Arkansas. McCluster is the quintessential all-purpose player having spent significant time at running back and receiver, in addition to dabbling at quarterback. While he didn’t complete a pass (five attempts), McCluster is tied with the most receptions among returning Rebels and is their leading returning rusher—he’s very dynamic with the football in his hands. The primary ball carrier this season figures to be sophomore Brandon Bolden who was impressive in the Cotton Bowl, with senior Cordera Eason providing relief if necessary in what is a deep backfield. Lining up outside along with McCluster is fellow senior Shay Hodge, who is sure-handed and knows how to get into the end zone. Center Daverin Geralds and tackle John Jerry—returning senior starters—should be two of the better linemen in the SEC, but the other spots are in question right now. Replacing a left tackle such as Michael Oher is easier said than done.

Top Pro Prospects: 1 QB Jevan Snead (JR), 2) OG John Jerry (SR), 3) OT Dexter McCluster (SR)

When the Other Team Has the Ball

Defensive Coordinator: Tyrone Nix (2nd season)
Scheme: 4-3/4-2-5
Starters Returning: Eight
Key Losses: DT Peria Jerry, LB Ashlee Palmer, S Jamarca Sanford

Like Oher, replacing a disruptive force like Peria Jerry at defensive tackle is going to be nearly impossible—guys like that just don’t grow on trees, even in SEC country. However, the Rebs do have a few things going for them on defense. They expect a bigger season from uber-talented defensive end Greg Hardy, and continued development from the likes of tackles Ted Laurent and Lawon Scott, as well as ends Marcus Tillman and Kentrall Lockett—four solid contributors from last year’s run. The wildcard is tackle Jerrell Powe, who to this point has been more myth than legend, but could be on the cusp of breaking out. At the next level of defense, one player sure to bust loose is WILL Patrick Trahan, who looked like a future All-SEC performer with the Auburn Tigers once upon a time. He has taken the long route—via Northwest Mississippi Community College—but he may get there yet. They return three of four DBs, but the way they struggled to stop the pass that may not be a good thing. Free safety Kendrick Lewis is solid, but the corners need to step up.

Top Pro Prospects: 1) DE Greg Hardy (SR), 2) DT Ted Laurent (JR), 3) FS Kendrick Lewis (SR)

The Schedule

The out of conference slate, which includes SE Louisiana, UAB, and Northern Arizona, is pretty close to creampuff city. The one game they shouldn’t overlook is the season opener against Memphis—even so it would be a pretty big upset if the Rebels were to lose that one. The reality is that playing a pair of FCS schools could end up hurting them in the long run. They don’t face any ranked teams on the road, but any road trip in the SEC can be tough—Vanderbilt, Auburn, South Carolina, and even in-state rival Mississippi St. can’t be overlooked. It does work out well for Nutt and company that West favorite Alabama and perennial power LSU both come to Dixieland. Those games will likely decide who plays for the SEC title.

Pivotal Point

It’s on the shoulders, or should we say arm, of Jevan Snead. As much as Houston Nutt has done a great job, and although they have plenty of speed on both sides of the ball and depth along the defensive line, it all comes down to the play of Snead. In Ole Miss’ wins, Snead threw 20 touchdowns to six interceptions. In their losses, his touchdowns dropped to six and interceptions rose to seven. Listen to opposing coaches speak about the Rebels and the first thing they mention is the quarterback—the kid is something special. In fact, some might not think it’s the craziest thing in the world if Snead ends up as the first-team signal caller in the SEC. Ironically, had Vince Young stayed in Texas for his senior year, Snead may have remained a Longhorn. But Young left early, and a red-shirt freshman named Colt McCoy took hold of the starting job and wasn’t going to let it go.

CFI Final Analysis

A year ago the Rebels entered the season quietly and were able to sneak up on people. What was impressive was how they played at Alabama (24-20 loss), at LSU (31-13 win) and in the Cotton Bowl versus 11-1 Texas Tech (47-34 win) even after people started to take notice. Now the spotlight is really on them—we’re talking magazine covers and top-five predictions. Mississippi is ready to take the next step; whether or not that means a trip to the SEC Championship game remains to be seen. It may be a stretch to say that a club which was 0-8 in SEC play just two years ago is supposed to surpass ‘Bama and the Bayou Bengals, but it’s impressive that people are even thinking it.


College Football Insiders Top 25 Countdown:
The Next 25 (26-50) Plus 18 Bowl Teams
#25 West Virginia Mounainteers
#24 Tennessee Volunteers
#23 Clemson Tigers
#22 Pittsburgh Panthers
#21 Michigan St. Spartans
#20 Utah Utes
#19 Oregon Ducks
#18 Florida St. Seminoles
#17 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
#16 Boise St. Broncos
#15 North Carolina Tar Heels
#14 Penn St. Nittany Lions

Photos Courtesy of SEC Sports Media