Sports - Colleges - Ole Miss

Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

Rebels’ victory only raises stakes at Jordan-Hare

Ole Miss arguably played its most complete game of the season Saturday, returning to the AP Top 25 with an impressive 30-17 victory over Arkansas at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

But all that does, in the estimation of second-year coach Houston Nutt, is raise the stakes for Saturday’s game against SEC West rival Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The No. 24 Rebels (5-2, 2-2 in the SEC) are looking for their third straight win since a disheartening 22-3 loss to second-ranked Alabama on Oct. 10.

“This next game is the biggest of the year,” Nutt said.

Ole Miss controlled the ball for more than 37 minutes against Arkansas, which helped Jevan Snead pass for a career-high 322 yards while Dexter McCluster finished with season-high totals for rushing yards (123) and receiving yards (137).

McCluster was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

“Dexter’s a special athlete and we have known that,” Nutt said. “This guy makes things happen. As long as he is healthy, you always want to try to get him the football.”

The Rebels face a struggling Auburn squad that got blown out Saturday night at LSU, losing 31-10.

Auburn (5-3, 2-3) has struggled with the passing game but first-year coach Gene Chizik says he’ll stick with quarterback Chris Todd against the Rebels.

Auburn’s offensive coordinator is Gus Malzahn, who spent one turbulent season with Nutt at Arkansas in 2005. Malzahn, who favors a no-huddle, fast-break offensive approach, came out of the high school ranks a few years ago.

“(Malzahn) had a lot of mismatches in high school,” Nutt said. “When you get to the college level, you realize there are two of three guys you are going to have to be concerned with. You have to be very concerned with protection, to give your quarterback a chance.”

Nutt is impressed with the improvement in his offensive line, particularly left tackle Bradley Sowell, who replaced an All-American in Michael Oher.

“Bradley Sowell has made the most improvement since Game One,” Nutt said.

“He has had a very tough position. He goes against the fastest athletes in the league. Everybody has improved (on the offensive line), and then we got (tight end) Gerald Harris and (fullback) Andy Hartmann back (from injuries), so the chemistry of that group has really taken off.”

Ole Miss is a 4-point favorite for Saturday’s game.