SEC Power Rankings: Alabama, Texas A&M, Florida, South Carolina and Georgia All in the Title Hunt

Nov 3, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back

(3) in the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Georgia won 37-10. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

9. Mississippi Rebels

Last Season: 7-6 (3-5)

Key Addition: Laquon Treadwell

Key Word: Expectations

Outlook:

An excellent recruiting class, a winning record, and a bowl win have people in Oxford feeling pretty giddy about their football team. Bo Wallace is back at quarterback, Donte Moncrief is still wide receiver, and the immensely talented running back Jeff Scott remains in the backfield. All of this only heightens the expectations more.

Are the expectations reasonable?

Ole Miss will play Texas, Alabama, Texas A&M, and LSU in the first seven weeks, and they will start the season on the road against a very solid Vanderbilt team. However, the last five weeks are decidedly easier and have six-straight home games from Oct. 12 to November 23, so the Rebels could still improve on the record from a season ago.

Building momentum is going to be tough, and the Rebels may be too beat up to reach the lofty goals they have for themselves.

Could.