FACTS & STATS: Site: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (60,580) -- Oxford, Mississippi. Television: None. Home Record: Memphis 0-0, Ole Miss 0-0. Away Record: Memphis 0-0, Ole Miss 0-0. Neutral Record: Memphis 0-0, Ole Miss 0-0. Conference Record: Memphis 0-0, Ole Miss 0-0. Series Record: Ole Miss leads, 45-10-2.

GAME NOTES: The Houston Nutt era will begin at Ole Miss this Saturday evening when the Rebels host the Memphis Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Nutt was previously the head coach at Arkansas for 10 seasons before taking the job in Oxford. Ole Miss turned to Nutt after posting a horrendous 14-32 ledger from 2004 to 2007 and that includes the team's 3-9 mark in 2007. Ole Miss has won 11 of its last 12 season-openers and ironically the last three wins all came against Memphis. As for the Tigers, they are coming off a mediocre 7-6 season, which was capped off with an embarrassing, 44-27 setback to Florida Atlantic in the New Orleans Bowl. The Tigers have not had much success in season- openers, posting a meager 36-53-3 record. After they battle the Rebels, the Tigers will head home to take on the Rice Owls. Ole Miss has a commanding lead in the all-time series, posting a 45-10-2 edge over Memphis, and that includes 12 wins in the last 16 meetings.

The Tigers lost some bite coming into this season, as the team had to replace its quarterback and top running back from a year ago. Arkelon Hall will be under center for the team's opener, but he should have a tough time filling the cleats of Martin Hankins, who threw for over 3,000 yards last year. Fortunately Hall will have the majority of the targets from a year ago, including playmaker Carlos Singleton. Singleton averaged 15.0 ypc and also had a team-high 11 touchdowns. Duke Calhoun should also play a huge role once again, as the wide out led the squad with 62 receptions and 890 yards. As for the running back situation, the Tigers will turn to Curtis Steele to carry the load. The 6-0, 185-pound Steele is a juco transfer that redshirted last year and he has the type of speed to give Memphis the big play back it desperately needs.

Defensively the Tigers cannot be much worse when compared to last season. Memphis surrendered 32.2 ppg in 2007 and was abused on the ground, allowing 232.0 rushing ypg. That number should decrease drastically as the team is returning three starters up front, including Clint McDonald. McDonald amassed 55 tackles, 9.5 TFLs and four sacks last season and the 6-3, 265-pound senior is also the leader of the defense. At linebacker the Tigers will have the luxury of a healthy Greg Jackson, who was injured last year just two games into the season. The biggest area of concern for Memphis over the past few seasons has been in the secondary, but with the return of Brandon Patterson the Tigers might finally be able to make significant improvements. Patterson collected 77 tackles last season and headlines the group in the secondary.

The Rebels were not impressive offensively this past season and considering the team will have a new, inexperienced quarterback to start the year, expect more trouble in the early stages of 2008. Jevan Snead will make his first start as the QB for Ole Miss, but the sophomore is a transfer from Texas where he threw for 371 yards while under center for the Longhorns. Fortunately Snead will have the top two receivers from last season back in the mix. Mike Wallace only caught 38 passes this past season, but the senior averaged a whopping 18.8 ypc and finished with six touchdowns. Cordera Eason and a collection of talented freshmen will lead the ground attack, hoping to take some pressure off Snead. The Rebels finished 104th nationally in scoring a year ago and 91st in total offense. It would certainly be surprising if improvement wasn't made to those numbers.

It was not pretty for the Ole Miss defense last year, as the squad was pounded for 199 rushing yards and also surrendered 28.5 ppg. The problems against the run should continue, especially with the loss of defensive end Greg Hardy. Hardy suffered a right foot injury and will be out anywhere from six to eight weeks. Hardy racked up 10 sacks last season, and his absence will be felt against Memphis. Among the linebackers, Ashlee Palmer posted 89 tackles as a junior and is looked upon as a leader. A playmaking linebacker, Palmer had three interceptions in addition to the tackles in 2007. The secondary will also need to make positive strides in the 2008 season, and leading the way will be safety Jamarca Sanford. Sanford has started three consecutive years for Ole Miss, and is without question the leader of this unit.

Definitely do not expect a high-scoring battle in this matchup. Both Memphis and Ole Miss will be working with inexperienced quarterbacks, and it will likely take time for both signal-callers to gel with the offense. With that said, the Rebels have beaten Memphis three straight times, and it is likely Ole Miss will make it four in a row.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ole Miss 24, Memphis 14

Saturday, August 30th, 7:00 p.m. (et)