GameDay 20121124

DESTE LEE | DAILY JOURNAL

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The Daily Journal’s weekly college football preview section | Saturday, November 24, 2012

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

Today MISSISSIPPI STATE

Record: 8-3 Today: At Ole Miss (5-6) TV: 6 p.m., ESPNU The buzz: Bulldogs try to make it four in a row in rivalry game.

Coverage starts: On Page 3

OLE MISS

Record: 5-6 Today: Home vs. MSU (8-3) TV: 6 p.m., ESPNU The buzz: High stakes, as Rebels must win to go bowling.

Coverage starts: On Page 3

SOUTHERN MISS

Record: 0-11 Today: At Memphis TV: 3:30 p.m., CSS The buzz: Last chance to win, against improving Tigers.

Read more: On Page 13

ALSO INSIDE TODAY

WHO HAS THE EDGE: Page 6 ROAD TO STARKVILLE: Page 6 SEC PREVIEW: Page 7 GAME KEYS: Pages 8-9 DEPTH CHARTS: Pages 10-11 RECRUITING ANGLE: Page 12

GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

Sports editor: John L. Pitts Page design: Journal staff Sports staff: Parrish Alford (Ole Miss beat writer), Brett Brown, Brad Locke (MSU beat writer), Gene Phelps, Brandon Speck.

On the cover: MSU’s Corey Broomfield celebrates with the Golden Egg Trophy in 2011.

(Deste Lee, Daily Journal)

DAILY JOURNAL

Looking for Mr. Right – and keeping him

I

s there one “perfect” major-college team in head coach out there for NCAA history – and yet every college football found the right coach, Bill team?

Snyder, who led them out of And if there is, how can the wilderness. you be sure your team has Snyder stacked up six 11found him? win seasons in Manhattan, And if you can find him, Kan., then retired after a can you keep him? couple of losing years. His Those seem like good replacement bombed in JOHN L. questions to ask right about three seasons, so Snyder PITTS now, with at least three SEC came back in 2009. His teams – and probably four – team went 10-3 a year ago prepared to change head and is 10-1 now. coaches in the offseason.

He may not have a magic formula, One of those, Tennessee, is a forbut he’s worked some magic at Kmer championship program that’s State. And he’s 73 – not a young gun. fallen on bad times thanks to some The tantalizing and frustrating bad choices. The next Vols’ coach part about hiring a new coach that will be the team’s fourth in six years. confronts every athletic director is No team, at any level, can succeed the risk of being wrong versus the in the face of that kind of turnover. problems that can evolve from While Tennessee struggles, Kansas being right.

State has been thriving. And K-State If you’re wrong, dreadfully wrong, is nobody’s idea of a traditional you wind up with an Ed Orgeron. If powerhouse. you’re Duke, say, and lightning The Wildcats went 0-21-1 in 1987- strikes and you hire a Steve Spurrier, 88 – the worst such patch for a he may find success that coaches |

John L. Pitts (john.pitts@journalinc.com) is sports editor of the Daily Journal

FIVE GAMES TO WATCH

NOTRE DAME AT SOUTHERN CAL: Notre Dame is No.1 in the AP poll for the first time since 1993 and a win today could clinch for the Irish a Bowl Championship Series title berth. Southern Cal is reeling after its loss to UCLA and will have to face Notre Dame without senior quarterback Matt Barkley.

MICHIGAN AT OHIO STATE: This is a relative sidebar in the larger BCS sense because undefeated Ohio State isn’t eligible for the postseason. But you know it would

make Michigan’s day and season to win in Columbus and deny the Buckeyes a possible shot at the AP national title.

FLORIDA AT FLORIDA STATE: This has suddenly become a game of national title importance. If Southern Cal pins a loss on Notre Dame, it means Florida – even with that primordial ooze offense – could possibly get into the BCS title game with a victory.

GEORGIA TECH AT GEORGIA: Georgia has clinched a SEC title-game berth but

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who follow him will be unable to duplicate.

Or you might hire a coach who looks perfect and then turns out to be Mr. Wrong. (Yes, Bobby Petrino, I’m talking about you.)

Vanderbilt could have its own wing in the Bad Coaches Hall of Non-Fame, yet here the Commodores sit, with a good chance of picking up an eighth win today – eight wins, for a program that had 25 consecutive losing seasons before 2008. And Vandy is headed to a second consecutive bowl appearance for the first time ever.

James Franklin is making a name for himself in Nashville – but how long will he be happy there? And can the next Vandy coach build on his success, or fritter it away?

Those are the kinds of questions that give ADs – at good programs and bad – a lot of sleepless nights these days.

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ON TV

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TODAY

11 a.m.

Michigan at Ohio State, ABC Georgia Tech at Georgia, ESPN Rutgers at Pittsburgh, ESPN2 Virginia at Virginia Tech, ESPNU Tulsa at SMU. FX 11:21 a.m.

Kentucky at Tennessee, SEC Network (WCBI, WLMT) Noon North Texas at W. Kentucky, CSS 1:30 p.m.

Baylor vs. Texas Tech, Fox 2 p.m.

Maryland at North Carolina, FSS 2:30 p.m.

Florida at Florida State, ABC Auburn at Alabama, CBS Okla. State at Oklahoma, ESPN Wisconsin at Penn State, ESPN2 Vandy at Wake Forest, ESPNU Tulane at Houston, FCSC Grambling vs. Southern, NBC Air Force at Fresno, NBCSN 3:30 p.m.

Southern Miss at Memphis, CSS 5:30 p.m.

Stanford at UCLA, Fox

must beat Tech if it wants to play for a national title-game berth. Georgia Tech has won three straight games after a 3-5 start while scoring 110 points in its last two wins.

STANFORD AT UCLA: No. 11 Stanford is two wins over No. 15 UCLA from going to the Rose Bowl. UCLA, on the other hand, may be better off losing to Stanford today in order to play Stanford a second time Nov. 30 rather than Oregon for the first time.

Los Angeles Times (MCT)

6 p.m.

Miss. State at Ole Miss, ESPNU So. Carolina at Clemson, ESPN Missouri at Texas A&M, ESPN2 7 p.m.

Notre Dame at So. Cal, ABC 9:30 p.m.

Louisiana Tech at San Jose State, ESPN2 All times Central

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2F

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

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3F

THE BATTLE FOR THE GOLDEN EGG, YEAR BY YEAR OLE MISS LEADS TROPHY SERIES 54-25-5 (Overall series: Ole Miss leads 60-42-6)

1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955

Oxford Ole Miss 20, Mississippi State 12 Starkville Ole Miss 20, Mississippi State 19 Oxford Ole Miss 7, Mississippi State 7 Starkville Ole Miss 20, Mississippi State 0 Oxford Ole Miss 25, Mississippi State 14 Starkville Ole Miss 13, Mississippi State 0 Oxford Ole Miss 31, Mississippi State 0 Jackson Ole Miss 7, Mississippi State 3 Oxford Ole Miss 14, Mississippi State 6 Starkville Mississippi State 26, Ole Miss 6 Oxford Mississippi State 9, Ole Miss 7 Starkville Ole Miss 19, Mississippi State 6 Oxford Mississippi State 18, Ole Miss 6 Starkville Mississippi State 19, Ole Miss 0 Oxford Mississippi State 6, Ole Miss 0 Starkville Mississippi State 34, Ole Miss 13 No football for state colleges (World War II) Oxford Ole Miss 13, Mississippi State 8 Starkville Ole Miss 7, Mississippi State 6 Oxford Mississippi State 20, Ole Miss 0 Starkville Ole Miss 33, Mississippi State 14 Oxford Ole Miss 34, Mississippi State 7 Starkville Ole Miss 26, Mississippi State 0 Oxford Ole Miss 27, Mississippi State 20 Starkville Ole Miss 49, Mississippi State 7 Oxford Ole Miss 20, Mississippi State 14 Starkville Ole Miss 7, Mississippi State 7 Oxford Ole Miss 14, Mississippi State 0 Starkville Ole Miss 26, Mississippi State 0

MISSISSIPPI STATE S1 S8 S15 S22 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10 N17 N24

www.hailstate.com Jackson State W, 56-9 Auburn W, 28-10 at Troy W, 30-24 South Alabama W, 30-10 at Kentucky W, 27-14 Tennessee W, 41-31 Middle Tenn.

W, 45-3 at Alabama L, 38-7 Texas A&M L, 38-13 LSU L, 37-17 Arkansas W, 45-14 at Ole Miss, 6 p.m.

OLE MISS

www.olemisssports.com S1 Central Arkansas W, 49-27 S8 UTEP W, 28-10 S15 Texas L, 66-31 S22 at Tulane W, 39-0 S29 at Alabama L, 33-14 O6 Texas A&M L, 30-27 O13 Auburn W, 41-30 O27 at Arkansas W, 30-27 N3 at Georgia L, 37-10 N10 Vanderbilt L, 27-26 N17 at LSU W, 41-35 N24 Mississippi State, 6 p.m.

1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Jackson Jackson Jackson Jackson Jackson Jackson Jackson Jackson Jackson Jackson Jackson Jackson

Ole Miss 13, Mississippi State 7 Ole Miss 7, Mississippi State 7 Ole Miss 21, Mississippi State 0 Ole Miss 42, Mississippi State 0 Ole Miss 35, Mississippi State 9 Ole Miss 37, Mississippi State 7 Ole Miss 13, Mississippi State 6 Ole Miss 10, Mississippi State 10 Mississippi State 20, Ole Miss 17 Ole Miss 21, Mississippi State 0 Ole Miss 24, Mississippi State 0 Ole Miss 10, Mississippi State 3 Ole Miss 17, Mississippi State 17 Ole Miss 48, Mississippi State 22 Mississippi State 19, Ole Miss 14 Ole Miss 48, Mississippi State 0 Ole Miss 51, Mississippi State 14 Ole Miss 38, Mississippi State 10 Mississippi State 31, Ole Miss 13 Ole Miss 13, Mississippi State 7 Mississippi State 28, Ole Miss 11* Mississippi State 18, Ole Miss 14* Ole Miss 27, Mississippi State 7 Ole Miss 14, Mississippi State 9 Mississippi State 19, Ole Miss 14 Ole Miss 21, Mississippi State 17 Mississippi State 27, Ole Miss 10 Ole Miss 24, Mississippi State 23 Ole Miss 24, Mississippi State 3

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Jackson Jackson Jackson Jackson Jackson Jackson Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville Oxford Starkville

Ole Miss 45, Mississippi State 27 Ole Miss 24, Mississippi State 3 Mississippi State 30, Ole Miss 20 Ole Miss 33, Mississippi State 6 Ole Miss 21, Mississippi State 11 Ole Miss 21, Mississippi State 9 Mississippi State 24, Ole Miss 9 Ole Miss 17, Mississippi State 10 Mississippi State 20, Ole Miss 13 Mississippi State 21, Ole Miss 17 Ole Miss 13, Mississippi State 10 Mississippi State 17, Ole Miss 0 Ole Miss 15, Mississippi State 14 Mississippi State 28, Ole Miss 6 Mississippi State 23, Ole Miss 20 Ole Miss 45, Mississippi State 30 Mississippi State 36, Ole Miss 28 Ole Miss 24, Mississippi State 12 Ole Miss 31, Mississippi State 0 Ole Miss 20, Mississippi State 3 Mississippi State 35, Ole Miss 14 Ole Miss 20, Mississippi State 17 Mississippi State 17, Ole Miss 14 Ole Miss 45, Mississippi State 0 Mississippi State 41, Ole Miss 27 Mississippi State 31, Ole Miss 23 Mississippi State 31, Ole Miss 3

WHY AN EGG?

The trophy that goes to the winner of today’s game was first presented in 1927. It depicts what was, at that time, a regulation football – a more rounded ball that closely *-Games officially forfeited by Mississippi State resembles an egg.

NO. 24 MISSISSIPPI STATE AT OLE MISS Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (60,580), Oxford Kickoff: 6 p.m. Television: ESPNU Radio: Ole Miss Network, Sirius 94, XM 198; MSU Network, Sirius 149, XM 193.

Records: Ole Miss 5-6 (2-5 SEC), Mississippi State 8-3 (4-3 SEC) Series: Ole Miss leads 60-42-6.

Coaches – MSU: Dan Mullen, 29-20 (fourth season). Ole Miss: Hugh Freeze, 35-13 overall (fourth season), 5-6 at Ole Miss (first season).

Statistical leaders – MSU: RB LaDarius Perkins 170-895 8 TDs; QB Tyler Russell 201-333 passing, 2,523 yards, 21 TDs, 4 INTs; WR Chad Bumphis 49-758, 10 TDs; LB Cam Lawrence 98 tackles, 7 TFL, 4 sacks. Ole Miss: RB Jeff Scott 163-717, 6 TDs; QB Bo Wallace 198-314, 2,549 yards, 14 TDs, 13 INTs; WR Donte Moncrief 53-775, 7 TDs. LB Denzel Nkemdiche 75 tackles, 12 TFLs, 4 FF; S Cody Prewitt 71 tackles, 2 INTs, 4.5 TFLs. Trends: Mississippi State is looking for its fourth-straight series win, its first such streak since 1939-1942. … Ole Miss has lost three in a row since a 5-3 start.

Notes: Mississippi State needs to win tonight and in a bowl game to match its most successful three-year win total in program history with 26 victories. … At 29-20, the MSU senior class is the school’s winningest group in a decade. … With 22 touchdown catches, Tupelo’s Chad Bumphis is the career record-holder for the Bulldogs. He needs 12

AP

Ole Miss players haven’t gotten to hoist the trophy since 2008 in Oxford.

catches to tie the school’s career reception mark with 162. … Ole Miss will recognize 22 seniors before the game. … Three times this season, including twice in the last two weeks, Ole Miss has lost a game it led with less than 2 minutes to play. … The Rebels’ last win against a ranked team was against No. 18 Oklahoma State, a 21-7 win in the Cotton Bowl following the 2009 season. … Ole Miss has scored on 35 of 38 trips inside the red zone, a 92.1 percent success rate that ranks second in the SEC and is tied for seventh nationally. … The Ole Miss-MSU game has been as close as eight points just once since 2007, that being the Bulldogs’ 31-23 victory two years ago in Oxford. … MSU rallied to win 17-14 in 2007 after holding the Rebels on a crucial fourth-down conversion attempt by former coach Ed Orgeron in his last game.

Summing it up: “The only goal we talked about this year was to put a product on the field for this great university that would play with great pride and passion. I think our kids have done that.” – Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze.

Parrish Alford

OUR PREDICTIONS

Parrish Alford: Ole Miss, 29-28.

Brad Locke: Mississippi State, 30-24.

John L. Pitts: Mississippi State, 27-24.

Ralph Russo, AP: Ole Miss, 28-24.

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SEC RANKINGS

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MISSISSIPPI STATE

7th

Scoring offense (30.8 ppg)

7th

Scoring defense (20.7 ppg)

7th

Total offense (394.5 ypg)

8th

Total defense (377.5 ypg)

OLE MISS

8th

Scoring offense (30 ppg)

5th

Total offense (417.7 ypg)

11th 11th Scoring defense (28.9 ppg)

Total defense (389.7 ypg)

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

DAILY JOURNAL

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

DAILY JOURNAL

For MSU’s seniors, this game is personal

BY BRAD LOCKE DAILY JOURNAL

Mississippi State’s seniors don’t have any bad Egg Bowl memories.

For cornerback Corey Broomfield, his favorite memory is from 2009, when he intercepted Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead and returned it 64 yards for a touchdown. Broomfield pointed at Snead on the way to scoring MSU’s final points in that 4127 win.

“I remember the Tennessee game when I had an interception, one fan yelled, ‘That was a good play, but it won’t every beat that Egg Bowl your freshman year,’” Broomfield said.

“That just goes to show you they will never forget that play. That’s probably my fa|

vorite moment.”

It’s a favorite moment of receiver Chad Bumphis, too.

“It still gives me chills every time I watch it,” he said.

Another moment that sticks in Bumphis’ mind is his 34yard touchdown catch in that same game. He’s been reliving other Egg Bowl moments on YouTube, even looking up the infamous pregame fight in 1997 (Ole Miss won, 15-14).

Tight end Marcus Green’s first Egg Bowl at MSU was way back in 2007, his redshirt freshman year. Now a sixthyear senior, he sat in the stands that day and watched the Bulldogs rally in the fourth quarter for a 17-14 victory.

But he doesn’t need to go back and relive old memories to get himself ready for today’s showdown in Oxford.

MSU LEADERS RUSHING LaDarius Perkins Josh Robinson Nick Griffin Derrick Milton Dak Prescott Total PASSING Tyler Russell Dak Prescott Total RECEIVING Chad Bumphis Chris Smith Arceto Clark Marcus Green LaDarius Perkins Robert Johnson Jameon Lewis Total

AP

WR Arceto Clark, from Shannon, is still looking for his first touchdown of 2012. He’s third on the team with 30 catches.

“I’ve kind of got the idea,” Green said. “I’m just trying to build into the moment, just making sure I’m ready. I don’t really need nothing to get me hyped.”

“This is what we do,” Banks said. “We go out and play football, and we’re going to win football games. There ain’t no pressure at all.”

This week of preparation is different from the rest, and that’s a deliberate approach HISTORIC MOMENT The Bulldogs all understand by the Bulldogs. They treat this game differently, because what this game means. it means more, and the memThey’ve won the last three ories that are made stick out meetings, and a win today more. would give No. 25 State (8-3, “A lot of people say football 4-3 SEC) its first four-game is personal, but this week it rewinning streak over Ole Miss ally is,” Broomfield said. “A lot (5-6, 2-5) since 1939-42. of these guys played with Senior cornerback Johnthan Banks said in the presea- these guys in high school, on the same team, come from son that he’s looking forward the same junior colleges, to going 4-0 against the cousins and little league Rebels for his career, and he’s teammates. It is very, very not backing off that statepersonal.” ment. He also said there’s no added pressure to back up his words. brad.locke@journalinc.com

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GP Att Yrds Avg 10 170 895 5.3 11 48 244 5.1 11 29 213 7.3 10 34 165 4.9 10 29 99 3.4 366 1658 4.5

TD Long YPG 8 64 89.5 1 22 22.2 1 60 19.4 2 27 16.5 4 15 9.9 18 64 150.7

GP Cp-Att-Int Pct Yards TD Lng YPG 11 201-333-4 60.4 2523 21 72 229.4 10 15-22-0 68.2 159 3 29 15.9 216-356-4 60.7 2682 24 72 243.8 GP 11 11 11 11 10 11 11

No. Yards 49 758 42 505 30 416 18 200 16 144 15 151 10 108 216 2682

Avg TD Long Avg 15.5 10 72 68.9 12.0 2 45 45.9 13.9 0 46 37.8 11.1 6 30 18.2 9.0 2 24 14.4 10.1 2 23 13.7 10.8 0 21 9.8 12.4 24 72 243.8

DEFENSE GP Solo Ast Tot. TFL Sack Cameron Lawrence 11 40 58 98 7.0-38 4.0-32 Benardrick McKinney 11 34 53 87 3.5-18 1.0-13 Nickoe Whitley 11 41 35 76 2.5-3 – Johnthan Banks 11 34 22 56 2.0-5 – Deontae Skinner 11 17 38 55 5.0-20 – Corey Broomfield 11 19 18 37 3.5-11 –

Int. – – 1 4 – 1

DESTE LEE | DAILY JOURNAL

MSU senior Chad Bumphis has had plenty to celebrate in three Egg Bowl victories.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

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Player-turned-coach values Egg rivalry

BY PARRISH ALFORD DAILY JOURNAL

OXFORD – You can take the man out of the rivalry, but can you take the rivalry out of the man?

Not if the man is Matt Luke.

The Ole Miss offensive line coach grew up cheering for the Rebels in a rivalry series with Mississippi State that he describes with passion and emotion.

And Luke has the unique perspective of participating in the series as a player (1995-98) but also as a coach on three different coaching staffs.

Even when he was coaching the offensive line at Tennessee and Duke the last six seasons, Luke kept an eye on this game.

He has struggled to endure not only the recent results but also

the taunts of MSU coach Dan Mullen.

“Yeah, it’s bothered me.

I watch every game that Ole Miss plays but especially that one. Any time that you’re a graduate, it always bothers you, for Luke sure,” he said.

For the first time since 2005, when he coached tight ends for Ed Orgeron, Luke has the chance to have a direct impact on the game’s outcome.

After three games of struggle, the Rebels were much better running the football in last week’s 4135 loss at then-No. 8 LSU. Against the nation’s No. 7 run defense, allowing 97.2 yards per game, the Rebels gained 147 and averaged 3.6 yards per carry.

That came after three games of failing to reach 100 yards and av-

eraging just 1.8 yards per rush.

What led to that improvement is a question that’s drawn different responses.

After the game, Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said, “I don’t think it had to do as much with Jeff (Scott) or (Randall) Mackey as much as we had a new blocking scheme that we brought into this game. It worked early, and then they made their adjustments.”

Earlier this week, Luke said there were no tweaks to scheme.

“We didn’t do anything different. We played with more energy maybe than in the last couple of weeks. Obviously, that happens when you make some big plays early in the game. It’s good for us to understand that we can play

‘We’ve got to go out there and play with great passion and with great heart.’

Matt Luke

Ole Miss offensive line coach with anybody in the country, and we need to carry that confidence over into the next game.”

Luke has gone with only his five starters for the vast majority of most games. The physical grind of the season has set in, something that Luke downplays, saying the bumps and bruises are everywhere.

He expresses confidence in three reserves – tackle Patrick Junen and guards Justin Bell and Jared Duke. |

RUSHING Jeff Scott Bo Wallace Randall Mackey Barry Brunetti I’Tavius Mathers Total PASSING Bo Wallace Barry Brunetti Randall Mackey Total

Serving North Mississippi

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parrish.alford@journalinc.com

OLE MISS LEADERS

GP Att Yrds Avg 10 163 717 4.4 11 122 323 2.6 11 65 270 4.2 10 46 193 4.2 11 21 112 5.3 446 1803 4.0

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TD Long YPG 6 48 71.7 8 58 29.4 4 28 24.5 2 24 19.3 0 15 10.2 23 58 163.9

GP Cp-Att-Int Pct Yards TD Lng YPG 11 198-314-13 63.1 2549 14 75 231.7 10 21-32-0 65.6 184 1 36 18.4 11 3-6-1 50.0 59 1 32 5.4 222-352-14 63.1 2792 16 75 253.8

RECEIVING Donte Moncrief Ja-Mes Logan Vince Sanders Randall Mackey Korvic Neat Jeff Scott Jamal Mosley Total

B&B CONCRETE CO., INC.

“If they’re number’s called, they’ll be fine,” he says.

Luke is confident his guys will be ready to play emotionally in spite of the fact that Ole Miss has three times this season lost games in which it led with 2 minutes to play – including twice in the last two weeks.

He wants to see the Egg Bowl matter to Ole Miss players just as it matters to him. His offensive linemen have heard the stories.

“I’ve talked to them enough where they understand the importance,” he said. “We’ve got to go out there and play with great passion and with great heart. We don’t need to try and do too much, but they do need to understand and be ready to fight for four quarters.”

DEFENSE Denzel Nkemdiche Cody Prewitt Mike Marry Charles Sawyer Trae Elston

GP 11 11 11 11 8 10 11

No. Yards 53 775 35 445 31 379 23 318 23 244 19 175 14 146 222 2792

Avg TD Long Avg 14.6 7 75 70.5 12.7 0 47 40.5 12.2 2 41 34.5 13.8 0 68 28.9 10.6 0 30 30.5 9.2 1 55 17.5 10.4 2 28 13.3 12.6 16 75 253.8

GP Solo Ast Tot. TFL Sack Int. 11 32 43 75 12.0-38 3.0-22 2 11 38 33 71 4.5-18 1.5-13 2 11 32 35 67 6.0-17 1.5-10 1 11 35 17 52 .5-21 1.5-11 1 11 26 26 52 1.0-5 1.0-5 –

AP

Donte Moncrief ranks fifth in the SEC in receiving yards with 70.5 yards per game.

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

DAILY JOURNAL

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

DAILY JOURNAL

WHO HAS THE EDGE? Parrish Alford’s perspective

Brad Locke’s perspective OFFENSE

Running backs – MSU. Ole Miss has a better rushing average through 11 games (163.9 yards per game to 150.7), but in SEC play the edge belongs to the Bulldogs (122.9-109.1).

The Bulldogs have good depth here, and backup QB Dak Prescott is a weapon.

Offensive line – MSU. Sacks allowed per game: MSU 1.18, Ole Miss 2.91.

Quarterback – MSU. Tyler Russell takes better care of the ball than Bo Wallace and makes consistently good decisions.

Wide receivers – MSU. More depth and strong tight ends give the Bulldogs a slight edge.

DEFENSE

Defensive line – Ole Miss. The Rebels are small-

ish up front, but they’ve been very productive.

Isaac Gross and C.J. Johnson have combined for 13.0 tackles-for-loss and 7.0 sacks.

Linebacker – MSU. Great depth here, led by senior Cam Lawrence.

Secondary – MSU. Vets Johnthan Banks, Corey Broomfield and Darius Slay lead one of the league’s strongest units, and the depth has improved over the course of the season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

MSU. The Bulldogs rank higher in every major special teams category except field goals, and there’s little separation there. Bryson Rose of Ole Miss is 15 of 22 on field goals, while MSU’s Devon Bell is 11 of 17.

OFFENSE

Running Backs – Ole Miss. MSU’s LaDarius Perkins and Ole Miss’ Jeff Scott are both homerun threats from any point on the field. The wild card in the running backs comparison is the potential of Ole Miss’ Randall Mackey who reemerged against LSU. Mackey has contributed but has yet to have a monster game.

Offensive Line – MSU. The Bulldogs have protected quarterback Tyler Russell and given Perkins lanes to become one of the SEC’s top backs. The Ole Miss line has had its moments but continues to struggle with protection.

Quarterback – MSU. Russell’s 21 touchdowns and four interceptions trump Bo Wallace’s 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Wide Receivers – MSU. Both have a clear stand-

out – Donte Moncrief for Ole Miss, Chad Bumphis for MSU – and an effective cast. Russell’s decisions, fewer interceptions gives MSU receivers the chance to impact the game more.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line – Ole Miss. The Rebels rush the passer better and are better against the run.

Linebackers – MSU. Cam Lawrence is the difference.

Secondary – MSU. Bulldogs corners have good ball skills. Rebels are young and beaten up.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Ole Miss. MSU’s coverage units are better, but if it comes down to a short kick, and this one could, Bryson Rose won’t miss.

THE ROAD TO OXFORD Mississippi State (8-3) MSU 56, Jackson State 9: The Bulldogs had no trouble with their SWAC foe, staking a 35-0 halftime lead. JSU managed only 265 total yards, and MSU got to send a lot of players into the game, including several newcomers.

MSU 28, Auburn 10: Dan Mullen finally got a win against an SEC Western Division team not named Ole Miss. MSU trailed 10-7 early in the second quarter but scored 21 unanswered points to pull away. Johnthan Banks had two interceptions, and Auburn managed only 216 total yards.

MSU 30, Troy 24: The Bulldogs had trouble in their first road game but held on thanks to a fourth-down TD pass from Tyler Russell to Chad Bumphis.

MSU 30, South Alabama 10: After a scoreless first quarter, State scored 20 in the second. It barely outgained USA in total yardage, 356-347, but was plus-2 in turnovers.

MSU 27, Kentucky 14: In its first SEC road game, MSU got 269 passing yards from Tyler Russell and 110 rushing yards from LaDarius Perkins.

Receiver Chad Bumphis had nine catches for 104 yards and made his 18th career touchdown reception, a school record.

MSU 41, Tennessee 31: State held Tennessee’s vaunted passing attack in check, with Tyler Bray passing for just 148 yards. MSU sealed the win with tight end Malcolm Johnson’s spectacular touchdown catch in the back of the end zone with 9 seconds left.

MSU 45, Middle Tennessee State 3: The Bulldogs improved to 7-0 – their best start since 1999 – with a 35-point second half. Perkins rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown.

Alabama 38, MSU 7: The Crimson Tide, No. 1

Ole Miss (5-6)

AP

Dan Mullen led his team to a 7-0 start, then ended an SEC skid with a big win. in the country at the time, jumped ahead early and shut down MSU’s running game. It was 24-0 at halftime, and there would be no comeback against one of the country’s top defenses.

Texas A&M 38, MSU 13: State had no answer for freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel, who was 30 of 36 for 311 yards passing and added 129 yards and two touchdowns rushing. MSU was down 24-0 at halftime.

LSU 37, MSU 17: MSU’s run game struggled for the third consecutive week, but it still was in the game entering the fourth quarter. LSU sealed it with a 100-yard interception return for touchdown. State hasn’t won in Baton Rouge since ’91.

MSU 45, Arkansas 14: The Bulldogs outscored the Razorbacks 28-0 in the second half, and Russell passed for 274 yards and four touchdowns to snap a three-game losing streak to Arkansas.

Brad Locke

Ole Miss 49, Central Arkansas 27: The Hugh Freeze debut had the disturbing feel of the Houston Nutt finale as the Rebels trailed at halftime.

Defensive adjustments helped Ole Miss pull away and win big in the second half.

Ole Miss 28, UTEP 10: It was another big game for Bo Wallace, who passed for 174 yards and three touchdowns as the Rebels rolled up more than 500 yards of offense for the second straight week. After two games, Wallace had thrown five touchdown passes with only one interception.

No. 12 Texas 66, Ole Miss 31: Bigger and faster at most positions, the Longhorns rolled up AP almost 700 yards total offense.

Wallace connected with Donte Moncrief for 75- Hugh Freeze has seen some close-call losses down the stretch for the Rebels. yard touchdown but also threw three interceptions. The Rebels had 399 yards of offense.

Ole Miss 39, Tulane 0: The Rebels rebounded Ole Miss 30, Arkansas 27: The Rebels strugagainst a struggling team in a road game that fea- gled to run the football but made enough plays in tured more Ole Miss fans than home fans in the the tempo offense to drive down and win on Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Wallace took a hit on Bryson Rose’s 31-yard field goal on the last play of his shoulder that has continued to bother him for the game. the remainder of the season.

No. 6 Georgia 37, Ole Miss 10: Georgia’s Aaron No. 1 Alabama 33, Ole Miss 14: After Jeff Murray lit up the Rebels’ secondary in the second Scott’s 1-yard run, Ole Miss was up 7-6 to hand half. His 40-yard touchdown pass with 3 seconds Alabama its first deficit of the season. left in the first half was a big momentum changer.

Texas A&M 30, Ole Miss 27: Heartbreak Game Vanderbilt 27, Ole Miss 26: Heartbreak Game No. 1. The Rebels were driving to put away the No. 2. Wallace passed for 403 yards, but the game when a holding call stopped the drive. Still, Rebels settled for too many short field goals, and they had A&M backed up to its 1 and let the AgVanderbilt scored on Jordan Rodger’s 26-yard gies loose. A&M scored 13 points in the final 6:24 touchdown pass with 52 seconds left. but didn’t secure the win until a Wallace intercepNo. 8 LSU 41, Ole Miss 35: Heartbreak Game tion with the Rebels closing in on field goal range. No. 3. The Rebels led most of the way in spite of Ole Miss 41, Auburn 20: The Rebels end a 16- four turnovers that led to 13 points for the Tigers. game SEC losing streak behind Jeff Scott’s 207 LSU scored the game-winner with 15 seconds left.

Parrish Alford all-purpose yards and a receiving touchdown.

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6F

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EASTERN Georgia Florida South Carolina Vanderbilt Missouri Tennessee Kentucky WESTERN Alabama LSU-* Texas A&M Mississippi State Ole Miss Arkansas-* Auburn *-Played on Friday

SEC 7-1 7-1 6-2 5-3 2-5 0-7 0-7 SEC 6-1 5-2 5-2 4-3 2-5 2-5 0-7

SEC STANDINGS

PF 268 207 229 177 146 209 72 PF 254 160 254 178 183 144 81

PA 145 95 169 168 205 303 254 PA 90 137 139 182 215 237 223

All 10-1 10-1 9-2 7-4 5-6 4-7 2-9 All 10-1 9-2 9-2 8-3 5-6 4-7 3-8

PF 414 284 350 297 280 397 198 PF 419 343 478 339 330 269 224

PA 202 129 192 198 282 411 335 PA 111 190 241 228 318 345 291

2011 Home 9-2 6-0 6-5 7-0 9-2 7-0 5-6 4-2 6-5 3-4 5-6 3-3 4-7 2-5 2011 Home 10-1 5-1 11-0 7-1 6-5 3-2 5-6 6-1 2-9 3-3 10-1 3-4 7-4 3-4

Div. 5-1 5-1 5-1 3-3 2-4 0-5 0-5 Div. 4-1 4-1 5-1 2-3 2-3 1-4 0-5

T25 1-1 3-1 1-2 0-3 0-4 0-5 0-5 T25 4-1 3-2 3-2 0-3 0-4 0-2 0-4

Str. W5 W3 W3 W6 L1 L2 W1 Str. W1 W2 W4 W1 L3 L2 W1

T25 = Games against teams in Top 25 (AP, USA Today, Harris) at time of matchup

(All game times converted to Central) Kickoff TV Sirius/XM 11 a.m. ESPN 92/200 11:21 a.m. SEC Network 132/199 2:30 p.m. CBS 86/86 2:30 p.m. ESPNU 112 /197 2:30 p.m. ABC 85/85 6 p.m. ESPNU See Page 3 6 p.m. ESPN2 93/191 6 p.m. ESPN 112/197

Series Ga., 62-37-5 UT, 74-24-9 Ala., 41-34-1 Vandy, 8-6 Fla., 33-21-2 UM, 60-42-6 A&M, 7-5 Clem., 65-40-4

Sagarin says Georgia by 17 UT by 13 Bama by 35 Vandy by 17 Even Even A&M by 20 Even

AUBURN AT NO. 2 ALABAMA

THE BUZZ: Alabama can secure an SEC championship game matchup against No. 3 Georgia with a victory and remain in line to play for the Crimson Tide’s third national title in four years.

The Tigers can put a soothing salve on a horrible season, avoid going winless in the SEC and secure state bragging rights.

FAST FACTS: Auburn has won seven of the eight games played in Tuscaloosa and is 5-1 at Bryant-Denny Stadium, including a 28-27 win two years ago after rallying from a 24-0 deficit. ... The Tide has won three of the last four meetings since a six-year losing streak. ... The Tigers are 23-34 in the Iron Bowl when Alabama is ranked. ... The team that has rushed for the most yards is 38-7 in the game since 1967.

GEORGIA TECH AT NO. 3 GEORGIA

Note: The Sagarin ratings appear online at USAToday.com

THE BUZZ: Georgia is playing to protect its hopes of playing for a national championship if it beats No. 2 Alabama in the Dec. 1 SEC championship game.

Georgia Tech is trying to end a threegame losing streak in the series since its last win in Athens in 2008, coach Paul Johnson’s first season.

FAST FACTS: QB Aaron Murray leads the nation in passing efficiency (157.11) and needs only 14 yards passing to become the first SEC quarterback to pass for 3,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. ... This will be the first time the teams have played when each has clinched its outright conference or division title.

NO. 6 FLORIDA AT NO.10 FLORIDA STATE

AP

James Franklin will try to lead Vanderbilt to its eighth win of the season today at Wake Forest.

LAST WEEK

Saturday, Nov 17 Mississippi State 45, Arkansas 14 LSU 41, Ole Miss 35 Auburn 51, Alabama A&M 7 Vanderbilt 41, Tennessee 18 Alabama 49, Western Carolina 0 Syracuse 31, Missouri 27 Florida 23, Jacksonville State 0 Georgia 45, Georgia Southern 14 Kentucky 34, Samford 3 South Carolina 24, Wofford 7 Texas A&M 47, Sam Houston State 28

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7F

SEC games at a glance

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TODAY’S GAMES

Matchup Georgia Tech (6-5) at Georgia Kentucky at Tennessee Auburn at Alabama Vanderbilt at Wake Forest (5-6) Florida at Florida State Mississippi State at Ole Miss Missouri at Texas A&M South Carolina at Clemson (10-1)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

NEXT WEEK

Saturday, Dec. 1 SEC Championship Game (Atlanta) Georgia vs. Western Division Champion

SEC’S BOWL TIES

Independence, Dec. 28, Shreveport, La. Music City, Dec. 31, Nashville Liberty, Dec. 31, Memphis Chick-fil-A, Dec. 31, Atlanta Gator, Jan. 1, Jacksonville, Fla. Capital One, Jan. 1, Orlando Outback, Jan. 1, Tampa, Fla. Cotton, Jan. 4, Arlington, Texas Compass, Jan. 5, Birmingham

THE BUZZ: Florida sits fourth in the BCS rankings and while it needs lots of help, it isn’t totally shut out of getting to the national championship game, but must win today to keep its hopes alive.

FSU is aching to prove it’s more than the beneficiary of a weak schedule.

FAST FACTS: It’s the first time since 2000 that both schools are ranked in the Top 10 nationally when they meet in their annual regular season finale ... Seminoles have won the last two games by a combined 52-14 margin.

MISSOURI AT NO. 9 TEXAS A&M

THE BUZZ: Texas A&M redshirt freshman QB Johnny Manziel needs another big performance to help his chances of becoming the first freshman to win the

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INSIDER

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JOURNAL RANKINGS

Parrish Alford, Brad Locke and John Pitts rank the SEC after Week 12: Ranking (1sts) Last week 1. Alabama (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T1 1. Texas A&M (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T1 3. Georgia (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4. LSU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 5. Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 6. South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 7. Mississippi State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 8. Vanderbilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 9. Ole Miss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 10. Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 11. Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 12. Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 13. Auburn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 14. Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Heisman Trophy.

Missouri needs a win to become bowl eligible and extend its winning streak over the Aggies to four games.

FAST FACTS: This will be the third straight year these teams have met in College Station. ... Missouri went 5-3 against Texas A&M during its time in the Big 12. ...

The Aggies have scored first in each of their games this season.

NO. 13 SOUTH CAROLINA AT NO. 12 CLEMSON

THE BUZZ: Clemson has a shot at an at-large BCS bid if it finishes off a perfect home season. The Tigers are seeking their 14th straight victory at Death Valley over the past two seasons.

South Carolina is seeking a fourth consecutive win in the series, something that’s only happened once, in 1951-54.

FAST FACTS: South Carolina is trying to win two straight at Clemson for just the third time since 1968-70. ... Clemson is seeking its 11th victory, something it hasn’t accomplished since it went 12-0 in its 1981 national championship season.

VANDERBILT AT WAKE FOREST

THE BUZZ: At 7-4, the Commodores have won five straight and finished league play with a winning record. An eighth victory would be their most since 1982.

KENTUCKY AT TENNESSEE

THE BUZZ: A Kentucky victory will leave Tennessee winless in conference play for the first time in school history.

Wire reports

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

DAILY JOURNAL

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

DAILY JOURNAL

Scouting report: Mississippi State KEYS FOR VICTORY

1. HIT THE BIG PLAYS Ole Miss will try to force the issue with speed on defense, and that’s worked well at times. The Rebels rank eighth in the country in tackles-forloss (7.64 per game) and 13th in sacks (2.82).

But that aggressive style has meant opportunities for big plays, and Ole Miss has allowed 53 plays of 20 or more yards (84th nationally) and 25 of 30-plus yards (tied for 94th). Most of those have come in the passing game; MSU has burned the Rebels with big pass plays in recent years.

Ole Miss ranks 10th in the SEC in pass efficiency defense.

ROCKY LACROSSE NIKE NEW BALANCE RUSSELL UNDER ARMOR MOSSY OAK

Each Monday in the Daily Journal, Brad Locke (MSU) and Parrish Alford (Ole Miss) assess their keys for victory. Follow them daily on their blogs – insidemsusports.com and insideolemisssports.com

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MSU’S LINEBACKERS VS. OLE MISS QB BO WALLACE The Bulldogs have had trouble with mobile quarterbacks, namely Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel. Wallace is no Manziel, but he can hurt a defense in multiple ways.

If MSU’s tackling troubles resurface this week, and if Wallace is able to extend plays with his scrambling, it could be A&M redux.

Brad Locke

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CRUCIAL MATCHUP

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WHAT TO WATCH

WHEN MSU HAS THE BALL MSU has striven for balance all season. It got that last week against Arkansas, gaining 302 yards passing and 203 rushing. On the season, the Bulldogs have run the ball 50.7 percent of the time (366 of 722 plays).

The offensive line hasn’t been consistent, especially at the tackle spots, but on the whole has done a good job of protecting quarterback Tyler Russell. He’ll sometimes hold the ball a bit too long, but his patience is also a big reason MSU’s been so productive on offense.

WHEN OLE MISS HAS THE BALL Wallace has brought some stability back to the quarterback position, starting in all 11 games. He’s the first Ole Miss quarterback since Jevan Snead in 2009 to start every game.

Wallace ranks eighth in the SEC in pass efficiency and fifth in passing yards per game. He’s got a great weapon in WR Donte Moncrief, who has 775 yards and seven TDs. Wallace can run, too, with 323 yards and eight TDs on the ground.

Former QB Randall Mackey has become a factor, recording 318 yards receiving and 270 rushing (with four TDs). Speedy Jeff Scott leads the rushing attack with 717 yards and six TDs.

BERETTA

3. WEAR THEM DOWN Ole Miss has started well against quality opponents, such as last week at LSU, when it took a 21-17 lead into halftime. But the Rebels, who lack size and depth on defense, tend to wear down.

In its five SEC losses, Ole Miss has been outscored 87-41 in the second half, including 5417 in the fourth quarter. MSU should have the size and depth on offense to wear down the Rebels.

Same could go for the other side of the ball. In its four SEC wins, State has outscored foes 70-31 after halftime and 35-7 in the fourth.

AP

BROWNING

2. RATTLE WALLACE Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace has thrown 13 interceptions, and they tend to come in bunches.

He had three last week versus LSU, and he had three against UTEP earlier this season. Wallace also was picked off twice each by Alabama and Texas A&M. Turnovers have been a big key for the MSU defense, which has forced 27 of them, including 14 interceptions (tied for third in the SEC). Cornerbacks Darius Slay and Johnthan Banks have com- Mississippi State quarterback Tyler Russell has been doing a good job this season of spreading the ball around. bined for nine interceptions.

State has a turnover margin of plus-16, which Russell has also done a nice job of spreading ranks fourth nationally; Ole Miss is even in that the ball around and not playing favorites. Seven category (24 lost, 24 gained). players have at least 10 catches.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

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9F

Scouting report: Ole Miss KEYS FOR VICTORY

1. PLAY HARD, COACH HARDER Ole Miss is a banged-up team right now, most notably in the secondary but also with quarterback Bo Wallace.

Last week, coach Hugh Freeze credited different blocking schemes with reviving the run game at LSU. Now, that’s been scouted by the MSU staff.

A wrinkle or two thrown in by Freeze and executed by his players could be something that keeps chains moving and helps the run game – and ultimately Wallace and the passing game – stay on schedule and get in the end zone.

If Freeze can pull out the stops and get his team across the six-win finish line – at the expense of Mississippi State – his fan base will remember it for a long time.

2. GET TO RUSSELL The Rebels got only one sack against LSU’s Zach Mettenberger last week.

Aside from a couple of third-quarter interceptions by Senquez Golson, Mettenberger were accurate with the under-

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Bo Wallace can’t do it alone.

AP

neath stuff and moved the Tigers down the field in the second half.

State has been solid with its protection of Russell. Sacks would be beneficial, but getting in his face and being disruptive could be just as effective to the Rebels’ cause.

The return of Ole Miss end C.J. Johnson, held out with injury last week, could be a big lift.

3. MAKE THE PLAY It’s not that the Rebels haven’t made

big plays this season. They stand 5-6 and on the outside of bowl-eligibility, because they haven’t made the big plays at the biggest times in three games – Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and LSU. A single well-timed play on offense or defense changes any or all of those games. But the Rebels haven’t made that play.

Depending on how the Rebels rise up in the most key situations will determine whether their season ends tonight or continues into the bowl season with a win against their rival and the coach they’ve yet to defeat.

WHAT TO WATCH

WHEN MSU HAS THE BALL The Rebels are beaten-up in the secondary. They had some success against Mettenberger, holding him without a TD pass and intercepting him twice.

Mettenberger still hit some shots downfield and passed for 282 yards.

The Rebels will hope to continue solid play against the run against an

elusive back in MSU’s LaDarius Perkins, CRUCIAL MATCHUP who has had success against them in OLE MISS RUNNING BACKS the past.

VS. MSU FRONT SEVEN The Tigers averaged 3.8 yards per Expect the Bulldogs to make plays in rush, as the Rebels’ front seven were the passing game against a worn and generally in the right fits, and there was weary Ole Miss secondary likely misslots of gang-tackling. ing starting cornerback Charles Sawyer.

You can add inexperienced in there, WHEN OLE MISS HAS THE BALL but Cody Prewitt, Senquez Golson, Trae The Rebels will try to run with hopes Elston, Mike Hilton have been playing of matching or exceeding the success for quite some time now. they had against LSU after a threeLouis Covington has taken on a game stretch when they were very larger role of late. pedestrian against Arkansas, Georgia The Rebels are going to have to win and Vanderbilt. with offense, and that means they canSuccess in the run game would open not afford to regress in the run game. up things for quarterback Bo Wallace Ole Miss averaged 1.8 yards per against an MSU secondary that has rush in three games prior to LSU, where posted more than half of its 14 internew blocking schemes helped it rush ceptions against a weak non-conferfor 147 yards with two players averagence schedule. ing better than 4.5 yards per attempt.

Ole Miss was aggressive against the Teams have run on the Bulldogs, and LSU secondary – with the Tigers ranked Ole Miss needs to have success on the No. 3 nationally in pass defense effiground to make things easier for Walciency – and it paid off with Wallace lace and the passing game.

Parrish Alford passing for 310 yards.

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

DAILY JOURNAL

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

DAILY JOURNAL

Depth Chart: Bulldogs Based on the best pregame information available; subject to change.

OFFENSE

QB 17 15 RB 27 7 FB 23 35 LT 75 59 LG 61 66 C 63 55 RG 67 70 RT 77 78 TE 32 6 WR 19 16 WR 1 4 WR 8 3

Tyler Russell Dak Prescott LaDarius Perkins Nick Griffin Sylvester Hemphill Adrian Marcus Blaine Clausell Archie Muniz Gabe Jackson Ben Beckwith Dillon Day Dylan Holley Tobias Smith Justin Malone Charles Siddoway Damien Robinson Marcus Green Malcolm Johnson Arceto Clark Joe Morrow Chad Bumphis Jameon Lewis Chris Smith Brandon Heavens

(6-4, 220, Jr.) (6-2, 230, R-Fr.) (5-10, 190, Jr.) (6-0, 225, So.) (5-11, 235, Sr.) (5-10, 225, Jr.) (6-7, 305, So.) (6-5, 290, So.) (6-4, 320, Jr.) (6-3, 300, So.) (6-4, 285, So.) (6-3, 295, Jr.) (6-3, 305, Sr.) (6-7, 315, R-Fr.) (6-7, 300, Jr.) (6-7, 315, So.) (6-1, 240, Sr.) (6-2, 230, So.) (5-10, 180, Sr.) (6-4, 205, R-Fr.) (5-11, 200, Sr.) (5-9, 185, So.) (6-2, 205, Sr.) (5-10, 175, Sr.)

BRAD LOCKE’S COMMENTS 64.3% passing for 569 yards, 5 TDs last two games.

Averages 136.4 all-purpose yards, second in SEC. Has five catches for 30 yards.

Has shown improvement as season has gone on.

Blocking grade of 90% or higher five times this year.

Anchors line that’s given up just 13 sacks in 11 games.

Has started four consecutive games, seven total.

Has started all 11 games.

Three catches for 67 yards in last two games.

Has 30 catches for 416 yards but no TDs. Averaging 74.7 yards in SEC play, fifth in the league.

Has 42 catches for 505 yards.

AP

Mississippi State junior running back LaDarius Perkins ranks second in the SEC in all-purpose yardage. He has four TDs in two previous Ole Miss games.

DEFENSE

DE 92 91 DT 97 93 DT 74 98 DE 90 96 LB 51 12 LB 50 52 LB 10 22 CB 13 24 SS 30 25 FS 5 38 CB 9 37

Kaleb Eulls Preston Smith Josh Boyd P.J. Jones

(6-4, 280, So.) (6-6, 245, So.) (6-3, 300, Sr.) (6-3, 280, So.) Dewayne Cherrington (6-3, 325, Sr.) Curtis Virges (6-3, 305, So.) Denico Autry (6-5, 255, Jr.) Shane McCardell (6-5, 260, Jr.) Deontae Skinner (6-2, 245, Jr.) Chris Hughes (6-1, 225, Jr.) Benardrick McKinney (6-5, 235, R-Fr.) Ferlando Bohanna (6-0, 225, So.) Cam Lawrence (6-3, 230, Sr.) Matthew Wells (6-2, 215, So.) Johnthan Banks (6-2, 185, Sr.) Jamerson Love (5-10, 175, So.) Jay Hughes (5-11, 190, So.) Corey Broomfield (5-10, 180, Sr.) Nickoe Whitley (6-1, 205, Jr.) Dee Arrington (6-1, 215, So.) Darius Slay (6-1, 190, Sr.) Taveze Calhoun (6-1, 180, R-Fr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK 40 53 P 39 KR 27 4 PR 13 1

Devon Bell (6-2, 185, Fr.) Brian Egan (5-11, 210, Jr.) Baker Swedenburg (6-0, 185, Jr.) LaDarius Perkins (5-10, 190, Jr.) Jameon Lewis (5-9, 185, So.) Johnthan Banks (6-2, 285, Sr.) Chad Bumphis (5-11, 200, Sr.)

Team-high 4.5 sacks.

Has 13 tackles in last three games.

Has 11 tackles in seven SEC games.

Has 3.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks last two weeks.

Has 55 tackles, 5.0 TFLs. Made first career fumble recovery last week.

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Double-digit tackles each of his last four games.

Finalist for Jim Thorpe Award, for nation’s top DB. Has 15 tackles, 3.0 TFLs over last three games.

Third on team with 76 tackles.

Leads team with five interceptions.

available exclusively at Has made 3 of 5 field goals from 40 yards or longer.

MSU is fifth in SEC in net punting (39.8 average).

Averaging 24.2 yards on 11 returns, long of 49.

Averaging 9.3 yards on 11 returns.

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10F

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

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11F

Depth Chart: Rebels Based on the best pregame information available; subject to change.

OFFENSE

WR Ja-Mes Logan has been a frequent target in the Rebels’ last two games.

AP

WR 12 88 LT 70 61 LG 72 74 C 56 61 RG 76 68 RT 71 77 TE 17 45 WR 10 85 WR 85 28 QB 14 11 RB 1 3

DEFENSE E

DT NT

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Donte Moncrief (6-2, 217, So.) Cody Core (6-3, 191, Fr.) Emmanuel McCray (6-5, 319, Jr.) Derrick Wilson (6-3, 305, Jr.) Aaron Morris (6-5, 325, So.) Jared Duke (6-7, 354, Jr.) Evan Swindall (6-2, 300, Jr.) Ben Still (6-4, 295, Fr.) A.J. Hawkins (6-3, 315, Sr.) Justin Bell (6-3, 335, R-Fr.) Pierce Burton (6-7, 290, Jr.) Patrick Junen (6-6, 320, Jr.) Jamal Mosley (6-4, 260, Sr.) H.R. Greer (5-11, 222, Sr.) Vince Sanders (6-1, 190, So.) Ja-Mes Logan (6-2, 190, Jr.) Ja-Mes Logan (6-2, 190, Jr.) Korvic Neat (5-9, 164, Jr.) Bo Wallace (6-5, 210, So.) Barry Brunetti (6-0, 215, So.) Randall Mackey (5-11, 195, Sr.) Jeff Scott (5-7, 175 Jr.)

CB S FS CB

10 38 95 92 94 99 55 33 52 15 4 14 28 13 21 19 7 5 25 8 3 21

C.J. Johnson (6-1, 231, So.) Jason Jones (6-3, 255, Sr.) Bryon Bennett (6-2, 294, So.) Carlton Martin (6-2, 288, So.) Issac Gross (6-3, 270, Fr.) Gilbert Pena (6-2, 326, Sr.) Cameron Whigham (6-2, 255, Jr.) E.J. Epperson (6-3, 253, Sr.) Mike Marry (6-2, 248, Jr.) Joel Kight (5-9, 222, Sr.) Denzel Nkemdiche (5-10, 197, R-Fr.) Serderius Bryant (5-9, 223, So.) Mike Hilton (5-9, 175, Fr.) Brishen Mathews (6-0, 200, Jr.) Senquez Golson (5-9, 188, So.) Louis Covington (5-9, 162, Jr.) Trae Elston (6-0, 190, Fr.) Frank Crawford (6-1, 180, Jr.) Cody Prewitt (6-3, 210, So.) Chief Brown (6-0, 195, R-Fr.) Charles Sawyer (5-11, 175, Jr.) Senquez Golson (5-9, 188, So.)

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PK 81 P 82 KO 81 HO 94 LS 59 KOR 6 1 PR 28 22

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(5-11, 202, Sr.) (6-0, 183, Sr.) (5-11, 202, Sr.) (5-8, 190, Jr.) (5-10, 240, So.) (5-8, 167, Fr.) (5-11, 195, Sr.) (5-8, 160, Jr.) (5-9, 188, Jr.)

PARRISH ALFORD’S COMMENTS TD catches of 56, 30 yards at LSU. 11 starts this season.

11 starts this season, 15 of last 17 games at LG. 11 starts this season, 20 career starts.

11 starts this season; 27 career starts (15 at center).

11 starts this season for junior college transfer.

One catch, 3 yards at LSU. 14 catches, 195 yards, 2 TD’s last four games.

11 catches, 213 yards last two weeks.

284.8 passing yards a game over last six games.

Nine rushes, three catches against LSU.

Season sacks leader (4.5), missed most of LSU game.

Two tackles against LSU. Eight TFLs on the season.

Big hit briefly knocked LSU’s QB from game.

10 tackles, FR, QB pressure at LSU. Leads team with 12 TFLs. Missed a tackle at line, caught runner ... ... forced fumble last week.

Two INTs last week, both in third quarter.

10 tackles, one PBU at LSU. Four tackles at LSU. Left LSU game with shoulder injury, status unknown.

Only one FG attempt last week, missed from 53 yards.

Best punt at LSU, 51-yarder, returned 89 yards for TD. Three touchbacks on six kicks last week.

Gets the ball down quick and clean.

Consistent with his delivery.

Averaged less than 15 yards at LSU. Muffed punt led to LSU field goal last week.

Ole Miss on area radio: Amory, WAFM-FM (95.7); Corinth, WXRZ-FM (94.3); Holly Springs, WKRA-FM (92.7); Oxford, WQLJ-FM (93.7); Oxford/Water Valley, WTNM-FM (105.5) Tupelo, WWMR-FM (102.9).

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

DAILY JOURNAL

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

DAILY JOURNAL

Game is also recruiting battle for Magnolia State

BY JAMES JONES THE SUN HERALD (MCT)

Mississippi State continues to lead the battle for in-state recruits, but Ole Miss has closed the gap.

Several undecided prospects could choose between the winner of tonight’s Egg Bowl contest between the Bulldogs (8-3) and Rebels (5-6) at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

MSU coach Dan Mullen isn’t sure if the Egg Bowl winner will receive a big boost in recruiting.

“If this game had everything to do with recruiting, then we would have gotten every kid in the last three years,” Mullen said. “And I guess they would have gotten every kid the year before I got here. So, I don’t know that the outcome of this game always determines that. It will definitely give them bragging rights, but it just is what it is.”

Rebels coach Hugh Freeze disagrees.

“It’s always important in recruiting,” Freeze said. “I have seen it where the team that doesn’t win this game can convince players to join them to be the difference makers. In this rivalry game, it is important no doubt and will make the difference in some kids’ minds. I’ve also seen it where a few key kids want to come and play early and help change the outcome of the year before.

“I do think it would certainly help in recruiting kids leaning towards other schools.”

The Bulldogs got off to a fast start in the Class of 2013, getting high-profile players like Biloxi wide receiver Scott Austin, Columbus offensive tackle Jake Thomas, Starkville cornerback Gabe Myles and South Panola guard Deon Mix. MSU’s signing class is currently ranked 16th nationally by Scout.com and 26th at Rivals.com.

“In the end, I don’t think the outcome of one game will im-

ZACH ADAMS | ITAWAMBA COUNTY TIMES

Running back Ashton Shumpert of Itawamba AHS is one of the state’s top undecided prospects. He lists both Ole Miss and Mississippi State – along with Georgia and Vanderbilt – as possible destinations in 2013. pact the uncommitted prospects for 2013,” said Steve Robertson of Scout.com. “The winner will have some momentum heading into the next class, which looks to be a very talented group.

“At this point, I believe both Mississippi State and Ole Miss have achieved most of their onthe-field goals. MSU has continued to win and will head to its third straight bowl game. Freeze has shown improvement in Oxford. Even if the Rebels don’t make a bowl game, they are trending in a positive direction.”

But Ole Miss is rated five slots ahead of MSU by Rivals.com.

The Rebels are only ranked two

spots below the Bulldogs on Scout.com. The Rebels have come on strong under Freeze.

“It’s simple, effort,” Magnolia preps.com editor Lanny Mixon said. “Freeze and his staff are much more committed to the state of Mississippi than Houston Nutt was. Mississippi was never the first priority for Nutt, it seems to be for Freeze.”

Offensive linemen Daronte Bouldin (Canton) and Davion Johnson (Byhalia) and Jackson Prep quarterback Ryan Buchanan lead the Rebels’ talented in-state crop.

“I like what Hugh Freeze has done in-state especially with guys like Derrick Jones and Trey

Bledsoe,” Robertson said.

“Freeze appears determined to give the players in Mississippi a real chance to be a part of that program.”

THE UNDECIDEDS

The top two players on the Sun Herald’s Top 25 recruiting list are undecided: South Panola safety Darion Conner and Itawamba AHS running back Ashton Shumpert.

Conner has kept a low profile all season long, but Scout.com reports Ole Miss is the frontrunner ahead of Alabama.

Ole Miss has a solid track of landing South Panola players because its campus is 30 miles

from Batesville.

Shumpert, who could also play safety in college, has the Rebels, Bulldogs, Georgia and Vanderbilt as his top choices.

When it comes to national recruiting, Ole Miss has the edge.

The nation’s top-ranked recruit, defensive end Robert Nkemdiche of Loganville (Ga.), has the Rebels among his top choices, along with Alabama, LSU and Clemson. His older brother, Denzel, is a starting linebacker at Ole Miss.

Ole Miss landed a verbal from Hargrave Military Academy (Va.) offensive tackle Brandon Hill, who originally committed to Alabama out of high school.

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12F

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

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13F

QB Favor wants to end tough season on high note

BY TIM DOHERTY HATTIESBURG AMERICAN

For most of a dismal 2012 football season, the Golden Eagles’ offense had been stuck in neutral because it SOUTHERN MISS could not AT MEMPHIS settle on a quarterback that could provide a consistent passing threat to keep opposing defenses honest.

Enter Arsenio Favor.

The sophomore from Montgomery, Ala., has provided a spark under center in the two games that he has started, owning both of the Golden Eagles’ best passing days of the fall.

Favor will make his third start of the season and his second in a row today when the Golden Eagles (0-11, 0-7 Conference USA) visit Memphis (3-8, 3-4).

Favor, who missed the majority of the spring and all the preseason while recovering from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his knee, was cleared for full contact only about Favor five weeks ago.

He started his first game, against Rice on Oct. 27, less than two weeks after his return. With only four days of full repetitions with the first team, Favor threw for what was then a season-high by a USM quarterback, 256 yards, in USM’s 44-17 loss to the Owls.

He erased his own mark three games later, lighting up UTEP for 374 yards and two TDs in last week’s 34-33 loss to the Miners.

The Golden Eagles rolled to a season-high 532 yards total offense.

Favor, who appeared in seven games as the backup to Austin

Davis last season, completed one pass in three attempts for 8 yards, rushing 12 times for 42 yards and a touchdown.

“Everybody thinks I’m run-first guy,” Favor said, smiling. “Last year, when I got in, it was just kill the clock, basically. Stay in bounds, kill the clock.

“I know I got some people’s attention because I’ve been having all kinds of people telling me, ‘I didn’t know you had it like that.’

I’m hoping that we can get keep that going.”

Favor has appeared in four games, completing 30 of 49 passes for 567 yards and two TDs with three interceptions. He also has rushed 37 times for 128 yards and three touchdowns.

Head coach Ellis Johnson said Favor’s play last Saturday, when

USM surpassed its previous best offensive game by 108 yards, was quite an effort from a player still trying to get a good grasp of the playbook.

“He’s still not even totally comfortable with the offense,” Johnson said. “I thought he did a heck of a job the other night, especially getting the ball downfield. It’s something we haven’t done well this year and it gave us a chance to produce on offense.”

ON TARGET

Favor hit seven passes of 20 yards or better, including five of 40 yards or more. He threw touchdowns of 81 yards to Quentin Pierce and 41 yards to Dominic Sullivan. He also had an interception that set up a 15-yard touchdown drive by the Miners.

“We caught the ball better and we threw the ball better,” USM of-

fensive coordinator Steve Buckley said. “That was the biggest difference.”

All has not been roses for Favor.

Against Rice, Favor threw two interceptions, including one returned 75 yards for a score. He also lost a fumble just outside the Owls’ red zone.

He didn’t start the next game against UAB after freshman Anthony Alford returned from turf toe, and then Favor was suspended for USM’s game at Southern Methodist for an unspecified violation of team rules.

Injuries to Alford and junior Chris Campbell against the Mustangs gave Favor another chance.

“I’m trying to send the boys out on a positive note,” Favor said of USM’s 18 seniors. “It’s probably the last football game you’ll ever play, and the way you’ll remember it, is either good or bad.”

TODAY’S GAME AT A GLANCE

Sales and Service

1941 MCCULLOUGH BLVD • TUPELO • 662.84 4.7676

Where: Liberty Bowl (61,000), Memphis Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. TV: CSS. Records: Southern Miss 0-11 (0-7), Memphis 3-8 (3-4) Series: Southern Miss 40-21-1 Last year: Southern Miss, 44-7 Coaches – Southern Miss: Ellis Johnson, 17-39 overall (fifth season), 0-11 at Southern Miss; Memphis: Justin Fuente, 3-8 (first season).

Statistical leaders – Southern Miss: RB Desmond Johnson 98519-3; QB Arsenio Favor 30 of 49, 567 yards passing, 2 TDs, 3 INTs (four games, two starts); WR Tracy Lampley 19-330-0, Francisco Llanos 20-226-0; LB Jamie Collins 88 tackles (62 solo), 20.0 TFLs, 10.0 sacks, 5 pass breakups. Memphis: RB Brandon Hayes 99-461-4, RB Jai Steib 103-338-4; QB Jacob Karam 164-256, 1,733 yards passing 12 TDs, 3 INTs, WR Marcus Rucker 45-512-3, WR Keiwone Malone 44-476-3; LB Charles Harris 74 tackles (17 solo), .5 TFL. Trends: Southern Miss has won the last three games in this series by an average score of 40-14.

Notes: The last winless season for Southern Miss came in 1925, when the team went 0-6. ... Arsenio Favor gets the start at QB today, coming off a 374-yard effort against UTEP that’s the fifthbest passing game in school history ... The four players who have started at quarterback for Southern Miss this season have combined for six touchdowns against 12 interceptions. The Golden Eagles’ foes have a 21 TDs against five pickoffs. ...

Jaquise Cook of Ripley is listed as the second-team running back (16-66-0) for Memphis.

Summing it up: “Obviously, nobody counted on having to go through this experience. There are no excuses, but there are reasons.” – Ellis Johnson, Southern Miss head coach.

Prediction: Memphis, 27-24.

John L. Pitts

SOUTHERN MISS S1 S8 S15 S22 S29 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10 N17 N24

southernmiss.com at Nebraska L, 49-20 Open date East Carolina L, 24-14 at Western Ky. L, 42-17 Louisville L, 21-17 Boise State L, 40-14 at UCF, 2OT L, 38-31 Marshall L, 59-24 at Rice L, 44-17 UAB L, 19-27 at SMU L, 34-6 UTEP L, 34-33 at Memphis, 3:30 p.m.

S1 S8 S15 S22 S29 O8 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10 N17 N24

www.gotigersgo.com UT-Martin L, 20-17 at Arkansas St. L, 33-28 Middle Tennessee L, 48-30 at Duke L, 38-14 Open date Rice W, 14-10 at East Carolina L, 41-7 UCF L, 35-17 at SMU L, 44-13 at Marshall L, 38-28 Tulane W, 37-23 at UAB W, 46-9 Southern Miss, 3:30 p.m.

MEMPHIS

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

DAILY JOURNAL

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

NO. 1 NOTRE DAME AT SOUTHERN CAL

SERIES: Notre Dame, 43-35-5.

THE BUZZ: Notre Dame is on the brink of a trip to the BCS title game, needing only a win in the Coliseum to wrap up the spot. Southern Cal could only gain a measure of solace from a hugely disappointing season by ruining the Irish dream season.

KEY MATCHUP: USC WR Marqise Lee vs. Notre Dame CB Bennett Jackson. Lee could improve his Biletnikoff Award hopes with one more monster game. Jackson is a converted receiver who will be tested all night.

FAST FACTS: USC quarterback Matt Barkley will watch his final regular-season game from the sideline with a sprained shoulder. ... USC has won nine of the schools’ last 10 meetings, losing only in 2010 when Trojans WR Ronald Johnson dropped a sure TD pass in the final minutes of a 20-16 win for Notre Dame. ... Notre Dame has brought the No. 1 ranking to the Coliseum six times, with USC winning two of those. The Irish haven’t been No. 1 in this game since 1989. ... USC is 7-11 against all No. 1 opponents.

NO. 20 MICHIGAN AT NO. 4 OHIO STATE

SERIES: Michigan, 58-43-6.

THE BUZZ: Ohio State can clinch only the sixth unbeaten, untied season in its 123 years of football with a win, while preserving an outside shot at an Associated Press poll championship.

Michigan can still play in the Big Ten title game against Nebraska with a win and a loss by Nebraska at Iowa, and can also get into a better bowl game.

KEY MATCHUP: Ohio State QB Braxton Miller vs. the Michigan defense. The Wolverines are No. 1 in the nation in pass defense (152 ypg) and Mill has looked shaky at times this season.

FAST FACTS: Ohio State had won the last seven meetings (the 2010 victory was vacated) before Michigan’s 40-34 win in Ann Arbor last season – a game the Buckeyes, who finished a woeful 6-7, could easily have won with a late TD. ... Michigan is 18-0 under second-year head coach Brady Hoke when scoring 20 or more points, 1-5 when under 20. The Buckeyes give up 23 points a game. ... The Wolverines gave the Buckeyes their first loss in 1969, ’95 and ’96.

DAILY JOURNAL

NO. 5 OREGON AT NO. 16 OREGON STATE

SERIES: Oregon, 59-46-10.

THE BUZZ: Oregon got derailed on its way to the Pac-12 championship game last week with a 17-14 loss to Stanford. The Ducks can still go to the league title game, but they’ll have to beat Oregon State and they’ll need Pac12 South winner UCLA to beat Stanford today at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.

KEY MATCHUP: Oregon’s offense against Oregon State’s defense. Oregon has the fourth-ranked offense in the country (548.3 ypg), and the fifth-best rushing offense (313.5 ypg). The Beavers, meanwhile, have the nation’s No. 14 rushing defense (108.7 ypg).

FAST FACTS: It’s the 116th playing of the Civil War rivalry game, the most contested rivalry game in the Pac-12. ...

The Beavers have been ranked in the AP Top 25 for a school-record nine weeks. ... It is the fourth time that both teams are ranked for the Civil War, the last was in 2009, when Oregon was No. 7 and Oregon State was No. 13. ...

Oregon RB Kenjon Barner needs two rushing TDs to tie LaMichael James’ school single-season mark of 21.

NO. 11 STANFORD AT NO. 15 UCLA

SERIES: UCLA, 45-34-3.

THE BUZZ: After enormous victories for both teams last weekend, UCLA and Stanford could be meeting twice in a seven-day span.

The Bruins have clinched the Pac-12 South, while the Cardinal can wrap up the North by beating UCLA or if Oregon loses to Oregon State. Unless Stanford loses and Oregon wins, the Bruins and the Cardinal will meet again next Friday to decide the league title.

KEY MATCHUP: Stanford QB Kevin Hogan vs. UCLA LB Anthony Barr. Hogan is making his third consecutive start, all against ranked opponents. Barr is fourth in the nation in sacks.

FAST FACTS: UCLA is on a fivegame winning streak, its longest unbeaten run since 2005. ... Stanford leads the FBS in rushing defense, while UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin is the school’s career rushing leader and a finalist for the Doak Walker Award. ... A win would Stanford three straight 10win seasons for the first time in school history. ... The Cardinal have won three straight over the Bruins.

NO. 22 OKLAHOMA STATE AT NO. 14 OKLAHOMA

SERIES: Oklahoma, 81-18-7 (includes a 1972 Oklahoma forfeit) THE BUZZ: While trying to stay in position for at least a share of the Big 12 championship, Oklahoma will attempt to regain bragging rights in the rivalry.

Oklahoma State, which won the outright Big 12 crown after blowing out the Sooners 44-10 last season, also has an outside shot at splitting the B12 title.

KEY MATCHUP: Oklahoma State offense vs. Oklahoma defense. The Sooners gave up a school-record 778 yards in a 50-49 victory at West Virginia last week, and the Cowboys rank third in the nation in scoring and total yardage .

FAST FACTS: Coach Mike Gundy has said QB Clint Chelf will make his third career start for Oklahoma State, following back-to-back wins against West Virginia and Texas Tech. ... The Cowboys have scored special teams touchdowns in three straight games. ... WR Kenny Stills tied a school record by catching four of Jones’ touchdown passes last week. It was the most ever by a Sooners wide receiver.

AP

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14F

Irish trying to turn USC rivalry their way

BY RALPH D. RUSSO ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Notre Dame-Southern Cal rivalry has been defined by dominance over the last four decades.

Two of college football’s most celebrated teams have alternated long runs of success in the series that have coincided with the ups and downs of the programs.

When the Fighting Irish and Trojans meet for the 84th time today in the Los Angeles ColiTOP 25 seum, Notre Dame PREVIEW will be playing for a spot in the national championship while USC will be trying to salvage a disappointing season.

The Irish appear primed to turn the rivalry back in their direction after a decade of USC ownership.

During Southern California’s most recent dynasty, coach Pete Carroll’s Trojans reeled off eight straight victories against the Irish from 2002-09, the longest winning streak by USC in the series.

In 2010, Brian Kelly’s first season as Notre Dame coach, the Irish snapped that streak, 20-16, with the help of a memorable dropped pass that would have been a sure touchdown. USC came right back and won last season in South Bend, Ind., 31-17, to make it nine out of 10.

“Well, it’s not a great rivalry right now,” Kelly said this week. “We haven’t won enough games.

They’ve had the upper hand on this. We need to make this a rivalry.”

From the mid-80s through the mid-90s, it was USC that was trying to make it a rivalry. As USC struggled to hold its place among the elite programs in college football, the Irish often contended for national titles under Lou Holtz and went 12-0-1 against the Trojans.

That number helps explain the relatively short tenures of coaches Ted Tollner (1983-86) and Larry Smith (1987-92) at USC. Lane Kiffin is hoping his USC ca-

reer is more like Carroll’s than Smith’s, but it has certainly been a tough season for the Trojans. They started the season, their first after a two-year, NCAA-imposed postseason ban, ranked No. 1, and with the presumptive Heisman Trophy front-runner in senior star quarterback Matt Barkley.

TROJAN MELTDOWN

Maybe expectations were too high for a team that lacked depth and had some question marks on both lines. But few would have predicted that USC would head into its finale against Notre Dame 7-4 and unranked. Even more startling is that it’s Notre Dame that will take the field today as the unbeaten No. 1 team in the country, two victories from its first national championship since 1988.

The Fighting Irish started the season unranked. The last team to start out of the rankings and reach No. 1 was Missouri in 2007. The Tigers lost their final game before the bowls, falling to Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game, and lost a chance to play for the national title.

But maybe we shouldn’t be so surprised about the Irish. Holtz, Dan Devine, Ara Parseghian and Frank Leahy all won national championships in their third season as Notre Dame coach, all beating USC along the way.

RUSSO’S PICKS

No. 1 Notre Dame 24, Southern Cal 14 No. 2 Alabama 35, Auburn 0 No. 3 Georgia 51, Georgia Tech 28 No. 4 Ohio State 27, No. 20 Michigan 20 No. 5 Oregon 45, No. 16 Oregon State 24 No. 10 Florida State 17, No. 6 Florida 13 No. 9 Texas A&M 45, Missouri 21 No. 15 UCLA 27, No. 11 Stanford 24 No. 13 So. Carolina 38, No. 12 Clemson 31 No. 14 Oklahoma 38, No. 22 Okla. State 24 No. 19 Louisville 28, UConn 13 No. 21 Rutgers 20, Pittsburgh 17 Ole Miss 28, No. 25 Mississippi State 24 No. 25 Utah State 48, Idaho 7.

Last week: 15-6 Season: 197-43

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

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15F

TODAY’S NATIONAL SCHEDULE EAST

Rutgers (9-1) at Pittsburgh (4-6), 11 a.m.

Wisconsin (7-4) at Penn St. (7-4), 2:30 p.m.

SOUTH

Georgia Tech (6-5) at Georgia (10-1), 11 a.m.

UConn (4-6) at Louisville (9-1), 11 a.m.

UAB (3-8) at UCF (8-3), 11 a.m.

Virginia (4-7) at Virginia Tech (5-6), 11 a.m.

Kentucky (2-9) at Tennessee (4-7), 11:21 a.m.

Miami (6-5) at Duke (6-5), 11:30 a.m.

North Texas (4-7) at Western Kentucky (6-5), noon Grambling St. (1-9) vs. Southern U. (3-7) at New Orleans, 2:30 p.m.

Boston College (2-9) at NC State (6-5), 2 p.m.

Maryland (4-7) at North Carolina (7-4), 2 p.m.

Auburn (3-8) at Alabama (10-1), 2:30 p.m.

Florida (10-1) at Florida St. (10-1), 2:30 p.m.

Troy (5-6) at Middle Tennessee (7-3), 2:30 p.m.

Vanderbilt (7-4) at Wake Forest (5-6), 2:30 p.m.

Southern Miss (0-11) at Memphis (3-8), 3:30 p.m.

South Alabama (2-9) at Louisiana-Lafayette (6-4), 4 p.m.

Louisiana-Monroe (7-4) at FIU (3-8), 5 p.m.

South Carolina (9-2) at Clemson (10-1), 6 p.m.

Mississippi St. (8-3) at Ole Miss (5-6), 6 p.m.

MIDWEST

Illinois (2-9) at Northwestern (8-3), 11 a.m.

Michigan (8-3) at Ohio St. (11-0), 11 a.m.

Indiana (4-7) at Purdue (5-6), 11 a.m.

Michigan St. (5-6) at Minnesota (6-5), 2:30 p.m.

SOUTHWEST

Tulsa (9-2) at SMU (5-6), 11 a.m.

Texas St. (3-7) at UTSA (7-4), 21 p.m.

Texas Tech (7-4) vs. Baylor (5-5) at Arlington, Texas, 1:30 p.m.

Tulane (2-9) at Houston (4-7), 2:30 p.m.

Oklahoma St. (7-3) at Oklahoma (8-2), 2:30 p.m.

Missouri (5-6) at Texas A&M (9-2), 6 p.m.

Rice (5-6) at UTEP (3-8), 6 p.m.

FAR WEST

Idaho (1-10) at Utah St. (9-2), 2 p.m.

Air Force (6-5) at Fresno St. (8-3), 2:30 p.m.

BYU (6-5) at New Mexico St. (1-9), 2:30 p.m.

Oregon (10-1) at Oregon St. (8-2), 2:30 p.m.

San Diego St. (8-3) at Wyoming (4-7), 2:30 p.m.

Stanford (9-2) at UCLA (9-2), 5:30 p.m.

New Mexico (4-8) at Colorado St. (3-8), 6 p.m.

Notre Dame (11-0) at Southern Cal (7-4), 7 p.m.

Louisiana Tech (9-2) at San Jose St. (9-2), 9:30 p.m.

UNLV (2-10) at Hawaii (1-9), 10 p.m.

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION

First-round games Colgate (8-3) at Wagner (8-3), 11 a.m.

Coastal Carolina (7-4) at Bethune-Cookman (9-2), 1 p.m.

Eastern Illinois (7-4) at South Dakota State (8-3), 2 p.m.

Villanova (8-3) at Stony Brook (9-2), 2 p.m.

Second Round Saturday, Dec. 1 New Hampshire (8-3) at Wofford (8-3), 1 p.m.

Central Arkansas (9-2) at Georgia Southern (8-3), 1 p.m.

Coastal Carolina-Bethune-Cookman winner at Old Dominion (10-1), 1 p.m.

Illinois State (8-3) at Appalachian State (8-3),1 p.m.

Cal Poly (9-2) at Sam Houston State (8-3), 3 p.m.

Eastern Illinois-South Dakota State winner at North Dakota State (10-1), 3 p.m.

Colgate-Wagner winner at Eastern Wash. (9-2), 5 p.m.

Villanova-S. Brook winner at Montana State (10-1), 6 p.m.

NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFFS

Second-round games West Texas A&M (10-2) at Ashland (11-0), 10 a.m.

Indiana, Pa. (11-1) at New Haven (10-0), 11 a.m.

West Alabama (9-3) at Valdosta State (8-2), 11 a.m.

Lenior-Rhyne (9-2) at Carson-Newman (8-2), 11 a.m.

Shippensburg (11-1) at Winston-Salem (11-0), noon NW Missouri State (10-2) at Minn.-Mankato (11-0), noon Missouri Western (11-1) at Henderson State (10-0), noon Indianapolis (10-2) at Colo. State-Pueblo (11-0), 1 p.m.

NCAA DIVISION III PLAYOFFS

Second-round games Wittenberg (10-1) at Hobart (11-0), 11 a.m.

Salisbury (9-2) at Widener (10-0) vs. 11 a.m.

Johns Hopkins (10-1) at Mount Union (11-0), 11 a.m.

Cortland State (9-1) vs. Wesley (9-1), 11 a.m.

Bethel, Minn. (9-2) vs. Wisconsin-Oshkosh (11-0), noon St. Thomas, Minn. (11-0) at Elmhurst (10-1), noon Franklin (9-2) at Mary Hardin-Baylor (11-0) vs. noon North Central, Ill. (9-2) at Linfield (10-0), 2 p.m.

NAIA PLAYOFFS

Quarterfinals St. Francis, Ind. (9-2) at Marian, Ind. (9-1), noon Southern Ore. (9-2) at Morningside, Iowa (11-0), noon Bethel, Tenn. (9-3) at Missouri Valley (11-0), 1 p.m.

Cumberlands, Ky. (10-1) at St. Xavier, Ill. (10-1), 1 p.m.

Times converted to Central

There’s more college football coverage at our website, including a link to our new college football page: collegefootball.ap.org/djournal

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

DAILY JOURNAL

16F | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012

GAMEDAY: WEEK 13

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DAILY JOURNAL