Following a 6-7 Season Three campaign, Ole Miss head coach Dork retired from the gridiron, leaving the Rebels coachless. After an extensive search, the Rebels hired former Sacred Heart and Army coach Fellas Naki, the Rebels look to rejuvenate the program. Coach Naki compiled a 20-9 record at the FCS level (including post-season tournaments). Naki’s Pioneers went to the America East Championship game in their inaugural season but fell to Stony Brook, led by the newly appointed Oregon State Coach Keyo. This upcoming season is a chance at a new leaf for both the Rebels and their coach, whose season at Army was marred by issues above the game. Season Four is a year for the Rebels to see their future moving forward- and even be a surprise force in the SEC.

Preseason Scrimmages with Virginia

Before beginning their season four campaign, Ole Miss and Coach Naki negotiated a series of scrimmage games against nearby ACC team Virginia, under their new coach, Lancer. These scrimmages occurred at the Ole Miss practice facility on campus. The first game was tightly contested- with Rebels quarterback Matt Corral throwing for 480 yards as the Rebels put up 59 points. The Rebels also had 220 yards on the ground- and finished with 700 yards on the day. The Landsharks on Defense surged early, holding Virginia to two touchdowns and a field goal as the Rebels took a 24-17 lead into the half, however, they struggled to get into gear in the second half, allowing 28 in the third quarter alone. The teams combined for 49 points in the third quarter. Ole Miss won the first game, 59-53.

The Landsharks would step up in the next two games- holding Virginia to 17 total points, as Ole Miss would outscore the Cavaliers 73-17 (28-7, 45-10). The Rebel defense was anchored by KD Hill, who recorded 15 tackle, as well as 5 sacks for the Rebels. “He was unstoppable” Coach Naki proclaimed afterward. “A wrecking ball on the line. I’m excited to see him play this season”. KD Hill anchors a young Rebels defensive line, after beating out a pair of upperclassman for the starting spot. Coach Naki has picked out Hill to be a player to watch this season.

The Grove Bowl

The main story on the field for the Rebels this upcoming season is going to be the quarterback battle between sophomores John Rhys-Plumlee and Matt Corral. Plumlee, the former 4-star recruit from Hattiesburg Ms., was favored for his scrambling ability off the ball. Out of high school, he had offers from teams ranging from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to the Alabama Crimson Tide, but eventually signed with the Rebels. Matt Corral, on the other hand, has the advantage in his ability to throw, and his ability to measure the game, a representative for Coach Naki told the Fake Ole Miss media team.

The deciding factor would be the day Vaught-Hemingway Stadium opened for the first time- the Grove Bowl, Ole Miss’ spring game (Played under XFL rules)- where two rosters were randomly drafted by Naki’s staff. Coach Naki would coach the Blue team, while defensive coordinator Richard Northstar, one of the assistants who came with Coach Naki from Sacred Heart, would man the Red team. White would run a conventional offense headed by Matt Corral and jump out to an early 12-0 lead early in the first. As the game wore on, however, John Rhys-Plumlee and the Blue offense ran a non-traditional Ole Miss offense, focussing on the run game. Coach Naki introduced several types of options, and all of a sudden, Blue was up to a 16-12 lead at the half. A pick-six by Corral would put the Rebels up 24-12, and from there it was never a question. The speed possessed by starting RB Scottie Philips, along with Plumlee, was too much for White to handle, and Blue won the day 40-28.

John Rhys-Plumlee will start Ole Miss’ opening day matchup against Cincinnati.

Final Media Day Preparations

With the preseason festivities out of the way, it was time for Media Day. Before this, however, Naki caught up with 12:12 Radio and took calls from fans across the south.

Caller ID: Stanley Smith, Biloxi Miss.: “Coach Naki, how are you gonna wrangle these fellers into a winning team”

“Stanley, if anyone knows how to wrangle some fellas, it would be me. Hotty Toddy!”

Caller ID: DeColdest Toevacallin, Clarksville, TN.: How do you plan to win games when Jake is up to his usual rigging?

“Well, fella, we’re gonna play with heart for all 28 minutes every week. Wins will come, and so will defeats. Our season will be defined by how we bounce back from our inevitable downfalls.

Caller ID: Kay Oh, Long Island, NY: “Ay brah, ready to get smacked by the Beavs week two brah? Keyo’s got yah numbah brah.”

“I can assure you, we will not get smacked by Keyo. Even if it is not a victory in our favor, Keyo and I’s games have been intense from bell to bell, fella”

Media Day

Coach Naki would take questions from reporters across FCFB a couple of nights before opening day.

Media Day Interviews:

“What are reasonable expectations for your fans to have this season?”

“This season, I want to be a competitive team. I recognize that we will not win every single game- it’s a nearly impossible feat. But what I want to do is inspire these fellas in Oxford, and be a team that you always have to be ready for. I want Ole Miss to be known as a team you can’t ever sleep on”

“Will Ole Miss win the SEC?”

“Ideally? Yes. Actually? We’ll see in 12 weeks.”

“How bad are you gonna beat Alabama?”

“I won’t get too far ahead of myself. The only way to take the season is one week at a time. We’re chomping at the bit to give the home crowd a show in our first game against Cincy in week one.”

“What’s the meal plan the night before a big game?”

“That’s for the team trainers to decide, in regards to the players, and not me. My meal the night before is usually grilling myself and my staff some burgers, but I won’t lie and say I haven’t ordered some Chinese takeout in the past. I’ll have to look for any good places in Oxford.”

“Any plans after this season? I’ve heard rumors of a PAC-12 job for you from credible sources”

“No comment on post-season plans. Any rumors do nothing to serve the team and Rebel Nation.”

“What game are you circling on the schedule as a must-win?”

“We have Oregon State circled, on Veterans Night. Keyo and I have a long history, and the Rebels are looking to send the Beavs home with a loss. We’re also excited to play Memphis at their house, and look to end their aura of invincibility. Hotty Toddy, everyone, I’m going home, have a nice night!”

Wednesday, March 25: Ole Miss hosts Cincinnati on opening day