Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

FACTS & STATS: Site: Vaught-Hemingway (50,577) -- Oxford, Mississippi. Television: CSS. Home Record: Louisiana Tech 2-2, Ole Miss 1-4. Away Record: Louisiana Tech 3-2, Ole Miss 1-3. Neutral Record: Louisiana Tech 0-0, Ole Miss 0-0. Conference Record: Louisiana Tech 4-1, Ole Miss 0-6. Series Record: Ole Miss leads, 8-1.

GAME NOTES: The Ole Miss Rebels take a break from SEC play to tangle with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs of the Western Athletic Conference.

Louisiana Tech is on a major roll, as it has posted four consecutive wins to completely resurrect a season that began with four losses through five outings. At 5-4, the Bulldogs need just one win in their next three games to earn bowl eligibility, and they are still very much alive in the race for the WAC title.

Four consecutive losses have dropped Ole Miss to 2-7 overall, and many of the losses have been lopsided. Many expected a close game between the Rebels and the Wildcats of Kentucky last weekend, but the result was a 31-13 defeat. It was announced on Monday that head coach Houston Nutt would not be retained after this season, but he will be permitted to finish out the campaign as the Rebels' leader.

"My time at Ole Miss has been very special, and I've enjoyed working with a wonderful group of athletes and the Ole Miss community at large," Nutt said. "Change is never easy, but I understand why it's necessary. My attention is on finishing out the 2011 season and winning this Saturday."

Ole Miss owns an 8-1 series lead over Louisiana Tech, which includes a victory over the Bulldogs in the most recent matchup back in 2007.

The Bulldogs are a potent offensive team that averages 30.2 ppg and 398.8 total ypg. They have already posted 31 offensive touchdowns, and the fact that 17 of the scores have been of the rushing variety is a bit surprising when considering the club's average of 3.6 yards per rushing attempt. Colby Cameron has taken over as the team's QB in recent weeks, and the fact that he has thrown six TDs without a single interception suggests that he is a major upgrade over Nick Isham. Quinton Patton is a star on the outside, as the WR has made 61 catches for 886 yards and nine TDs through nine games. As for the ground attack, Lennon Creer has run for 815 yards and nine of his own scores.

Opponents are scoring 27.0 ppg against Louisiana Tech, which is permitting 383.0 total ypg. The run defense has been strong to date, limiting foes to 102.7 ypg at a clip of just 3.2 yards per attempt. Slowing down the pass hasn't been as easy, as the club is yielding 280.3 ypg through the air with 18 passing scores surrendered. A player to watch for Tech is Adrien Cole, as he leads his team with 81 total tackles, including eight TFL.

Last week, Louisiana Tech stomped Fresno State by a 41-21 final, and Cameron was brilliant in that affair, completing 19-of-33 passes for 376 yards with four TDs and no interceptions. Patton hauled in six receptions for 97 yards and two scores, while Creer ran for 113 yards and a TD. Defensively, the Bulldogs did surrender 290 passing yards and three touchdowns, but two interceptions and three sacks certainly helped the cause.

Ole Miss actually held a 13-10 lead over Kentucky heading into the fourth quarter of last week's game, but the Wildcats outscored the Rebels 20-0 over the final 15 minutes. A normally stagnant Ole Miss offense actually posted a solid total of 392 yards, but just one touchdown was notched in nearly 32 minutes of offensive action. Randall Mackey completed a mere 14-of-29 passes for 197 yards with three sacks and one INT, numbers that overshadowed his lone TD pass. Defensively, the Rebels yielded four touchdowns and 398 total yards.

The Rebels are scoring 20.0 ppg and 295.7 total ypg this season, numbers that won't scare anyone. They are managing a mere 3.5 rushing yards per carry and have barely completed half of their passes to date. Mackey has completed 51.8 percent of his passes for 1,006 yards and six touchdowns with five interceptions, and Donte Moncrief paces the receivers with 23 catches for 406 yards and four TDs. As for Jeff Scott, he has rushed for 503 yards and six scores.

Opponents are scoring 30.6 ppg against a weak Rebel defense that surrenders 434.1 total ypg. Ole Miss is permitting over 210 ypg both rushing and receiving, so there is obvious room for improvement against both means of attack. Charles Sawyer has intercepted four passes to pace Ole Miss.

Although Ole Miss plays in a far more prestigious conference than Louisiana Tech and also has the advantage of playing at home, the edge goes to the visitors. The Bulldogs can run and pass effectively, while the Rebels often cannot do either.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Louisiana Tech 31, Ole Miss 23