Sports betting site handicappers are absolutely perplexed and frustrated with the Ole Miss Rebels after their second upset loss in three games to start the season.
A Disturbing Start
Ole Miss lost to a Vanderbilt team that was picked for the basement of the SEC 28-14 last week as the failed to cover the spread as 11.5-point home favorites. When you add in the Rebels opening day 49-48 overtime loss to 1-AA Jacksonville State you have a pattern of sloppy play that is turning off gamblers in droves. Ole Miss now stands at 1-2 straight up and 0-3 against the spread as they failed to even cover their lone straight up win in week two at Tulane in a 27-13 win as 20.5-point sports betting favorites.
Houston Nutt Losing Public Confidence
Houston Nutt arrived at Ole Miss after basically being run out of Arkansas. While he was a winner at Arkansas he also presided over a program that would build up the hopes of fans only to then lose to inferior opponents, much as has been the case this year at Oxford. Nutt comes off to many handicappers and fans as erratic and eccentric while not being completely in command. The two losses this year remind everyone why he was shown the door in Arkansas. After back-to-back 9 win seasons that ended with Cotton Bowl wins Nutt’s seat is getting warmer.
Masoli Karma
In a highly controversial decision Nutt decided to bring former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to the program right before training camp started. Masoli was an elite player for the Ducks and led them to the Rose Bowl last year but also was kicked off the team for many rules violations and brushes with the law. But his arrival at Ole Miss did spark interest with gamblers at Sbg global. Masoli has thrown just 1 touchdown pass with 4 interceptions so far and his presence appears to have disrupted team harmony and made Nutt look desperate.
A Tough Road Ahead
It won’t get any easier for the Rebels, who rank in the middle of the pack for both total offense and defense. They will host Fresno State this week and are slight 2.5-point sports betting site favorites, against a team that is known for being a BCS killer and prone for major upset wins.