SHADES OF 2003: Rebels, Hogs Share Similar Storylines From 20 Years Prior

Can the Ole Miss Rebels regain some defensive strength against a scuffling Arkansas team this week? The 2003 team managed to do just that.

In 2003, the Ole Miss Rebels were in a situation similar to today.

Ole Miss welcomed the No. 21 Arkansas Razorbacks to Oxford on Oct. 25, 2003. The Rebels' defense had been an issue in recent weeks, but an offense led by senior quarterback Eli Manning had gotten the job done, including a road win in Tuscaloosa over the Alabama Crimson Tide a week prior. 

Arkansas, losers of back-to-back games, still carried a number beside its name in the AP Poll, but the hobbled Hogs were going to be without some key offensive weapons, including leading rusher Cedric Cobbs.

This meeting between the Rebels and Razorbacks was not characterized by offense, however. Despite defensive struggles early in the season, Ole Miss had what it needed to get back on track: a short-handed Arkansas offense.

David Cutcliffe's Rebels held a 10-7 advantage at halftime, and they would go on to secure a 19-7 win behind four Jonathan Nichols field goals and a defensive shutout pitched in the second half. With the win, Ole Miss improved to 6-2 on the year and sat in first place in the SEC West, a half-game ahead of LSU and Auburn.

"Tonight was the defense's night and man did they do it," Ole Miss coach David Cutcliffe said following the win. 

The 2003 Ole Miss Rebels were led by quarterback Eli Manning who helped bring his team to a 10-win season and Cotton Bowl championship. (Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics)

This weekend, Ole Miss is the ranked team at home (No. 16), but some of these storylines are the same. The Rebels struggled defensively last week, although they did claim a 55-49 win over an SEC West rival in LSU. Arkansas has been hampered with injuries, but it is expected that running back Raheim "Rocket" Sanders will once again take the field after dealing with a knee injury earlier in the year.

Then, of course, there's the conference race aspect of the game. Arkansas has stumbled recently, dropping three-straight games to BYU, LSU and Texas A&M. The Rebels kept their SEC West hopes alive with last week's win over LSU, but, like in 2003, there are areas that need to be cleaned up as the Hogs come to town, even with a strong quarterback in Jaxson Dart at the helm.

Can Ole Miss' defense regain its identity against a scuffling Arkansas team? Perhaps it should look to the 2003 Rebels (who finished with a 10-win season) as inspiration.