Rebel Football 2010 update

Well I heard the news on the radio this morning that Masoli was in fact not going to be cleared to play for the Rebs this season. Some unfortunate news for the Rebel faithful as I felt like he was going to have a strong impact on this years team and the results of the season. I have no idea why the NCAA waited so long to rule on this, but it kinda hit the squad at a bad time as the season is about to get underway. Here is a little snip of the arcticle via olemisssports.com ........

Ole Miss appealed an NCAA waiver decision Tuesday that would restrict Jeremiah Masoli from playing football for the Rebels until 2011.

The Ole Miss appeal of the NCAA staff’s decision will now be reviewed by an NCAA subcommittee, which is comprised of athletics directors, faculty athletics representatives and other administrators from NCAA member institutions. A response could be expected as early as Friday but no later than one week. “We are not aware of any case precedence to support their reasons,” said Pete Boone, Ole Miss athletics director.

“Jeremiah complied with the requirements under which other waivers were granted.
“It is our opinion that the decision was subjective and not weighted toward the best interest and opportunity of the student-athlete. We hope that the members of the subcommittee on appeals will see the reasons are favorable and for the benefit of Jeremiah.”

NCAA rules require that student-athletes in the sports of baseball, basketball and football sit out one year before being permitted to compete. Student-athletes who have graduated may receive a waiver to the one year residency requirements, provided they have been accepted into a graduate program and it is demonstrated that the transfer was for academic rather than athletic reasons.

In its rulings, the NCAA concluded that Masoli’s transfer was motivated because he had been dismissed from the team for the 2010 season and therefore was not for academic reasons.

“There is no requirement that says a student-athlete must be in good standing with an athletics team, just the university, which he was,” said Boone. “That question is not part of the waiver application. We are aware of other student-athletes with similar issues, but since their team status was not public, their waivers were successful.”

So it looks like my prediction for an 8-4 season has fallen flat and we've yet to step on the field. I think we are 6-6 and maybe 7-5. I kinda had the feeling that having an experienced QB, regardless of how quick he learned the offense, would be a good cue for us stealing a few games. Oh well, still a good bit can happen and maybe what talent is on the field will rally and make a big impact. Here's to wishing and hoping for some positive results.