Cutcliffe sees many similarities

By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
Dec. 19, 2003
OXFORD Quick receivers, a balanced, high-scoring offense, and an inconsistent secondary.
David Cutcliffe has seen the likes of Oklahoma State before.
Cutcliffe's No. 16 Rebels stayed off the practice field on Thursday but continued studying film on the No. 21 Cowboys, who share an identical 9-3 record with Ole Miss. Today, the Rebels will begin their on-field preparation for its Cotton Bowl opponent.
The Rebels' often maligned pass defense once the nation's worst but now ranked 108th out of 117 Division I-A teams may become the busiest unit on the team once game preparations begin today. The Cowboys' biggest weapon is 6-foot-2 wide receiver Rashaun Woods, who has more than 1,100 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Woods had 232 yards and seven touchdowns against Southern Methodist on Sept. 20.
The Rebels will try to keep Oklahoma State's offense off the field so that they can keep their own scoring weapon, quarterback Eli Manning, in the game. Manning returned to practice this week after a whirlwind tour of awards presentations last week.
Ole Miss will break for Christmas and then arrive in Dallas on Dec. 26. The team will then begin game week practices for the Cowboys.