FACTS & STATS: Site: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (60,580) -- Oxford, Mississippi. Television: None. Home Record: Missouri 0-0, Ole Miss 0-0. Away Record: Missouri 0-0, Ole Miss 1-0. Neutral Record: Missouri 1-0, Ole Miss 0-0. Conference Record: Missouri 0-0, Ole Miss 0-0. Series Record: Missouri leads, 4-1.

GAME NOTES: The Ole Miss Rebels open the home portion of their schedule this Saturday, as they host the Missouri Tigers in non-conference action from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford. The Rebels kicked off the '07 campaign on a winning note, as they slipped past Memphis on the road last Saturday, 23-21. It was the 11th win in the past 12 season openers for Ole Miss, which is now 84-24-5 all-time in such contests. The Rebels went 4-3 at home last year. As for Missouri, it also played on the road this past weekend and like Ole Miss, it was able to hang on for a 40-34 triumph over Illinois. It was a good start for the Tigers, who are expected to have another successful season with a good amount of returning starters from last year's team that finished 8-5. Following this game, Missouri will return home for three straight, starting with Western Michigan. In terms of the all-time series between these two teams, the Tigers own a 4-1 edge, including a 34-7 triumph over the Rebels in last year's meeting.

The Tigers are expected to be among the top offensive teams in the nation once again this season and they certainly flexed their muscle in the opener. Missouri racked up 429 yards of total offense against Illinois, in addition to earning 25 first downs. Leading the charge was quarterback Chase Daniel, who threw for a career-high 359 yards in the win. Daniel, who passed for a school- record 3,527 yards last season, had three touchdown tosses and completed 37- of-54 throws against the Illini. Daniel did a nice job of spreading the ball around, as five different receivers caught at least four passes. Martin Rucker led the way with 10 catches for 86 yards, while Denario Alexander added nine receptions for 82 yards. Tailback Tony Temple rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, but he was limited to just 33 yards on 17 carries by Illinois.

For Missouri, its biggest concern this season comes on the defensive side of the ball, where just four starters are back in the fold. With all the new faces, it was no surprise to see this unit surrender 435 total yards, including 316 via the pass, to Illinois. The defense, however, did make some big plays, recording five turnovers and a pair of sacks. Cornelius Brown posted five tackles and two fumble recoveries, including one he returned 100 yards for a touchdown. Sean Weatherspoon also had a solid game for the Tigers, logging 11 tackles and a forced fumble.

The Rebels were by no means stellar on offense last Saturday, as they gained just 275 total yards in a narrow win over Memphis. The unit accounted for just one touchdown and a field goal, and it also turned the ball over three times. The lackluster effort wasn't all that surprising considering Ole Miss ranked 111th in total offense (261.4 ypg) a year ago. Quarterback Seth Adams, however, was effective in his first career start, completing 19-of-30 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown. Marshay Green was Adams' top target, as he finished with five receptions for 59 yards. Tailback B.J. Green-Ellis gained 79 yards on 23 carries and he figures to be a big part of the Ole Miss offense once again after eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark in 2006.

Defensively, Ole Miss was torched by Memphis for 467 total yards, but the unit was able to make up for that by forcing five turnovers. The Rebels gave up 30 first downs and 343 passing yards, but they did manage to record four interceptions. The defense, which stopped Memphis on a game-tying two-point conversion attempt with 31 seconds left in the game, received a huge 99-yard interception return for a touchdown by Dustin Mouzon just before the end of the first half. Mouzon finished with two interceptions and six total stops, while Ashlee Palmer added 12 tackles and an interception. The special teams also got involved for Ole Miss, as Kendrick Lewis recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a score late in the second quarter.

The Tigers possess a potent offense and that is bad news for an Ole Miss club that appears to be shaky on defense. With another big game from Daniel, expect Missouri to jump out to a big lead and hold on for the victory.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Missouri 38, Ole Miss 24