Editor's Note: The Arkansas Razorbacks will face one of the toughest football schedules in the nation in 2008. The sports staff of the Northwest Arkansas Times ranked Arkansas'12 upcoming games from least important to most important based on fan fervor, storylines and the effect a win or loss would have on the Razorbacks'season. This is the Hogs'fourth most important game, part 10 of a 12-part series profiling the Razorbacks'opponents. During his 10 years as Arkansas' head coach, Houston Nutt was accustomed to running onto the field at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium from the north entrance.

Nutt will have to reorient himself when he returns Oct. 25 as head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels. He'll take the field from the opposite end of the stadium, and while his previous entrances elicited cheers, this one is likely to provoke lusty boos and catcalls from a crowd in full throat. The fractured fan base that Nutt cited as his rationale for resigning last November will be baying for his defeat in unison come October.

Nutt was the secondlongest tenured coach in the SEC before his resignation, compiling a 75-48 record, three SEC West championships, two conference title game appearances and two SEC Coach of the Year honors. Arkansas hadn't played in a New Year's Day bowl game since 1990 until Nutt's arrival. He shepherded the Razorbacks to five New Year's day games in 10 years..

He was 42-38 against SEC opponents, but his detractors point to his 16-25 record in league road games and 0-7 record against Florida and Georgia. Those same critics didn't lament his decision to take the job at Ole Miss. Nutt accepted the position the day after he resigned from Arkansas. Nutt's bona fides as a proven winner couldn't cut any ice in his native Natural State, but residents of the Magnolia State welcomed his move east. After going winless in the SEC last year for the first time since 1982, Ole Miss is clutching for its first winning season since 2003. Nutt assented to a fouryear contract that will pay him $ 1. 7 million to start and increase by $ 100, 000 each year. An option for three more seasons, with the chance to earn more money with incentives, was part of the agreement. The mended fan base might be regretting Nutt's departure when he returns Oct. 25. With consecutive league games against Alabama, Florida, Auburn and Kentucky preceding his arrival, the Razorbacks could be winless in the SEC ahead of their meeting with Ole Miss.

Offense After getting burned by Tennessee transfer Brent Schaeffer, who completed a paltry 38-percent of his pass attempts in 2007, Ole Miss is taking a flier on another transfer quarterback. Just as Schaeffer's inability to beat out Erik Ainge for the starting job at Tennessee prompted his transfer, Jevan Snead (6-3, 215 ) left Texas after Colt McCoy established himself as the starter in Austin. Snead hasn't played since 2006. He cemented his position as the No. 1 quarterback during Ole Miss' spring game, completing 20-of-26 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns.

His ascendancy might be by default. Sophomore Billy Tapp, who played on the scout team last year, served as Snead's toughest competition. Protecting Snead shouldn't be a problem. Ole Miss' offensive line boasts four returning starters, including junior left tackle Michael Oher (6-5, 325 ), who's considered an NFL prospect.

The task of replacing 1, 000-yard rusher BenJarvus Green Ellis has fallen to a committee of running backs. Junior Cordera Eason (5-10, 224 ) is foremost on the committee. He had only three carries for 6 yards last season but amassed 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns during the spring game.

Sophomore Reggie Hicks (6-1, 234 ), redshirt freshman Derrick Davis (6-0, 235 ) and highly-touted freshman Enrique Davis are also expected to compete for carries.

Ole Miss returns its four leading receivers from last year, led by senior Mike Wallace (38-716-6 TDs ) and junior Shay Hodge (43-593-6 TDs ). Diminutive junior Dexter McCluster (5-8, 165 ) is a multipurpose threat.

Defense The strength of Ole Miss' defense resides on its front line. Senior tackle Peria Jerry (6-2, 310 ) and junior end Greg Hardy possess all the tools to wreak havoc in opponents' offensive backfield. Jerry had 58 stops and 14 tackles for loss last year to earn all-SEC honors. Hardy was an all-American in 2007, leading the SEC with 10 sacks. He also recorded 18. 5 tackles for loss. All of Ole Miss' linebackers from 2007 return to reinforce the talented front. Despite their experience, they have dubious speed and playmaking abilities. Senior outside linebacker Ashlee Palmer (6-2, 222 ) is the lead incumbent, tallying 89 tackles and three interceptions last year. Senior middle linebacker Tony Fein (6-2, 245 ) had 89 tackles. The secondary is perceived as the weakest level of the defense. Ole Miss has experience at safety with senior Jamarca Sanford (5-10, 200 ) and junior Kendrick Lewis (6-0, 185 ). They collaborated for 140 tackles last season. Cornerback is a concern. The Rebels' lack of depth at the corner position prompted junior receiver Marshay Green to move to the position in the spring. Green was Ole Miss' third leading pass catcher last year, hauling in 31 catches for 260 yards.