Rebels at a glance

2001 schedule Sept. 1 vs. Murray St. Sept. 8 at Auburn Sept. 15 vs. Vanderbilt Sept. 29 at Kentucky Oct. 6 at Arkansas St. Oct. 13 vs. Alabama Oct. 20 vs. Middle Tenn. St. Oct. 27 at LSU Nov. 3 vs. Arkansas Nov. 17 vs. Georgia Nov. 22 at Mississippi St. 2000 results (7-5, 4-4 SEC) Tulane W 49-20 Auburn L 35-27 at Vanderbilt W 12-7 Kentucky W 35-17 at Alabama L 45-7 UNLV W 43-40 at Arkansas W 38-24 LSU L 20-9 at Georgia L 32-14 Mississippi St. W 45-30 vs. West Virginia L 49-38

Then, in the spring game, Manning was on fire again. He completed 25-of-38 passes for 287 yards and four TDs. He had five passes dropped or the stats would have been loftier. Now a third-year sophomore, Manning has had time to digest and gain a total understanding of David Cutcliffe's offense. Keep in mind, this was the same system utilized at Tennessee when Cutcliffe was coordinating the attack for Eli's older brother, Peyton Manning.

OFFENSE
Since he took over as head coach with the Rebels in '99, Cutcliffe really hasn't had the speed, big-play ability and overall depth that he benefited from while in Knoxville. This year, though, while the Rebels will be counting on several young wideouts to contribute heavily, they should do a better job of stretching out the field. Chris Collins, a 6-1, 190-pound sophomore who saw action last year as a first-year performer, is a true burner who provides the long dimension.

The main option, though, figures to be senior Omar Rayford, a former juco transfer who enjoyed an outstanding spring. In addition to experienced 6-1, 188-pounder Jamie Armstrong, the Rebels also expect significant contributions from a pair of redshirt freshmen, Bill Flowers and Trey Fryfogle. Flowers, who was a high-hurdles champion at the prep level, is the son of former Tennessee Volunteer and Dallas Cowboy WR Richmond Flowers. Bill's older brother, Richmond, also a WR, transferred from Duke to UT-Chattanooga to close out his college career last season, then was a seventh-round draft choice of the Jacksonville Jaguars in April.

While the receiving corps has a great deal of potential, Manning's favorite target could be underrated TE Doug Zeigler. The 6-3½, 250-pound junior was recruited as a QB out of the prep ranks in Ohio. With his size, excellent hands and impressive speed, Zeigler has a chance to develop into a key performer in the Rebels' pass offense.

In the backfield, the big news centers around the graduation loss of Deuce McAllister. While he was injured a great deal last year, McAllister's all-purpose talents can't be easily replaced. Joe Gunn, who had a so-so 2000 season, will be challenged for playing time by junior Robert Williams. The key for Gunn will be showing improvement as a pass-receiving option.

Manning, Gunn and Williams will be operating behind what should be a solid Rebel offensive line. Veteran LT Terrence Metcalf, a 6-3, 315-pound senior who started every game as a freshman in '97, and underrated junior pivot man Ben Claxton are the headliners up front. Claxton, who suffered a broken leg in the season opener last year before returning to action late in the campaign, has the potential to rank as one of the top centers in the SEC. Whether it's this year or in the not-too-distant future, watch out for 6-4, 315-pound freshman Chris Spencer, who was one of the Rebels' top recruits.

DEFENSE
With pass-rushing DE Derrick Burgess and skilled CB Ken Lucas moving on to the NFL, the big question mark for the Rebels this season is defense. Cutcliffe wisely brought in Don Lindsey as defensive coordinator. A part of four national championships and 18 bowl games during his exceptional coaching career, Lindsey spent the last two years in the Canadian Football League.

Everything will revolve around blue-chip LB Eddie Strong, who is coming off the injury list (broken foot last year). The 6-3, 242-pounder enjoyed an outstanding spring, with his healthy return providing a major shot in the arm to the Rebels' defense. Juco transfer Germain Landrum should upgrade the situation on the weakside. The 6-3, 225-pounder won the starting job during spring practice. Another newcomer to keep a close eye on is talented 6-3, 222-pounder L.P. Spence. The highly regarded juco transfer will be a sophomore this season and could battle for early playing time.

The other key player on defense for the Rebels is SS Syniker Taylor. A gifted athletic talent, the 6-0½, 205-pound senior will lead the deep patrol and has the potential to be one of the top players at his position in college football. At FS, sophomore Von Hutchins won the award for Most Improved Defensive Player in the spring.

While the Rebels are in great shape at the safety spots, the concern is that the exact opposite will be true at CB. Desmon Johnson, a junior who only checks in at 5-10 and 160 pounds, has some big shoes to fill replacing Ken Lucas. On the other side, senior Justin Coleman has plenty of experience but will have to step up his performance.

Up front, a noticeable lack of size has to cause concern about whether the Rebels will be manhandled in the trenches. Outside of 6-3, 315-pound RDT Kenny Jackson, the Rebels' other three starters along the defensive line -- LDE Charlie Anderson (6-4, 225), LDT Anthony Sims (6-3, 268) and RDE Josh Cooper (6-4, 230) -- average just 241 pounds. Most of the backups also lack ideal size.

SPECIAL TEAMS
The kicking game is extremely unproven. Sophomore Lee Rogers reportedly has a slight edge over redshirt freshman Jonathan Nichols for the kicking job heading into fall practice. And the Rebels have to break in a new holder. Redshirt freshman Cody Ridgeway will handle the punting duties.

Overview: With so many question marks on defense, the pressure early in the season will be for the Rebels' new gunslinger, Eli Manning, to light up the scoreboard in a big way. In order for this to happen, RB Gunn must show improvement to give balance to the offense, while young wideouts such as Collins, Flowers and Fryfogle have to step up and provide significant contributions. Having an underrated TE like Zeigler as a key target figures to be a major plus for the pass offense. The offensive line, anchored by blue-chipper Claxton, should be solid. As for Manning, indications are that he could rival his brother Peyton's college career in the SEC.