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Mississippi coach Houston Nutt made a splash by adding a single player to his roster in August, with fans counting the wins former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli can add to the schedule.
Nutt has tried to temper expectations by reminding fans of the talented players the Rebels have lost since last January.
Gone is Dexter McCluster, who became the first Southeastern Conference player with 1,000 yards rushing and 500 yards passing.
''Where's that 1,500 yards going to come from?'' Nutt asked.
Nutt asked the same question about the 1,000 receiving yards from Shay Hodge, who also has moved on to the NFL.
And then there's the departure of Jevan Snead, who caught Nutt by surprise when he decided to turn pro after his junior season.
''The bottom line is he helped us win 18 games,'' Nutt said. ''So you're missing so much.''
Expectations for Nutt's third season at Ole Miss weren't that high because of those losses and more. The Rebels were picked to finish at or near the bottom of the Southeastern Conference Western Division by just about everyone.
Then Masoli entered the mix and no one's really sure what to expect from Ole Miss now.
There's no question he can contribute, especially in Nutt's Wild Rebel offense, after leading the Ducks to the Pac-10 title after accounting for 28 touchdowns.
But can he stay out of trouble? Two brushes with the law in six months cost him his place at Oregon and the Heisman Trophy Buzz that was building. Can he win the job? He's got 29 practices to learn Nutt's two-pronged playbook and must supplant starter Nate Stanley. And if he does, can he overcome the problems created by four new starters on the offensive line?
''It's scary when you're relying on a center who's never taken a snap in the SEC,'' Nutt said.
But Masoli is a 5-foot-11, 220-pound run-pass threat who might be just the answer for that untested line. The walk-on was just digesting the playbook a few days into camp when he first met with reporters, but he could already see the possibilities of Nutt's Wild Rebel offense.
''I'm a true dual-threat quarterback,'' Masoli said. ''I can run it and I can pass. To be in this offense under center will give me a great chance to showcase those talents.''
The thought that he can guide a young, but promising offense through a reasonable early season schedule and rev things up in October has players excited.
''He changed expectations,'' tailback Brandon Bolden said. ''He's another weapon in our offense. It's a great thing for him to be out there. Everybody knows what he can do. It's going to be great.''
How great has a lot to do with Bolden, too. With McCluster gone, Bolden and Enrique Davis will get the majority of carries. Bolden rushed for 614 yards last season, but has slimmed down and hopes his increased speed will boost his production.
Nutt's also taking auditions for a go-to wide receiver and the heart of his offensive line, with left tackle Bradley Sowell the only regular starter back. There are just as many holes on the defense, but the coach isn't as concerned with that side of the ball.
The Rebels lost Greg Hardy and two other defensive ends, both cornerbacks and a safety, and the team's most athletic linebacker. But Nutt feels the heart of the defense is sound, starting with defensive linemen Jerrell Powe, Kentrell Lockett and Ted Laurent once against anchoring an experienced front seven.
The Rebels also return longtime contributors Allen Walker, Jonathan Cornell and Johnny Brown.
All those players have been key contributors in the Rebels' run of two straight nine-win seasons topped off with Cotton Bowl victories.
''That's what gives you confidence,'' Nutt said. ''They can handle it.''
Nutt believes the recruiting he's done since he got to Oxford will also begin to pay dividends on that side of the ball. Defensive end Wayne Dorsey, a junior college transfer, got high marks in spring drills. Cornerback Charles Sawyer and safety Damien Jackson bring depth to a thin secondary and Nutt calls D.T. Shackelford and Joel Kight the most physical young linebackers he's ever had.
The way Nutt sees it that defense gives these Rebels a chance to be something more than expected.
And maybe Masoli's presence gives them a chance to be something special.
Though you won't catch Nutt counting those extra wins just yet, as reporters have asked him to do.
''As far as putting a number on how many more wins, really, I don't know,'' Nutt said. ''I don't worry about that. I'm just glad that he's on our team.''
