BYU football: Gameday glance

BYU at Ole Miss

Saturday, 2:45 p.m. MT

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (60,580)

FieldTurf

Oxford, Miss.

TV: ESPN

Radio: 1160 AM, 102.7 FM

Weather: Partly sunny, 98 degrees

THE STAKES

For Ole Miss . . . the Rebels are looking to rebound from a 4-8 campaign last season and would love nothing more than to open the year with a victory at home.

For BYU . . . this is a statement game for the Cougars, who are kicking off independence in Southeastern Conference country, and on national television.

THE TRENDS

For Ole Miss . . . the Rebels lost three straight games to end the 2010 season.

For BYU . . . the Cougars won five of their final six games to end the 2010 season.

THE EDGE

Ole Miss will win if . . . the Rebels can control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and establish an effective ground game with running back Brandon Bolden.

BYU will win if . . . the Cougars can force new quarterback Barry Brunetti into mistakes, avoid turnovers and get off to a fast start.

PLAYER TO WATCH

ROSS APO, BYU: The Cougar freshman wide receiver provides quarterback Jake Heaps with a big target and a deep threat. After redshirting last season, Apo is looking for his first college reception.

KEY MATCHUP

BYU's DEFENSIVE FRONT vs. OLE MISS' OFFENSIVE LINE: The Rebels boast a massive O-line, anchored by left tackle Bradley Sowell. The Cougars' defensive front seven might be the fastest, and most athletic, its ever been. Can BYU keep Ole Miss' rushing attack in check?

INJURY REPORT

OLE MISS: None.

BYU: FB Zed Mendenhall (ankle) will be a game day decision.

NEXT UP

Ole Miss hosts Southern Illinois on Sept. 10, while BYU travels to Texas (5 p.m., MT, ESPN2).

SCHEDULE

(All times Mountain)

Date....Opponent....Time....(TV)/result

Sept. 3 at Ole Miss 2:45 p.m. (ESPN)

Sept. 10 at Texas 5 p.m. (ESPN2)

Sept. 17 vs. Utah 7:15 p.m. (ESPN2)

Sept. 23 vs. Central Florida (6 p.m., ESPN)

Sept. 30 vs. Utah State (6 p.m., ESPN)

Oct. 8 vs. San Jose State (TBD, TBD)

Oct. 15 at Oregon State (TBD, TBD)

Oct. 22 vs. Idaho State ( 1 p.m., BYUtv)

Oct. 28 vs. TCU, in Arlington, Tex., (6 p.m., ESPN)

Nov. 12 vs. Idaho (TBD, ESPN Networks)

Nov. 19 vs. New Mexio State TBD (TBD, ESPN Networks)

Dec. 3 at Hawaii (5:30 p.m., ESPN2)