Ole MIss Football: NOA Response Coming Soon, What To Expect
Rumor has it Ole Miss football fans can expect the University of Mississippi’s official response to the NOA soon. No official date and time has been set as of yet, however it is coming and could be as early as this afternoon. As widely speculated certainly this week we’ll have an announcement.
Ole Miss football fans have been in turmoil since the official February 22 update was made by Chancellor Jeff Vitter, AD Ross Bjork and Head Coach Hugh Freeze. I’m sure every Rebel fan can easily remember the entire presentation, which looked more like the making of a ‘hostage’ video.
Of course, as you may already know the University of Mississippi had 90 days to make a formal response to the NOA. However, UM requested an extension which was granted by the NCAA. This is ultimately what has led us to where we are now. Rebel fans waiting in anticipation for a best possible case scenario where we are penalized with our own self-imposed sanctions.
What To Expect
Ole Miss Rebels Football
Although we should always hope for the best, we should also always expect the worst. What is the worst which could happen to Ole Miss football? In this case it would certainly be anything beyond our own self-imposed sanctions.
Those sanctions included a reduction in scholarships, a postseason ban and approximately 7.8 million dollars in revenue.
Of course, we are not even near that point just yet. First we wait for the University’s official response which will basically outline what we already know will be a part of their case.
What Is The Case?
What we do know about the case is the fact there were four allegations which the University of Mississippi would not contest. Of these first four allegations, three are Level I violations and the last is a Level III.
The remaining allegations include four Level I violations and one Level III. These supposed violations are all allegations which the University intends to contest in full. It certainly seems as though the University of Mississippi must have compelling evidence to contradict the findings of the NCAA investigators in full.
For now this is where we are. Waiting on UM to present our case. That’s all that will happen. Once again, all of Ole Miss football will be left to wait. The NCAA will then have 60 days to make their findings in front of the Committee On Infractions. Then we’ll finally know something. For now, most of us don’t know anything. Period. The ones who absolutely do know something aren’t talking and we are left to wonder.
Just Saying
I’ve really tried to stay away from the subject of the NCAA as much as possible. Of course, I’ve had questions just like every Ole Miss football fan. I’ve tried to ask questions of certain people who I know and they are mum on the subject. However, I have made my own assumptions based on bits and pieces of what I know to be fact.
For now, I’m hoping on the best case scenario for a number of reasons. One, Rebel coach Hugh Freeze still has a job. The University of Mississippi administration has publicly taken a firm stance of support behind Hugh Freeze. I know this is a very good sign the University of Mississippi has a strong case to present.
Also, the players nor their families are talking about the case whatsoever. There has been no mass exodus of players as some have supposed and even predicted would most certainly happen. In addition to that, this recruiting class has been far better than expected. We have already received a verbal commitment from one of the top offensive tackles in the nation.
For myself I have to believe if all these allegations were absolutely and unequivocally true, the University wouldn’t be taking the stance it is. This is good news for Ole Miss football and us fans. From the very beginning this NCAA investigation has stunk to high heaven and has been nothing but a witch hunt.
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One thing is for certain. Beyond all the rumor and innuendo from rivals, Ole Miss football fans want the truth. We want the truth and we want to see the facts. There is always more to the story and we are ready.