That team was just overrated. This team is coming off a #9 year-end ranking. Highest since 1969. And brings a lot back, plus the #1 ranked transfer portal class in the nation. This year's Mississippi team would beat the 2009 team by 20 points.
2009 was overrated, but 2008 sure wasn't. Hootie fumbled around but once he figured it out, well, I'm just glad we didn't have a playoff back then. They were rolling.
That 2008 team had won their last 5 games of the year beating the crap out of two ranked teams in LSU and Texas Tech(Leach). I mean they beat the crap out of those two. They returned a bunch also with QB Jevan Snead highlighting the returning players. Remember, Mel Kiper had Snead as the 1 player in the draft before the season. They had them on the cover of SI(thanks) for the college football preview. It's the same song different verse for this crew of Rebs.
I agree it's much the same. They have listened to their hype all offseason, and will likely disappoint, and they lost Judkins.
HOWEVER....
The caveat is the portal class. Hard to know what they will do. And hard to judge losing Judkins. Many people say tailbacks are plug and play, but I don't agree. I've seen first hand what a high level runner can do for you a couple of times. I remember watching Leonard Fournette in the 2015 game we lost, and we simply could not do anything with the guy.