Mississippi prepares for 2nd FCS opponent

Associated Press - November 6, 2009 8:14 AM ET

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi's game with Northern Arizona wasn't supposed to happen. Now that it is, the Rebels have to take it very seriously.

The second game against a Football Championship Series foe this season is an unwelcome interlude in the midst of a Southeastern Conference schedule that is suddenly serious business. The Rebels (5-3) would rather pursue bowl eligibility than play a fairly meaningless game in November.

Coach Houston Nutt says he'd much rather play four non-conference games to start the year, then focus exclusively on the SEC.

The Lumberjacks (5-3) only ended up on the schedule after another team backed out of a game and Rebels officials had trouble finding a late replacement.