Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt wrapped up his time at the podium a little while ago. Most of what he said about the Rebels’ soaring expectations this year will be used for a story I’m writing for tomorrow’s paper. But there are a couple of nuggets worth mentioning on the blog now.

For instance, there was a reporter who asked Nutt for his thoughts on the SEC’s new rule capping signing classes at 28. If you weren’t aware, Nutt’s 2009 signing class was one big reason for the rule chance. He signed a whopping 37 players.

“Twenty-eight,” Nutt joked. “Was that because of my number?”

Nutt went on to explain his reasoning for signing so many guys. He said the Rebels knew eight or nine wouldn’t make it academically, but signed them anyway in hopes of placing them in Missisippi JUCOs. It would help them feel like they were still part of Ole Miss’ family and would sign with the Rebels later. He also wanted to aid relationships with JUCO coaches in the state and thought getting some of his signees to their schools might help in that regard, too.

So does he like the new rule? Well, it sounds like he does to a certain point.

“I wish it was at 30,” Nutt said. “But a rule is a rule. Our numbers are going to work out. They’ll be at 25 by the time we start.”