MISSISSIPPI Rebels QB Manning devotes hours to passionate preparation

His time studying the oppostion has increased his value.
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) -- Eli Manning loads up the digital projector, turns down the lights and settles into a chair.
Alone in a meeting room that's set up like a small movie theater, the Mississippi quarterback begins to dissect his next opponent with a remote control and laser pointer.
As he fast forwards, rewinds and pauses his way through game tapes, Manning visualizes plays he thinks will work against certain defenses.
Before he faces live action on Saturday, he spends about 10 hours studying for it, far more than anyone else on the team and perhaps more than any college quarterback in the country.
A powerful, accurate right arm separates Manning from the vast majority of quarterbacks. A sharp mind and passion for preparation make him one of the nation's most valuable players.
"He's just like having a coach running the football team," said Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, who lost to Manning and the Rebels. "How many times last week did we give him a different look and he changed the play and got them in a better play than what was called?"
Manning directs one of the best offenses in the nation and is the main reason the surprising 17th-ranked Rebels (8-2, 6-0) are one victory away from their first SEC West title.
Ask Manning what the key is to any game and he replies, "We have to play smart football."
It's not just a stock answer. It's a goal.
"For me it's not forcing the ball. Last year, I forced a lot of balls. A lot of interceptions. A lot of balls that were close to being intercepted," he said. "It's going through your progressions fast and knowing what to do with the ball. That's just from watching film, just having an idea of what they do defensively."
Manning was at his brainy best in the fourth quarter against Auburn, directing a 10-play, 80-yard drive that resulted in the game-winning touchdown.
Panic not needed
Ole Miss got the ball with 7:20 left, down 20-17. Manning said there was no reason to panic.
"What we're thinking is you'd like to go down and get points. Get a field goal, try to tie it up. But even right here, you don't have to force anything," he said, watching film of the drive.
On the second play of the drive, Manning practiced patience.
Manning's primary receiver was covered, so he rolled out of the pocket to eliminate the possibility of intentional grounding and tossed the ball out of bounds.
It's a play Manning makes about three times a game.
"Throwing the ball away is harder than what it seems. You want to make the play," he said. "It's something you've just got to train yourself. Throw it away. Third down. We've got another shot here."
Cutcliffe calls it teaching a player to stop competing.
"It takes great confidence. It takes great discipline," Cutcliffe said. "It takes a great understanding of the game in believing that the most important thing he has to do is to protect that football. Not saying it, but believing it."
The big play against Auburn was 48-yard completion to fullback Lorenzo Townsend on a third-and-5.
Four plays later, the Rebels were in the end zone and Manning's Heisman Trophy candidacy was bolstered.