News Article: Ole Miss preview: Rebels usually save their A-game for Alabama

[JessN]

Ole Miss preview: Rebels usually save their A-game for Alabama
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans.com Editor-In-Chief
Oct. 5, 2009

DEPTH CHART

Prior to the 2009 season, Ole Miss found itself in a position no team wants to be in – that of “media darling.”

Given how rarely the nation’s sports media accurately picks the correct surprise team in any given year, Ole Miss had reason to be concerned. And like clockwork, Ole Miss’ bubble burst Sept. 24 when the Rebels lost a shocker in Columbia, S.C., to the Gamecocks, 16-10.

But the Rebels do have a wild card in their deck: Houston Nutt, the Ole Miss coach, has a reputation for two things, mediocrity and unpredictability.

For the full story, click here.

 

[GrayTide]

Good analysis as usual. I will not go against Jess's pick but will say a little closer than 8 points. 21-17.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

Will take 1 more point than the Rebs and move happily homeward. This is Ole Miss's season.

 

[NYBamaFan]

Thanks, Jess

Great read, and I am surprised to see us leading in all 8 categories, even if most of those edges are razor thin.

I think that we will find a way to score a little more than your projection, but McCluster scares the heck out of me - so we might need it.

Do we know if Hardy is healthy for this game?

 

[BamaFossil]

Great analysis! I'm surprised Bama leads in all categories. Makes me feel a bit better about this game; I've been concerned about this one even more than the LSU game.

Hopefully the Bama players bring their "A" game; I think we'll need it.

 

[capnfrog]

Yep! I agree the Rebs will bring their "A" game against Bama, as will USCe,Tn., LSU, All barn, and MSU. It will be a bad mistake to overlook any of these teams, any of them would rather beat Bama than anyone else. If you ask LSU the fans would prolly rather beat Bama than the Gators, always been this way long as I can remember, ain't nothing changed, wouldn't want it any different.

 

[rgw]

I think the preview understates some of the interesting matchups in this game that give Ole Miss a good shot at the home upset. Like their DL v. our OL. The o-line held up well against VT and their DE - Worilds - is likely an NFL DE next year, but this is probably the best pass-rush DL in conference we'll face this season (USCe does have Norwood who is a great pass-rushing LB though). They have a bit of size in the middle and they are good at getting interior penetration. It's going to be a litmus test for the OL.

I think that despite Ole Miss not being consistent on the OL, you can bet that their gameplan will be to focus on the run to setup the play-action deep pass like last year. The LBs are going to have to play the run better as a unit than last week.

The good thing is it appears that nobody on the Tide even had a brief smile over Saturday's game. The front seven is ticked off that they allowed 100+ yards on the ground. The QB and passing game is ticked off over missed opportunities. The OL and backs feel like they need to improve their consistency as a whole. I'm hopeful that the Wildcats fighting and clawing with our team is going to lead to a better performance overall this Saturday against Ole Miss.

Ole Miss got too much sugar from the media for downing the national champs and the team who beat the #2 team (Texas) in 2008. They saw the skill guys and most of their defensive stars returning and didn't take into account that schools like Ole Miss simply don't replace guys like Oher. When they lose 1st round picks, they feel it...everyone does, but Ole Miss doesn't have a roster teeming with other guys of comparable talent but simply a lack of experience...they lose the talent level and experience. They are a dangerous team though because of the good things the media saw in the preseason. A good QB, a few good skill guys, and NFL-quality pass-rushers are some of the pieces of the puzzle you'd like to have in a one-game upset scenario.

 

[NYBamaFan]

I think the preview understates some of the interesting matchups in this game that give Ole Miss a good shot at the home upset. Like their DL v. our OL. The o-line held up well against VT and their DE - Worilds - is likely an NFL DE next year, but this is probably the best pass-rush DL in conference we'll face this season (USCe does have Norwood who is a great pass-rushing LB though). They have a bit of size in the middle and they are good at getting interior penetration. It's going to be a litmus test for the OL...

Also for GMac, as he will have to make decisions more quickly and get rid of the ball. He has had all day to read coverages and find the open receiver thus far - even against VT. I don't know if that will be the case this weekend...

 

[Crimson Grin]

I think the preview understates some of the interesting matchups in this game that give Ole Miss a good shot at the home upset. Like their DL v. our OL. The o-line held up well against VT and their DE - Worilds - is likely an NFL DE next year, but this is probably the best pass-rush DL in conference we'll face this season (USCe does have Norwood who is a great pass-rushing LB though). They have a bit of size in the middle and they are good at getting interior penetration. It's going to be a litmus test for the OL...

Also for GMac, as he will have to make decisions more quickly and get rid of the ball. He has had all day to read coverages and find the open receiver thus far - even against VT. I don't know if that will be the case this weekend...

Just knowing that our offense goes against our defense in preparation for games gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. This will be a good fought game but we will prevail and be victorious this weekend!

 

[NYBamaFan]

Just knowing that our offense goes against our defense in preparation for games gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. This will be a good fought game but we will prevail and be victorious this weekend!

Great point!!! :iagree:

 

[DrollTide]

Thanks Jess. This game looks like a great opportunity to confront a team that is *almost* as good in every phase, in their house, and come out with a win. That would be a great half-way-point win and really take us to the next level.

 

[bayoutider]

Pretty rare to see Jess pick Bama in all catagories against a ranked team, how does that kool aid taste jess

I think it will be a close game not a blow out and one of the better games to watch this week especially as a Bama fan. I think we win but not too big and we will probably have some anxious moments. There is no mention of Enrique Davis rb for Miss. he is a pretty good back and hope he doesnt get loose for a long gallop, he can fly.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

I hope we bring our A-Game, and play 60 minutes of football.
I've never been a fan of CHN, even before our probation.
If we can get up, I would like to see us run up the score on them.
I hope that Greg Mcelroy and our receivers step up and start to dominate at the begining of the game. I really want to see Ingram, Richardson, and Upchurch run the ball down their throats.
I wanna see Rolando continue his 'Reign of Terror' on Ole Miss.

I wanna see a smile on the face of CNS.

 

[Rowl Tyde]

Ole Miss preview: Rebels usually save their A-game for Alabama

Who doesn't?

 

[bamar]

i am with you jess, the only good team miss. has played this year, is south carolina, and they lost. they are rated high in several categories, because of their lackluster schedule. yes, it is tough to go on the road in the sec, but, with the difficult game in kentucky, this will give coach saban some real ammunition to get after the team. they will not take miss lightly.
alabama 27
miss 17

 

[PDL]

So Jess, you think Julio may still be bothered by the sports hernia? I thought he was probably still slowed by his knee, although I really haven't noticed him favoring his knee while running or anything like that. I guess it's obvious, though, that something is definitely bothering him.

 

[92tide]

if a team has to rely on its A-game to magically show up when it hasn't all year to be competitive in a game, im not too worried. i think we have a similar situation that we did in kentucky. we may not look awesome the whole game, but we will win handily.

 

[JessN]

Pretty rare to see Jess pick Bama in all catagories against a ranked team, how does that kool aid taste jess

I think it will be a close game not a blow out and one of the better games to watch this week especially as a Bama fan. I think we win but not too big and we will probably have some anxious moments. There is no mention of Enrique Davis rb for Miss. he is a pretty good back and hope he doesnt get loose for a long gallop, he can fly.

Allow me to nitpick:

"For Ole Miss, Cordera Eason and Enrique Davis are the primary backups..."

 

[JessN]

So Jess, you think Julio may still be bothered by the sports hernia? I thought he was probably still slowed by his knee, although I really haven't noticed him favoring his knee while running or anything like that. I guess it's obvious, though, that something is definitely bothering him.

It's more of a note that every player UA has had in recent years with a sports hernia has taken a full year post-surgery to overcome it. It may be coincidence or there may be something to it, I don't know.

 

[Alanbama27]

Nice preview Jess!

One thing that I'd like to make mention of is Greg Hardy. He simply can't seem to stay healthy and yet even when less than 100% he still wreaks havoc for everyone. I like Bama's OL, but Carpenter seems to get flagged for Holding a bit often and given that Hardy will line up over Carpenter more often than not bothers me a bit.

However, the one thing that Bama has shown me to date that I'm not sure I expected was a real ability to just keep moving forward. No matter what happens, this team just keeps doing its job. Kentucky gave Bama a lot in the first half...especially the first quarter but eventually they were worn out by Bama's heavy leaning on them. I see this game being similar in that it comes down to depth and Bama has more of it. Also, if you remember it wasn't until AFTER the Bama game last year that Snead came into his own. I don't know what he'll do after Saturday but I would suspect he's going to spend a lot of time on his back this weekend.