OLE MISS vs BOISE STATE
CHICK-FIL-A KICKOFF GAME
GEORGIA DOME
ESPN, 7 P.M.
Expectations for the 18th ranked Ole Miss Rebels are just about as high as they have been in 40 years. In fact, this is only the 4th time since 1972 that the Rebels have entered the season with a preseason ranking. More than a few college football prognosticators have even called Ole Miss a dark horse candidate to win the vaunted SEC West. Put it this way, Rebel fans aren't driving to Atlanta. They're soaring. This is as good as it gets for Ole Miss in August.
Enter the Boise State Broncos. The Mountain West school famous for its blue turf is no stranger to playing the spoiler. Ask Oklahoma, Oregon, Georgia and Virginia Tech. All were once trampled by the BCS-busting Broncos, and Boise State would like nothing more than to pop all the red and blue balloons and add Ole Miss to its list of season-wrecking victims.
A loss to the Broncos would do exactly that.
The preseason ranking would instantly disappear. ESPN's College Gameday would start looking for another place to set up shop on that weekend the Rebels host Alabama. Those dreams of Ole Miss making a Cinderella run through the SEC West would fade, too. After all, if the Rebels can't beat Boise State, how will they do against Alabama, Auburn and LSU?
Make no mistake. Beating Boise State is absolutely critical for Ole Miss to have what most would consider a successful season, and those are some high stakes for the very first game of the year on the big stage of ESPN.
Fortunately for Ole Miss the Broncos have one of the most inexperienced offensive lines in the country. Just two starters return from a unit that allowed 26 sacks in 2013. If the Rebel defensive line is as good as advertised, and Robert Nkemdiche, C.J. Johnson and Marquis Haynes are able to build 2nd homes in the Bronco backfield, that should spell certain doom for Boise State.
Under new head coach Bryan Harsin, the Broncos will be led by running back Jay Ajayi, a 1,400-yard running back in 2013 with tremendous size and speed, but Ajayi will only rush as far as his offensive line allows. That's where Nkemdiche & Co. come into play. We'll know soon enough if the Ole Miss defensive front is what we think it is.
On the other side we'll be watching Bo Wallace and how he distributes the ball between Laquon Treadwell, Evan Engram, Vince Sanders and Cody Core. Wallace is no stranger to big games on big stages. With his experience and those receivers the Rebels should do just fine moving the football.....if...and you know what's coming next....if that offensive line can give Wallace the protection he needs and get the necessary push to create holes for running backs I'Tavius Mathers and Jaylen Walton. Wallace has always been at his best when Ole Miss is able to run the football. If Mathers and Walton have good nights, then expect Wallace to have an even better night. Look for him to go to Treadwell early and often.
Boise State's best corner is 5-9, 152-pound Donte Deayon. He's a Jim Thorpe Award candidate, but it's hard to imagine a guy that small being able to cover Treadwell.
Boise State's best corner is 5-9, 152-pound Donte Deayon. He's a Jim Thorpe Award candidate, but it's hard to imagine a guy that small being able to cover Treadwell.
If the offensive and defensive lines win their match-ups Ole Miss should return to Oxford 1-0, and against Boise State that shouldn't be too much to ask.
One thing is certain - the time for speculation is over. The 2014 season is finally here. Are you ready?