Vanderbilt beat the Rebels five out of the last seven years. The Commodores view the Rebels as their best chance at a win in the SEC every year. They get up for Ole Miss in a way that's similar to the way the Rebels do LSU. Vanderbilt believes it can beat Ole Miss, because it's done it before. If ever there was a perfect opponent for the 'Dores to face the week after a humiliating defeat, when their confidence is severely shaken, it's Ole Miss.
Nonetheless, the Rebels are favored by 20 points, and if they've turned on the radio, opened up Twitter or watched ESPN, they've heard all they really need to do is show up.
“We’re not going to overlook them," Hugh Freeze said.
Let's hope not.
Ole Miss has so much to play for. The 15th ranked Rebels have a navigable path to 4-0, the Top 10 and a national showdown with Alabama. The Rebels want to accomplish more than that. They want to win the SEC West. This team has big goals, but Ole Miss can't lose to Vanderbilt and accomplish them.
To reach those goals, the Rebels must continue to improve.
The offensive line must get better today. Watch for less penalties, better protection, and bigger holes for the running backs.
Ole Miss rushed for just 71 yards against Boise State. A good running game is vital to a successful season, and 71 yards rushing won't get it done. I still believe the Rebels need a feature back. Freeze seems content to play all four of his backs. Regardless, Ole Miss must get better running the football.
Ole Miss rushed for just 71 yards against Boise State. A good running game is vital to a successful season, and 71 yards rushing won't get it done. I still believe the Rebels need a feature back. Freeze seems content to play all four of his backs. Regardless, Ole Miss must get better running the football.
Quarterback Bo Wallace must curb the interceptions, and play for all four quarters like he did in the 4th quarter against Boise State. Wallace knows full well that interceptions won't win many conference games. He chalked his mistake-filled first half against the Broncos up to jitters and pressing too much, and says he learned that he must play within himself and only take what the defense gives him. Today he gets to prove it.
And the defense must dominate. Holding Boise State to 13 points, forcing fumbles and grabbing four interceptions was a nice start, but there's always room for improvement. Having All-SEC linebackers Denzel Nkemdiche and Serderius Bryant back on the field should help.
The Vanderbilt offense is suspect, especially at quarterback, where the Commodores still haven't settled on a starter. Stephen Rivers will likely start today. He completed less than 50 percent of his passes last week for just 186 yards. Expect Vanderbilt to try to pound the ball with running back Jerron Seymour. Vanderbilt's leading rusher a year ago missed the opener with an injury, but he's back today and Vanderbilt will use him to try to keep the Ole Miss offense off the field with a steady diet of runs, challenging the Rebel D to stop it. If Ole Miss can stuff the run the Rebels should win big.
DISCUSS THE GAME ON THE MESSAGE BOARD
DISCUSS THE GAME ON THE MESSAGE BOARD