The Ole Miss vs. Florida State game has occupied the thoughts of Rebel fans ever since the game was announced. But the game that can not be overlooked is the one against Wofford.
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Since the announcement of the game against the Florida State Seminoles, there has been an anxious yet exciting atmosphere around the Ole Miss family. This is the type of match up that has the entire country talking.
Not only will it showcase two top 25 team, but it will be the featured game on Labor Day.
But with all it’s fanfare, the most important early seasons out of conference game for the Rebels will not be the game against the Seminoles. The second game of the season against the Wofford Terriers will mean more to the success of the Ole Miss Rebel season.
The expectation from both games affect the importance of these early season matchups. The Rebels are traveling to Orlando, Florida to face the Seminoles in a game that’s a neutral site game in name only.
There are those that believe the Rebels have a great chance at beating Florida State. But a loss to them would not be a shock, or would it be damaging to the Rebels resume. The Seminoles will be top 10 and a legitimate contender for the National Title. To leave with a loss would not be anything to hang their heads about.
On the other hand, the Rebels are expected to not only defeat the Terriers but to defeat them soundly. A loss to Wofford would be a season damaging defeat for Ole Miss. Even though it is early in the season, losing to a FCS school will be a defeat that will remain on the team’s resume when the College Football Playoff Selection Committee deliberates.
No sympathy will be given to fact that we will face them during a short week. A loss like that would theoretically count as two loses. It will be hard to recover. This increases the importance of this game.
What also makes this Wofford game important is the recovery time from a loss. If the Rebels lose the game against the Seminoles, they could use a game against a weaker FCS school to get back on track.
If by some terrible circumstance the Rebels were to lose to Wofford, there is no weak opponent to play next. They must immediately get prepared to play the Alabama Crimson Tide. There will be no time to lick their wounds. There will be no time to mentally recuperate from a loss to a team the caliber of the Terriers.
On the field against Florida State we expect to see one of the best running backs in the nation. Dalvin Cook is a legitimate Heisman hopeful. He is going to be a primary feature of Coach Jimbo Fisher’s offense.
The Rebel defense will be tested during this first game. An offensive output by the Seminole would not be surprising. If it happens, the pundits would just chalk it up to Florida State being a great team.
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Wofford runs the football. They only run the football. Their returning starting quarterback, Evan Jack only threw one touchdown all year. He had more rushing yards than he did passing yards. He only averaged 47 yards passing a game last year.
Wofford only runs the football. If the Rebel’s defense can’t handle a one-dimensional team, they will have a long year against the remaining high quality teams they will face. It will also spell doom for the Rebels because the next two teams they face, Alabama and Georgia, are running teams with a vastly more talented running game.
It is important that Ole Miss dominate the Terriers on the defensive end. They need to use this game as a live scrimmage to prepare for the rest of the year.
A loss to Florida State can be absorbed. A loss to Wofford would be devastating. A loss to the Seminoles can be taken out on Wofford. A loss to Wofford makes us weak going into Alabama.
Getting run on by Dalvin Cook would not be abnormal. Getting run on by the Terriers would display weaknesses in the Rebel defense. The game against Wofford is one that the Rebels can’t afford to look over.