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Ole Miss Football: Week One, South Alabama Preview

By Jagger Thomas

OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 29: Mississippi Rebels cheerleaders celebrate after a touchdown during the 2nd half of an NCAA college football game against the Auburn Tigers on October 29, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 29: Mississippi Rebels cheerleaders celebrate after a touchdown during the 2nd half of an NCAA college football game against the Auburn Tigers on October 29, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /
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After a terrible season in 2016, its time for Ole Miss football to start off with a clean slate. Kicking off the 2017 season the Rebels will host South Alabama this Saturday.

How dangerous is South Alabama? The South Alabama Jaguars are widely known to be the most dangerous cupcake team that can be scheduled. Everyone in Mississippi, especially Ole Miss football fans, knows about the upset last year against Mississippi State. This wasn’t the last time the Jags stunned someone, they beat San Diego State a month later.

New coaches, new systems, and a rebuilding defense all play against Ole Miss football’s chances to make this a blowout. Ole Miss obviously has more talent but, will they come out as the team that beat Texas A&M or the one that quit against  Vanderbilt?

Shea Needs To Be The Guy

To beat South Alabama, Ole Miss will need to be firing on all cylinders. I’m talking passing, running, kick returns and punt returns. Yes, South Alabama can be that much of a threat. The Jaguars are 6-3 in non-conference games over the last two years. Longo’s offense will have to strike early and often.

South Alabama’s defense will be better than last years. Two key players will be returning this year after injuries knocked them out, Tre Alford and Jimmie Gipson. Addition to those players, they brought in Missouri transfer Rocel McWilliams. Oh did I mention they are also returning their best defensive player Jeremy Reaves at safety?

The key for Ole Miss to win this game will be the arm of Shea Patterson. South Alabama’s best features are their d-line and linebackers. The running game is not popular in Phil Longo’s offense and will struggle against the Jaguars. Luckily Ole Miss has been quite the pass happy team in recent years. Although Jeremy Reaves returns at safety, most of the secondary lack experience and talent. Shea will throw for a whole heap of yards, and the Longo’s offense will shine against the weak secondary. This game will also be a test of the depth of the offensive line and the run game.

Revamped Landshark Defense Needs To Show Up

Poor tackling, no heart, and lack of talent were all used to describe the Ole Miss defense last season. All three were also addressed with new recruits, new coaches, and a new attitude. Yes, there is a lot of new additions to this defense and its something to be excited for! This game will be the first test for Mcgriff and HC Matt Luke.

The Jaguars return the most productive QB in the Sun Belt conference. In addition, one of the best runners in the school’s short history. With all the talent in the backfield, they do have a weakness. The offensive line has been injured most of the off-season, which will be blood in the water for the talented defensive line that Ole  Miss has put together.

The defensive line will need to be disruptive to put this game away. With Marquis Hayes, Breeland Speaks and Benito Jones that shouldn’t be an issue. If the offensive line of the Jaguars comes in healthy this could be dangerous.

Also the run game will be a strong suit for South Alabama and this was an obvious weakness for the Rebels last year. If the tailbacks get past the line the linebackers will have to wrap up and tackle. Again, something they were dreadful at last season. Weak play at WR for South Alabama will mean Ole Miss’ secondary should have an easier time. Although true freshmen D.D. Bowie is expected to have major playing time, Ken Webster being suspended, they will still stop the inexperienced Jags.

Next: SEC Week One Winners & Losers!

Although many people including myself see this as a dangerous game, Ole Miss will come out in fashion. The offense will be the typical offense and score in the masses. The defense will show up and it’ll be in a mini shark week in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. My prediction: Ole Miss puts up 42, South Alabama squeaks out 17.

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