Ole Miss Football: Grove Grinder, Week-One Down, So Far So Good

Well week-one of the 2018 Ole Miss football season is in the books and with Saturdays win over Texas Tech all systems seem to be good to go so far.

Happy Labor Day Rebels. We have now put the 2018 Ole Miss football season opener in the books with a huge 47-27 win over Texas Tech. Before you ask why it was huge, please allow me to explain. First, it kicked off the season on a great start and it was decisive win. Even when it was close you still have that vibe the Rebels offense was going to bust a big play. Second, it wasn’t a cupcake team but a well-coached and very talented team with a very experienced defense and the Kingsbury version of the Air Raid offense. Third and most important, it shows the nation the Rebels are dangerous.

Oh it’s no big secret the national media and the college football pundits don’t show us much respect. I find it funny Vegas gets most of their booking info from these ‘experts’ who believed Ole Miss was the underdog in the game against Texas Tech. Apparently the experts had it all wrong and the Rebels hammered the Red Raiders and the experts projection of Texas Tech being a 2.5 point favorite. I believe those experts had their scouting reports very mixed up when they were obviously getting rogue information. I may be no expert but I had the Rebels winning 42-31. Just saying. But I’ll sit here and sip my tea while we move along.

About The Big Win

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I’m sure I feel the same way most Ole Miss fans feel about the Rebels today. I was very happy with the outcome and despite still having a few concerns overall pleased with the Rebels in week-one. We saw the Rebels offense come out as many of us expected and utilize the weapons they have.

Jordan Ta’amu had a great game and made some incredible throws while still taking care of the ball. The NWO is lights out again this season and we can expect them to have some huge games. Texas Tech has a very good secondary and had no answer for the Rebels passing or running attacks.

JUCO transfer Scottie Phillips and his 204 yard rushing game was a welcomed site. One fear which some Rebels had was about the special teams and how they would perform with a few new face. Luke Logan put those fears to rest going a perfect 4 for 4 in the game. Jaylon Jones had a 94 yard TD return as well.

It would have been nice to have seen somebody wave a magic wand over the Ole Miss defense but it isn’t that simple for Ole Miss fans or coach Wesley McGriff. This is a different defense from what we saw last season and that is a plus. They do play much more physical and are more aggressive. All three levels of the defense played very physical the entire game and we saw some savage hits from a number of players. The secondary gave up a few more yards than expected however as a group they had some of the biggest plays in the game.

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While the defense did show improvement in the run game they still took way too many snaps. As long as they fail to stop big 1st and 2nd down plays they are going to see a lot of the field. Making consistent and consecutive big plays is the key to getting off the field. The defense did do well on 3rd down conversions stopping Tech 42.1% of the time. They also held the Red Raiders to 0 for 4 on 4th down conversions. There is no doubt this defense will get better as the season goes on but for their first game of the season they played pretty good.

Not So Random Stuff

It was great to see the Rebels fans which made the trip to Houston to support the Rebels. You have no idea what an effect it has on the player and what it means to see them supported in a hostile environment. It’s always nice to see the Rebels fans travel for big games and I know the ones who did really enjoyed the win. Ole Hotty Toddy contributor Jim Shute was in attendance and had a very good time from what I gathered. Jim only needed one word to describe his experience, “Incredible.”

Also great to see was the initial 53-man roster deadline come Saturday and see 25 NFL Rebels who present. The 2018 NFL Preseason began with 31 former Rebels and for 25 to make rosters is incredible. It really speaks to the success the Ole Miss football program has seen over the past 15 years. Eli Manning, the former NFL Iron Man, is the oldest NFL Rebel and he is entering his 14th season. Of course, the other 24 NFL Rebels also played for Ole Miss over the past 15 years.

Next. Five Takeaways From Tech. dark

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