Ole Miss Football: Rebels Week-Three Preview, No.1 Alabama

Bama On Defense

The Tide has been long been known for having great defenses and while they have only played two games there is little to make us think this Tide defense is any different. Each season we see the Tide defense torn apart by the NFL Draft and yet they still find talented players to fill the gaps. So far in 2018 the Tide has allowed only 659 yards of total offense giving up 470 yards thru the air and 189 yards on the ground. The Tide has allowed 3 TDs passing but have yet to allow a rushing TD. Alabama’s defense has 14 TFL, 6 sacks and 3 interceptions thru 2 games.

Junior DB Deionte Thompson leads Bama in tackles with 11 total and has 1.5 TFLs plus 1 INT. Sophomore LB Dylan Moses has 7 totals tackles with 2 sacks while senior DE Isaiah Buggs also has 7 total tackles and 2 sacks. Junior DB Saivion Smith has 9 total tackles with .5 TFL and 1 INT. Other Tide defensive players to watch for are sophomore DB Xavier McKinney, junior LB Anfernee Jennings and sophomore DT Quinnen Williams. McKinney has 10 total tackles, .5 sacks and 2 pass breakups. Jennings has 5 total tackles and .5 sack while Williams has 8 total tackles with 3.5 TFLs, 1 pass breakup and 2 QB hurries.

Expect the Tide defense to try to test the Rebels offensive line. Saban knows he has to get pressure on Ta’amu to try to force the shorter throws to the NWO. Bama realizes the threat of the Ole Miss passing game and will try to keep everything in front of them. Of course, the Bama defensive line is big and will try to stuff any hopes of a Rebels rushing game. While most eyes will be on the Rebels offensive weapons the best matchups will likely be in the trenches and will have a huge effect on the flow of the Ole Miss offense and the outcome of the game.