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

Behind Enemy Lines

This week Ole Miss football faces Alabama in Oxford. Ole Hotty Toddy had a chance for some Q&A with Ron Evans who is site expert and contributor for Bama Hammer, the FanSided Alabama site. Of course I was digging for vital information and any sliver of hope I could find of a Ole MIss win this Saturday and afterward I do feel somewhat better. Maybe his answers will ease some of your worries about the game against Bama as well.

It is well-known Alabama is fertile ground for the NFL talent and each year the NFL draft plucks player after player from the Bama roster. However, each season it seems Saban simply plugs in another body to fill the gaps and never misses a beat. I asked Ron if that were indeed the case again in 2018 and if there were any concerns in some of those positions this season?

"“D-line depth is an issue. Other than the two starts Deionte Thompsom got in the CFB Playoff and the one quarter Tevon Diggs played as a starter in the season opener against FSU, the ’18 secondary is new. The Tide is also thin at inside linebacker.” ~Ron Evans, Bama Hammer"

Of course, Alabama has also been long known for having very talented players and are normally very solid on both sides of the ball. I asked Ron, after two games, which side of the ball was the strongest for Bama and why? I also asked what the differences were on that side of the ball compared to 2017?

"“QB, RB, WR, TE are strength positions. Offense is more explosive than any past Tide teams. OL not fully up to par yet but plenty of talent. Secondary is vulnerable because of little game experience. The punter is struggling.” ~Ron Evans, Bama Hammer"

More With Bama Hammer

Naturally much of the SEC was forced to follow the Alabama quarterback controversy which existed between Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa. Of course, both quarterbacks are very good and either seem to be capable of running the Tide offense. I asked Ron which QB he believed to be the best and who he would start if he were Saban?

"“Tua by far is the better QB and has a chance to be one of the SEC’s best ever.” ~Ron Evans, Bama Hammer"

While we could probably close our eyes and put our finger on the Bama roster and not ever hit a player which isn’t very talented, I asked Ron which players to watch for on both sides of the ball this Saturday?

"“All the RBs, Harris, Harris, Jacobs. LT Jonah Williams. Jaylen Waddle WR/KR is electric. On D, Raekwon Davis, Quinnen Williams up front, Mack Wilson and Dylan Moses at linebacker and Deionte Thompson at safety. Talent, speed, toughness, athletic ability in all of them.” ~Ron Evans, Bama Hammer"

Bama Hammer’s Prediction

We all have our own ideas of how the game may go Saturday. While some of us believe it will be a good game there are those Rebels and Bama fans who believe it will be a replay of 2017. Of course I asked Ron to give me his thoughts on the game and to give me his final score.

"“Ole Miss will have some success against the Tide D, maybe a good bit. Doubt OM can stop the Tide run game. OM will have to blitz often to try and stop Tua. This Tide offense can win a shootout. 52-31 Alabama.” ~Ron Evans, Bama Hammer"

While none of Ron’s answers come as a surprise to most of us there were a few things which popped out. The Tide offense is undoubtably very good as was expected but apparently the Tide may have some issues on defense. Does this benefit the Rebels in Saturdays game? Normally slight lapses in the Bama defense might not play very much bearing on the flow of the game but for the Phil Longo offense this huge. Ole Miss has a very experienced offense with weapons which can take advantage of mismatches if any exist.

The problems for Ole Miss are on the defensive side of ball. For the Rebels to have a shot at a win they have to play hard, aggressive and consistent from the whistle and have to stay focused. Saban will try to take advantage of the Rebels weaknesses on defense and will attack it until the Rebels stop. It is essential for McGriff and the Rebels defense to suppress the Tide run game and force throws. However, the Rebels also have to be stingy in the secondary and not allow Bama to get downfield on long passes. They have to keep the Tide receivers close and in front. If the Rebels can pressure Tua and create a few bad decisions it will go a long way to a Rebels win.

OHT’s Forecast & Final

Way back before the 2018 Ole Miss football season was even close to beginning OHT made some early predictions for the season and wins and losses. Of course, since the season began there have been some things surface which certainly made me re-think my original predictions. Bama is solid on paper of course and they always are but after just two games against Louisville and Arkansas State there are still some unknowns. For both defenses the opposing offenses Saturday may very well be the best either teams face this season. This game should answer a lot of questions for fans of both teams in this aspect.

Originally I picked Bama to win this game over the Rebels and after the Rebels defensive first-half meltdown this past Saturday I’m inclined to believe that will indeed be the outcome. However, the homer in me wants to believe this past Saturday was just a fluke which was a result of looking ahead to this week. If that is truly the case the outcome of this game should be much better than 2017. This is a new Ole Miss team which is really very good on offense. If the defense makes their true contribution this Saturday this game could be a shoot-out. If that winds up the case I really like our chances with our offense.

OHT’s Week-one Final

Alabama 38

Ole Miss 21

The Ole Miss Rebels will host the No.1 Alabama Crimson Tide this Saturday in Oxford. Kickoff from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is set for 6pm CT and the game will be televised via ESPN. Good luck to coach Matt Luke and the Rebels as they face the Tide. BEAT BAMA! Hotty Toddy!