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Ole Miss Football: Rebels Need Big Bounce Back Against Kent State

By Daniel Skipper

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 8: A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels points to the sky after scoring a touchdown against the Southern Illinois Salukis during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 8: A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels points to the sky after scoring a touchdown against the Southern Illinois Salukis during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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After a rough week-three for Ole Miss football with a 62-7 loss to No.1 Alabama we turn the attention to Kent State with the OHT week-four preview.

Ole Miss football (2-1, 0-1) had a very bad game against the No.1 Alabama Crimson Tide which resulted in embarrassing 62-7 blowout. This week the Rebels remain home in Oxford to host the Kent State Golden Flashes (1-2). The Golden Flashes enter Saturdays game coming off a 63-10 loss at No.11 ranked Penn State.

Kent State has the one win over Howard which the Golden Flashes won 54-14. Kent State’s other loss was a 31-24 decision at Illinois in their season opener. Head coach Sean Lewis is in his first season with the Golden Flashes which is also his first head coaching job. Lewis was previously the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at both Syracuse and Bowling Green.

So far in 2018 the Golden Flashes offense has put up 1,185 yards of total offense averaging 395.0 yards of total offense per game. The Golden Flashes offense has been very balanced with 579 yards coming on the ground and 606 yards thru the air. The Kent State defense has been good in light of who they have played giving up 1,406 yards to their opponents allowing 641 yards on the ground and 765 yards thru the air.

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The Golden Flashes may have a young head coach and a 1-2 record but don’t think for one second this team isn’t talented. Not only are they talented but they also have experience at some critical skill positions which makes them a big play threat.

The Golden Flashes have two very good running backs in juniors Justin Rankin and Jo-El Shaw. Rankin leads the Golden Flashes with 30 carries for 199 yards and 1 TD in three games. Shaw has 22 carries for 127 yards and 3 TDs.

Kent State also has a very mobile quarterback who also has a good arm. Sophomore Woody Barrett has 44 carries for 177 yards and 2 rushing TDs. Barrett has also completed 61 of 106 attempts for 602 yards and 4 TDs while throwing 3 INTs.

At wide receiver the Golden Flashes have some good targets for Barrett on the outside. Junior Mike Carrigan has 13 receptions for 117 yards and 2 TDs while another junior Antwan Dixon has 8 receptions for 107 yards and 1 TD. Freshman Isaiah McKoy is one to keep an eye on with 7 receptions for 95 yards and 1 TD. Senior Raekwon James has 7 receptions for 76 yards.

What To Expect From Kent State

With coach Sean Lewis being a former co-OC and QB coach we can likely count on a heavy dose of what Southern Illinois and Bama did. Ole Miss DC Coach Wesley McGriff has the burden of proof in this matchup. With the 127th ranked defense he will have to prove his defense can stop the Golden Flashes for 60 minutes. Coach Sean Lewis is smart and he will try to test the Rebels defense until the Rebels can stop him. The Rebels desperately need to find at least a somewhat better defense before they have to travel to Baton Rouge next Saturday.

What To Expect From Ole Miss

Coach Matt Luke and his coordinators know this is the last chance to get back on track after the Alabama game. The Rebels need to get back on track with the offense. This would be a great game for Longo to open up both the running game and the pass game. The main thing is to clean up the little mistakes which will hurt you against SEC opponents later in the season. On the other side of the ball the Rebels MUST produce a defense which can challenge opposing offenses. The Rebels have the talent and hopefully they show up and make some big plays.

This is a game in which the Rebels need to set the bar at perfection on both sides of the ball. Coach Matt Luke and OC Phil Longo need to turn the Rebels offense wide open and let them get back to clicking at full speed. Whatever needs to be done to put a competitive defense on the field has to be achieved in this game. Not just do both sides of the ball need to be productive but they also need to make a huge statement. Of course, OHT made this prediction months ago but after this past Saturday this game could get much uglier.

OHT Prediction

Ole Miss Rebels 56

Kent State Golden Flashes 10

Next. Season Predictions!. dark

The Ole Miss Rebels (2-1, 0-1) will be back in action as they host the Kent State Golden Flashes Saturday in Oxford. Kickoff from the Vaught is set for 11am CT and the game will be televised via the SEC Network. Good luck to coach Matt Luke and the Rebels. BEAT THE FLASHES! Hotty Toddy!

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