Ole Miss Football: Okay, It’s finally gameweek for the Rebels

So the 2020 Ole Miss football season begins this week when the Rebels face off against former MSU head coach and the Florida Gators.

Ole Miss football fans, as well as others, have waited for the 2020 college football season. While we still can’t be absolutely sure about how the 2020 season will play out, at least Rebels fans are ready for the debut of head coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebels. This Saturday the SEC kicks off and the Rebels and Florida Gators will battle in Oxford.

The Rebels have managed to grind through the fall camp in preparation. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebels have managed to avoid mass numbers of positive COVID tests and have also managed to limit injuries to just bumps and bruises. Still, Rebels fans are anxious to see what kind of team Kiffin and his staff will field this season.

 Should Be Interesting

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Regardless of what some college football pundits may be saying about the Rebels, there are a few things Ole Miss football fans can be completely sure about. It is certain Kiffin has more than enough talent on the 2020 roster to compete at a very high level.

The Rebels return the majority of their starters on the offensive side of the ball. In 2019 the Rebels produced the No.1 rushing offense in the SEC and return sophomore running backs Jerrion Ealy and Snoop Conner. Both are dangerous out of the backfield and have big play ability.

Also returning is sophomore quarterback John Rhys Plumlee who led the Rebels on the ground. The quarterback competition in fall camp has been an intense battle between Plumlee and redshirt sophomore Matt Corral.

Regardless of who starts as the signal-caller, we know the Rebels also have talent at the wide receiver and tight end positions. Among available targets for the Rebels are junior Elijah Moore and redshirt freshmen Demarcus Gregory and Miles Battle. Rebels fans also look forward to the debut of graduate transfer Kenny Eboah who is expected to be very good at the tight end position. If the Rebels can put together a good front five then offensive expectations should be easily attainable.

Better Defensive Scheme

While Rebels fans can be sure Ole Miss football will be faster and better on offense there are concerns on the defensive side of the ball. In the past number of seasons, there have been major issues on defense. Many games have been played out where the Rebels defense gave up huge chunks of yardage and points which resulted in losses.

This season we can expect a different look on the defense with the addition of co-defensive coordinators DJ Durkin and Chris Partridge. Both coaches have experience and have found significant success with previous programs. In 2020 these coaches will have the opportunity to give the Rebels a new defense but will also have the talent and depth which has been a deficiency in recent seasons.

The Rebels have experienced defensive personnel coming back for 2020. Deep on the D-line and at the EDGE, the Rebels are also deep at the linebacker position. The biggest storylines of the fall are Jaylon Jones who was named the 2020 Chucky Mullins Courage Award winner and the reinstatement of Sam Williams. OHT will have more this week about the defense and what to expect.

Please be sure to check back here for more Ole Miss football news as we inch closer to the Rebels season opener set for September 26. Be sure to follow OHT on Twitter and check out the OHT Facebook page for the latest Rebels news, updates, and opinion. Stay safe and Hotty Toddy!