Once again, the Ole Miss offense is being questioned after the Rebels lost 29-26 in overtime to LSU. The game could have been over long before the clock ticked towards overtime, but missed opportunities on offense kept the Tigers hanging around.
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier found wide receiver Kyren Lacy to end the game after the Rebels could only manage a field goal on their possession in OT. Now, as they head into a bye week, where do they go from here?
Missed chances have fans questioning Ole Miss's offense
Ole Miss could have been 17-0 up in the first quarter, but mistakes meant they ended the quarter at 0-0. First wide receiver Tre Harris failed to bring in a pass from Jaxson Dart, which likely would have seen him streak away for the touchdown. A missed field goal and a turnover on downs at the 10-yard line, thanks to a busted blocking play, had the Rebels at 0 points in the first quarter.
Elite teams don’t drop open TD passes.
— Everything Ole Miss (@EverythingRebs) October 13, 2024
Elite teams don’t miss easy field goals.
Elite teams don’t turn the ball over multiple times.
Elite teams take advantage of opponent mistakes.
We just aren’t there. I have never wanted us to be more in my entire life, but we aren’t.
Yes this Ole Miss defense is feasting right now.
— Derrell Hart Jr., Pharm.D. (@Derrell_PharmD) October 13, 2024
You’ve got to imagine at some point it’s going to bend and break.
I would never have imagined a Lane Kiffin offense just can’t score.
Unreal
The mistakes ole miss offense makes in big game just irritate your soul
— Yarnell Marks (@BigBeastMarks) October 13, 2024
The Ole Miss defense, especially the defensive front, showed out again, frequently getting the LSU offense off the field. Walter Nolen was a menace throughout the game, with the officials failing to spot numerous holding calls on the defensive tackle. The defense held up their bargain for the majority of the game, with the offense not helping them stay on the field for long periods.
Still held some skepticism about the Ole Miss defense due to the competition so far, but I've seen enough. Legit.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) October 13, 2024
Ole Miss defense playing their butts off. Wish our offense would wake up!!
— Presley Coleman (@CoachPresleyC) October 13, 2024
Walter Nolen finally draws the holding call. All. Game. Long.
— The Sip Central (@sip_central) October 13, 2024
Ole Miss will head into a bye week, giving them two weeks to prepare for Oklahoma and an unbeaten finish to the season that still should secure a playoff spot. Two losses were always the floor; now, the Rebels will need to win out, including a home game against Georgia.
The good news for Ole Miss is that they can win the remaining games if they cut out the errors. The team gave up over 100 yards of penalties, leaving points on the field. It's a clean game, and this team can beat anybody, though it seems more complicated to execute now.