This Ole Miss offense is going to be FUN. The defense has some questions, but expect the Rebels to pull an upset or two in the SEC West.
Matt Luke did not have an enviable job in 2017. Promoted to head coach around a month before the season began, Luke was forced to be the interim coach for a program facing sanctions. Despite losing their quarterback, the Rebels were able to make a late push to get to 6-6, including an upset over rival Mississippi State. Still facing another year of a bowl ban, the expectations for the Rebels are not very high. The offense though, should be electric. If Luke can keep the team motivated, they could be a team late in the year that scares SEC West foes.
Prestige Ranking: 4
Despite the looming sanctions over the program, I implore you to look at the good times. The good times being beating Bama twice in a row and demolishing Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl. If you told Ole Miss fans that they could do all that and then face sanctions, would they change anything? I am not so sure that they would. I don’t think I would.
Returning Starters: 13
Offense: 9
QB Jordan Ta’amu, WR DK Metcalf, WR A.J. Brown, WR DaMarkus Lodge, LT Greg Little, LG Javon Patterson, C Sean Rawlings, RT Alex Givens, TE Dawson Knox
When Shea Patterson went down during the LSU game, many people assumed that Ole Miss was finished. Enter Jordan Ta’amu. Ta’amu went 3-2 in his starts and showed the poise to be a successful QB in the SEC. His big arm complements the vertical game well, and his ability to not turn the ball over (4 ints) will certainly help what is likely to be a shaky defense. A full season under center should have him pushing for All-SEC honors. Behind him is four star freshman Matt Corral, who is the QB of the future, and should be able to step up if need be.
On a stacked offense, the major question is who the lead back is going to be. Junior D’Vaughn Pennamon is the leading returning rusher, but totaled only 217 yards and two touchdowns. Thankfully for this offense, running back isn’t the most important position, it’s the receivers.
Oh my, these receivers. In addition to being my favorite group of receivers I have covered, might be the best in the nation. A.J. Brown is absolutely filthy, having led the SEC in yards a season ago with 1,252. Having watched him in person, I can confirm he is almost uncoverable, and should take his talents to the NFL after this season. But wait, there’s more. DK Metcalf and DaMarkus Lodge both totaled nearly 700 yards each. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Brown and one of those two both surpass 1,000 yards this season. TE Dawson Knox is more of a receiver than a blocker, and came on late in thee year along with Ta’amu. This receiving corp is amazing, and will likely ruin someone’s season at some point.
The offensive line benefits from returning four of five starters, including former five-star Greg Little. Center Sean Rawlings is a multi year starter and a rock in the middle. Jordan Sims is the only player who did not start last season, and that is because he was overtaken by Alex Givens, who is now at right tackle, so Sims has the experience. The line should give Ta’amu plenty of time to find his receivers downfield.
Defense: 4
DT Benito Jones, DT Josiah Coatney, CB Myles Hartsfield, SS Zedrick Woods
The run defense was absolutely atrocious last year. Like bad to the point that the only way they can go is up. The Rebels lose both outside pass rushers, but do return both interior lineman. Benito Jones will likely be the leader of the group. The development of new contributors along the line will be key to how the defense improves.
There is concern at linebacker as well following DeMarquis Gate’s departure. Detric Bing-Dukes looks tabbed to play in the middle, where he rotated in at last season. The outside spot was manned in the spring by Willie Hibbler, a converted Tight End. I am not real sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Luke seems content with the group though, harping on the need to get tougher and all that ra-ra coach speak.
The secondary is where most the experience resides. Ken Webster should be on the better corners on the team, and should be the #1 guy. One player to watch is sophomore D.D. Bowie. A big recruit out of high school, the athletic corner may end up being the most talented corner on the team by the end of the year. Senior Zedrick Woods has started most his career, and is the most talented player on the backend. The Rebels have plenty of depth, but much of it unproven. Players such as Bowie stepping up will go a long way in solidifying the defensive backfield.
Special Teams: 0
The Rebels will be replacing both their punter and kicker this season. Both are walk-ons who are largely untested. Kicker Luke Logan was two for three a season ago with his successful attempts coming from under 30-yards.
Tyroil Smoochie-Wallace All Name Team Member: Mac Brown
This was too good to pass up.
Key Losses: Jordan Wilkins, Maruis Haynes, Breeland Speaks
Wilkins was the first 1,000-yard rusher the Rebels had in a while, and there is not a whole lot of experience behind him. The pass-first offense will likely be fine without him, but his ability on the ground would have put it on another level.
Haynes and Speaks were two key cogs on the d-line. Speaks finished with 67 tackles and a monster egg bowl. Haynes was the leader in sacks with 7.5. Both could be sorely miss if the defense does not improve, especially while trying to stop the run.
Five Year Recruiting Rank: 29
Say what you want about Hugh Freeze and his perceived methods of recruiting, but he got results. Yes, with the sanctions coming, the expectation (and reality) is that the classes will decline. However, Luke has done well enough early (read: early) in the recruiting cycle to give fans some hope, including flipping recruits from in-state rival Mississippi State.
Alcohol Prediction for Fans: Hotty Toddy
Some jokes just write themselves folks. This drink, while aptly named, also can be a good look at the Rebels season. It is sweet with honey, like watching that amazing offense, but also has the burn of whiskey. You know what else will burn? Watching that defense if they can’t develop.
Outlook:
As blasphemous as this may be for me to write as Mississippi State student. I think Ole Miss is going to be fun to watch this year. Week one vs. Texas Tech? Sign. Me. Up. This is a team with nothing but pride to play for, and that is the most dangerous kind. If, and that is a big if, the defense holds, this is a 6-7 win team. I would not be shocked if they beat LSU and get Coach O fired in week 5. Rebel fans, you might not be able to go to a bowl, but you can still have a good year.