Week three brings probably the most anticipated and toughest games on the entire Ole Miss schedule. The No. 15 Rebels (2-0) are traveling to Tuscaloosa to take on the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0) to open up SEC play. Last years meeting was one for the ages as College Gameday was in the Grove for the first time ever, and on hand to witness Ole Miss' shocking upset of the top ranked Crimson Tide. That being said, it is important to note that Nick Saban (arguably the best coach in the game) does not lose revenge games. Nick Saban has also never lost a league home opener (8-0). College Gameday will be attending this game once again. Alabama is coming off of two out of conference wins, first beating then ranked No. 20 Wisconsin in Arlington, Texas, by a score of 35-17. Last week, the Crimson Tide came home for the first time to play Middle Tennessee, winning 37-10. The biggest story line for Alabama so far is much like Ole Miss, finding a quarterback. Right now, Senior QB Jacob Coker has started both games for offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, but has been inconsistent at best. So expect dose upon dose of Derrick Henry, the punishing runner and Heisman hopeful, as well as Kenyan Drake, who is a threat to score every single time he touches the ball. It will be interesting to see how the Ole Miss front seven can hold up against Alabama's huge offensive line and willingness to pound Henry right into the teeth of the Rebel defense. On the other side, everyone has been buzzing about Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly, who threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns, while running in a fourth one, in a 73-21 home blowout against Fresno State. Ole Miss is currently the number one scoring offense in the NCAA, but Alabama is as big, strong, fast, and physical as they come on defense. Something will have to give. It is still not clear whether or not Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil will play Saturday or not, but the Rebels sure could use him to help protect Kelly if they want to get the same production in the passing game against Alabama's freakish pass rushers. Hugh Freeze is on the record saying that this Alabama front seven is "as talented as he's ever seen." If Ole Miss is to win this game, Kelly is going to have to be cool under pressure, because there will be pressure, and don't make the huge mistakes. It is going to take some explosive plays, and Ole Miss can not afford to miss these opportunities when they come. It is also vital that the Rebels can establish some sort of running game, because as good as Chad and the receivers are, a one-dimensional offense against a Nick Saban coached defense can become anemic VERY quickly. Ultimately, I think this game will come down to defense (shocker there), and quarterback play. This will be a defensive struggle, and whatever quarterback is able to make the big plays, and not the disastrous ones, will lead their team to a close victory. It's honestly too close to say, but Alabama is 25-1 in the all-time series when the game is played in Tuscaloosa. Talk about serious home field advantage.
As far as uniforms go, this one is going to be a beaut. We have two of the most classic and iconic looks in all of football matching up in one of the biggest games of the year. Alabama will look great, as always, in their Crimson helmets with white TV numbers on the side, a single white stripe down the middle, and gray face masks. They will be wearing their home Crimson jerseys with the white numerals, white pants with the double Crimson stripes.
Classic looks never go out of style.
Which is why Ole Miss needs to come out in their vintage iconic look, the gray pants. (Can you tell those are my favorite?) It's a white game, so we know the Rebels are wearing their road white jersey. Last time time Ole Miss was in T-Town, they trotted out in this:
The white with the red numbers and shoulder stripes on top of the gray pants. But this year, the program is encouraging all traveling fans to wear Navy Blue, so you can expect the team to follow the same dress code, hopefully in their white jerseys with the Navy Blue numbers and shoulder stripes.
Where at?: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
Playing surface: Natural Grass
Gametime: 8:15 pm CT on ESPN
See y'all in T-Town
No comments:
Post a Comment