#TheSeason ~ Episode Nine

Texas A&M.

The Essay: Ole Miss vs. Texas A&M Uniform Review / Ole Miss vs. Auburn Uniform Preview ~ 2015

The Rebels Return

Just weeks ago, the Ole Miss Rebels were coming off of an Earth shaking victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa. In the eyes of the college football world, especially the Ole Miss fans, that night now seems like ages ago. What followed were a seemingly innumerable amount of injuries, all to key players, along the offensive line and in defensive secondary. This resulted in noticeable gaps in performance from the team. Couple that with some questionable coaching calls and some uninspired play, and the Rebels very quickly found themselves free falling from their perch in the college football rankings. Now in a very bleak situation as far as preseason goals, Ole Miss had accumulated two embarrassing road losses at the hands of the Florida Gators and the Memphis Tigers. The Ole Miss team that started the season out as the nation's top scoring offense and dominating defense was all but gone. With a home game against the high flying and highly ranked Texas A&M Aggies approaching, as well as match-ups with an unpredictably talented Auburn team on the Plains, a gritty Arkansas team at home, unbeaten LSU and Heisman Trophy front runner Leonard Fournette coming to Oxford, and the always hospitable trip to Starkville and Mississippi State looming, there was a span of time where even the most optimistic of Rebel fans would have a hard time not writing this team off. But then, something changed. This past Saturday inside the walls of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, donning their Red jersey and Gray pants, the Rebels returned.

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

What ensued was a complete beatdown of the Aggies. In front of a raucous Ole Miss home crowd, the defense thrived as the crowd roared. It was a night and day difference from the previous four weeks. The offense was clicking on all cylinders, running and throwing the rock at will. 

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

The Landshark Defense was once again living up to it's name, seeming to feed off of the crowd's energy. Play after play, possession after possession, the defense gave A&M nothing. There was a stretch in the middle of the game where Aggie quarterback Kyle Allen went twenty-two straight throws without even gaining a positive yard. 

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

All of this was done in spite of star defensive tackle, and future number one overall pick, Robert Nkemdiche's absence due to a concussion he had sustained against Memphis in the previous week. From the opening kickoff, until the final whistle blew, it was total domination. 

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

Offensively, the return of Laremy Tunsil had an immediate impact on the entire unit. Ole Miss could finally run the football, pounding away at Texas A&M for 230 yards. This was huge, because in the games against Memphis and Florida, the ground game only averaged about 95 yards, total. Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly sure appreciated the help, too. Having Tunsil back at left tackle allowed the makeshift offensive line that had plagued offensive production in the the past weeks to move players back into their more natural positions. This newfound cohesiveness allowed Kelly to have more time in the pocket to find a target, and less time lying on his back. 

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

The results were astounding, as Kelly started the game completing his first twelve pass attempts, then finishing up with 241 yards and two touchdowns (He had his third called back on a questionable penalty).

With the domination of Texas A&M safely in the record books, it is safe to say that Ole Miss is starting to get their groove back. There are plenty of good reasons why their return should be something every Rebel fan, every college football fan, should get behind. First and foremost, Ole Miss travels to Auburn this weekend for a rematch in which the prequel almost cost one Rebel his career, and cost his teammates their season. Wide receiver Laquon Treadwell remembers that night all too well. It was late in the fourth quarter of a back and forth game, a game that was essentially a playoff play-in between two one-loss SEC West rivals who were currently clinging to numbers three and four in the College Football Playoff committee's rankings. Treadwell had been essential to the Rebels comeback drive up until that moment, and looked pretty much unstoppable as he took a screen pass into the middle of the field and turned toward the end zone. What followed was a heartbreaking and gut-wrenching injury that haunts Rebel Nation even today. As Laquon seemingly scored the game winning touchdown for the Rebels, he was dragged down from behind by a Tiger defender, causing the ball to fall out of his outstretched hand as he crossed the goal line. 

Upon further review, and injured and crying Laquon, as well as the entirety of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, had to listen to the referee explain how he had simultaneously dropped the football when injuring his leg, but prior to breaking the plane of the end zone, therefore the result of the play was a fumble, recovered by Auburn. The star receiver, the game, and the season, all lost in an instant.

Fast forward to present day, and Laquon has come back better than ever. He has been tearing up opposing defenses, and will likely be the number one wide receiver taken in the 2016 NFL Draft. He leads the Southeastern Conference in receiving yards, receiving yards per game, receptions, and receptions per game. Basically, he leads the best conference in the sport in most of the statistical categories a possible to a wide receiver. I think it is safe to say that Laquon has been looking forward to this week for a long time. All of the physical therapy, training, and work it took to get him back to this point, all of that motivation, will accumulate inside the friendly confines of Jordan-Hare Stadium. When asked for a comment on the upcoming game, Treadwell was short and to the point, saying simply, “They're going to feel my pain.”

If that is not enough reason to jump back on the Rebel bandwagon, perhaps the fact that in spite of picking up their second loss in Memphis two weeks ago, Ole Miss still controls the SEC West, and in theory, their own destiny in the College Football Playoff. With their early season win over the Crimson Tide, if the Rebels run the table, they will make it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game, making it the first trip in Ole Miss football history. If they were to win that game, it would be hard to imagine a scenario where an 11-2 SEC Champion, owning wins over Alabama and LSU, would not make the four team field. Sure, two losses is not flashy, but there is no way to have a so called “true champion” come out of a bracket that did not include the best team from the best league in the sport. The Playoff Committee would have an interesting time sorting that one out, and I for one would love nothing more.

As for this weekends matchup against Auburn, we already know Laquon Treadwell's plans for the Tiger defense.  It's impossible to predict which Auburn team will show up, but Guz Malzahn's offense is always dangerous, and the Tigers have a talented team.  That being said, I like to think that if the Ole Miss defense shows up to play like they did against Texas A&M, it is going to be a long, rough day for Auburn's rookie quarterback Sean White.  They got a big new scoreboard that they are obsessed with, which is cool I guess.  Must be an inferiority complex thing, cause State's kinda got that goin' on too.

 It's a wear Red game, so if you're heading out to Lee County, don't forget it.  Like I said last week for the A&M game, I try to predict the uniforms, but Hugh Freeze reads my blog and chooses accordingly (opposite of what I pick, that is).  Common sense says that because Auburn will have Navy on, the Rebs are going to have to wear a white jersey, but accent wise you would think they will go with something Red (like the crowd).  But, last time the Rebs went to Auburn, it looked like this:

 Awful, IMO.  So I'm thinking:

OR.

White jersey, Red numbers, Gray pants OR white pants.  That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.  As long as it brings a win.

Like it or not, Ole Miss may have finally worked through it's mid-season woes. Key players are returning from injuries, and the coaching staff may have finally found a formula to get this team clicking again. Whatever they did in the Texas A&M game sure looked good. If the Rebels come out and play to their potential for the next four games, there is not a game on the schedule that they can't win. If Ole Miss can keep Chad Kelly upright and give him time to find a target, the Rebels can do whatever they want against any team in the country through the air. Kelly has that kind of arm talent, and the receivers are that good. Supplement that with a serviceable running game, and a defense that, when they come to play, can shut down even the best of offenses, and there is a recipe for something big. Auburn and the Hogs, the Bayou Bengals and the Dawgs all better get ready. The Rebels have returned, and Atlanta and the possibility of a playoff berth are still firmly within reach.

Where at?: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL

Playing surface: Natural Grass

Gametime: 11 am CT on ESPN

#TheSeason ~ Episode Eight

It's a toughy.

Ole Miss vs. Texas A&M Uniform Preview ~ 2015

Saturday night at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, the No. 24 Ole Miss Rebels will take on the No. 15 Texas A&M Aggies.  Both teams are coming off of a loss, with Ole Miss dropping a game at Memphis, and A&M being unable to hold up against Alabama at home.  In other words, both teams are in desperate need of a win, and this game carries significant implications on the SEC West Race, as both teams come in with only one conference loss.  The loser can likely kiss their chances at getting to Atlanta goodbye, as Alabama is continually gaining momentum with their one early season loss to the Rebels, and LSU being undefeated.

As for the uniforms, Texas A&M is Maroon, so expect the Rebs to be in their Navy Jersey.  What pants? I will be just as surprised as you at this point.  I like to think Gray.

But maybe a monochrome Navy Look?

Heck we might even wear Red for all I know.

Since Texas A&M has joined the SEC, the road team in this matchup has won the game every time.  Ole Miss is struggling on defense, especially in the secondary.  Texas A&M threw three interceptions last week against Alabama, all of which were returned for touchdowns.  Something will have to give Saturday night.

On the offensive line, Ole Miss is still struggling.  This week comes with some help, though, as star Laremy Tunsil will be making his first start of the 2015 season after finishing his seven game suspension after being under investigation by the NCAA.  On the flip side of the coin, starting Center Robert Conyers is now out for the year with a torn ACL.  So just as Tunsil is ready to return, the offensive line will once again be reshuffled in time for a solid defensive front, led by Myles Garrett, who has 8.5 sacks on the year.

Ole Miss safety Trae Elston has recovered from his concussion and will play Saturday night.  C.J. Johnson has said on Twitter that he would not miss the game, but nothing has been officially confirmed yet.  Safety Tony Conner will likely not play, looking to need more time to recover from his knee injury that has kept him out since the Alabama game.  Robert Nkemdiche needed to pass a few more concussion tests on Thursday before being cleared to play.  

The bottom line here is this.  We get to find out what kind of team this really is with everything on the line as far as SEC aspirations.  Texas A&M is a team that is known for its high flying offense and skill players, and the Landshark Defense will have their hands full.  Personally, I expect a high scoring affair because it seems the coaches have realized that Chad Kelly is pretty good at quarterback, and he may have a few okay receivers to throw to.  But if the offensive line can't hold up, and the pressure and sacks start to build up, it is going to be a long day to be a Rebel.

Like Hugh used to say, the Rebs just need to go out there, lock the gate, and pick a fight.

Where at?: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS

Playing surface: Artificial Field Turf

Gametime: 6 pm CT on ESPN

Ole Miss vs. Memphis Uniform Review ~ 2015

I don't even know where to begin with this one.  I am unsure if I can remember seeing something like what happened in the Liberty Bowl on Saturday before, I hope I don't have to see it again, but it's hard to argue with the fact that I probably will, multiple times, as the season sprints to a close.  The Rebels went up to Memphis and got outplayed, and frankly, out-coached. Simple as that.

It was a beautiful uniform combination, though.  Sadly, it was shown up by the Tigers and their heinous, Cincinnati Bengals rip-off, modgepodge of a uniform.  The Rebels came out in the Powder Blues once again, this time over White jerseys and Gray pants, the same combination that they used to take down the Tide in Tuscaloosa on a night that now seems like ages ago.

@OleMissFB

When the game started, it looked like Ole Miss may have finally gotten their groove back.  The Rebs scored 14 points and stuffed Memphis on every drive for the first five minutes of the game.  

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

Then like switching a light switch, the Ole Miss from Florida and Vanderbilt was back.  Memphis proceeded to score 31 unanswered points. When Ole Miss finally decided to wake back up, it was too late. They climbed into too big of a hole, and it cost them the game.

Let's go ahead and let this be known. I am not trying to take any credit at all away from the Tigers.  They are a good football team. Justin Fuente is doing a heckuva coaching job. Paxton Lynch is every bit the guy at quarterback.  But I am calling you a liar if you say you are shocked at what happened in Memphis. Yes sir (or ma'am), you. If you try to say that you did not see or think about this one coming, you are a liar.  Maybe you didn't want to admit it or believe it could happen, I know I didn't.  But Ole Miss has not been the same team since that night in Tuscaloosa, and maybe they never were.  Sure, injuries hurt, and the offensive line is still bad, but there is something else going on in Oxford.  Talent wise, this is one of those teams that you can look at and know that something special is there just waiting to be grasped.   This many players with that kind of ability don't string together on one team in the same year very often, especially not in Oxford, Mississippi.

So what happened?  Effort?  Injuries?  Coaching?  Honestly, I can't say.  It's not fair of me to judge when I am not an intimate part of the program.  I am not in the locker room, and I do not know the dynamic of this football team on that level.  

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

That being said, Senior Safety Trae Elston let the public in on a program issue, which is never what you want to have exposed as a coach. The ideal method is to deal with any problems internally, and learn from them. But, he said, "A lot of people on our team, we didn't have our heart into it."  Now, with only one loss, controlling your own destiny in the SEC and Playoff race should be enough to give any football team heart, but hey, what do I know. It could be nothing, but it is worrisome that a senior, a leader, is telling the media he thinks there is a lack of heart in his locker room.  So with that, I can only tell you my opinion based on what I hear, the performance every Saturday I see on the field, and the results that follow.  Right now it's not good.

There will be a lot of chatter and chirping about Freeze, his credibility and decision making, and once again I am as guilty as anyone sometimes. But we need to remember that this is a tough and unpredictable game.  Freeze has taken Ole Miss from the dumpster of college football to a team that is becoming competitive game-in and game-out in the toughest conference there is.

Sure, the decision to go for it on fourth down and not kick the field goal is ridiculed now. It didn't work.  Granted, the play call itself was questionable because that play would have a hard time working with a functional offensive line and running game, much less what the Rebels had out there, but I don't question actually going for it when Ole Miss desperately needed some momentum.  As for Robert Nkemdiche's concussion, come on man.  You can not blame Freeze for that.  I don't know any football coach out there who wouldn't do whatever he could to put his team in position to succeed. I don't know any coach who, with the same talent and situation, would not do the same thing.  The guy played running back in high school. 

 It's not like he's out there lost and in danger because he doesn't know how to play the position.  Not to mention, he is a monster out there.  I don't think I know any defender in the country who could take him down solo.  

No one was complaining when he was catching touchdowns.

 Or how about blowing up the Vanderbilt defensive front? What say you then?

  I say, he is just as susceptible to a concussion at defensive tackle, if not more so, as he is when he occasionally is playing power running back.  Heads collide every single snap down in the trenches.  He just happened to get tackled where his head hit the ground the wrong way. No one could have known it was coming, and that's football.  That's the name of the game.  He is a competitor and he knows what he's getting into when he straps on his chin strap. He wants to do anything within his power to help his football team win.  I promise he wouldn't have it any other way. Defensively, Tony Connor's absence is showing greater every game. The defensive backs are struggling in coverage. Tackling is exceptionally bad, and maybe coaching can fix it, but ultimately that is on the players. The correct call was made multiple times, and players were in the right position to make a play and get off of the field multiple times. Missed tackles killed that. So not everything can solely be put on the coaching, even though that is always the scapegoat.

There were some semi-positives from this game too. The receiving threat that this team poses can be lethal, lethal, if they can get it going. Laquon Treadwell is one of the best wideouts in recent memory. We're talkin' Julio Jones and A.J. Green good. If this is the direction the offense needs to go, then maybe they should pursue it. The coaching staff will make the best decision and handle it. 

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

 The bottom line is that it's easy to question something from the couch or recliner when the pressure isn't on you to make the call.  It's easy to chirp and chatter when something doesn't work or go well as you watch it on TV or from the bleachers.  Once again, I am just as guilty as the next guy sometimes, but it needs to stop.  If anyone can right the ship, we need to put faith in our coach to do so.  Injuries and unforeseen circumstances are hard to overcome, and the Rebels have had more than their fair share of both, but the coaching staff has been trusted to do just that as best as possible.  Don't forget that Ole Miss is only 3 1/2 years removed from 2-10, and every year since the staff has arrived they have improved their total in the win column.  If anything, the Rebels are still ahead of schedule as far as having to build the program from nothing, which is what it was, nothing.  Think about that for a second.  Yeah, it sucks to lose, especially when you're "supposed to win," but the world ain't over.  

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

Trust in the plan, trust in the team, and enjoy the ride.  Nobody can win 'em all, not even the Alabama's of the world.  So let's not get spoiled here.

It's way too early to jump ship. Hugh Freeze is our guy, so let's let the man coach and do his job.

Beat the hell outta Texas A&M.

Couldn't make the trip to Memphis due to a hot date I had planned with my Georgia girl (Can you blame me? Look at her).  And for those of y'all out there who have never been to Athens, let me tell ya, you need to get out there.  It's a good time to say the least.  Their football atmosphere is okay, too.  Between the Hedges: checked off the ole bucket list.

Ole Miss vs. Memphis Uniform Preview ~ 2015

Coming off of an "okay" homecoming win over Sun Belt bottom dweller New Mexico State (0-5), the No. 12 Rebels (5-1) showed some improvement going into their showdown with the No. 22 Memphis Tigers (5-0). The first half was ugly, but Ole Miss came out in the second half and looked a little more like their old selves.  

Unrelated to this game, but there was some HUGE news this week.  It comes as a great relief to Rebel Nation and the offensive line that the NCAA has finally released their findings and handed down their punishment to star tackle Laremy Tunsil, who has been serving a self-imposed six game suspension while he was under investigation for "impermissible benefits."  He will only have to sit out one more game, as the NCAA ruled that his "crime" was worth a seven game suspension and some other logistical repayments.  As far as playing time goes, "King Tunsil" will be back just in time to put Myles Garrett on the turf and to keep him out of Chad Kelly's ear.  Now, he won't have an impact on this week's game against Memphis, but having that elephant out of the room and getting Tunsil back for the upcoming SEC run is an enormous win for the Rebels both on the field and for the team's psyche.

Expect this to be a high scoring game, as Memphis comes in allowing around 27 points per game.  This bodes well for Chad Kelly and crew who are trying to regain momentum, having been one of the top scoring offensive units in all of college football this season with 47 points per game.  The Tigers don't have too bad of an offensive attack either, averaging 48 points per game as well.  The Landshark Defense, having shown some susceptibility to the pass, will be tested by Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch.  Lynch, who is completing 70.55% of his throws, has to this point tossed the rock for 1535 yards and 10 touchdowns, all with no interceptions.  Something has to give against the Rebels, who have 9 interceptions on the year (Safety Trae Elston leads the team with four, returning two for touchdowns).

The bottom line is this; if Ole Miss wants to get a win on the road against a good Memphis team (who have now won 12 straight), they will have to continue to clean things up and continue to show improvement.  Memphis' passing attack will be a good measuring stick for what we can expect when Texas A&M comes rolling into town next weekend.  With the SEC gauntlet that is to follow, the Rebs game against the Tigers should be a good gauge on where this team is at, and how we can expect them to play as they finish out the latter half of this season.

Uniform wise, expect the Rebels to come out in one of the variations of their White Road Jerseys, my money's on the Red one (because, ya know, Memphis is Blue).  But, I haven't had the best luck in choosing uniform combinations this year, I want to think that it is because Hugh likes to keep me guessing.  Here's my (homer) threads prediction for when we beat the Tigers:

White on Gray, can't beat it.

There is also the possibility of breaking out the White pants, which isn't a bad look either.

Just please no Navy pants.  Please Hugh.

Where at?: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, TN

Playing surface: Astro Turf

Gametime: 11 am CT on ABC

#TheSeason ~ Episodes Six & Seven

Episode Six: Florida

Episode Seven: New Mexico State (Homecoming)

Ole Miss vs. New Mexico State Uniform Review ~ 2015

Well, like I said in the last entry, Ole Miss needed this one.  It was an early kickoff in Oxford, and the atmosphere reflected it.  Coming off of an ugly and embarrassing loss to Florida, a non conference opponent who was expected to get pummelled coupled with an 11 o'clock kickoff time, the Grove was relatively empty.  The student section? Likewise.  Nonetheless, the Rebs put on a pretty good performance for what it was worth.  The uniforms were great.  Ole Miss came out in their classic Navy Blue jersey on top of Gray pants, the first time we have seen the combination this year.  

@OleMissFB

There was very little celebration though, as the defense still looked shaky, often times unable to get off of the field on third down, allowing the Aggies to mount some drives and roll along.  The Landsharks would often bend, but never broke, giving up only three points and hauling in two interceptions.  

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

Trae Elston snagged himself one, ending a New Mexico State drive that had moved into Rebel territory.

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

Chucky Mullins award winner Mike Hilton got his name on the stat sheet as well, recording his first interception of the year.

To sum it up, the defense looked average at best against inferior competition, and the Aggies missed two field goals.

The offense moved the ball well in spite of missing numerous starters, especially up front, but there were quite honestly too many sloppy moments to feel overly confident going into Memphis this weekend.  Sure, the Rebels continued to put up monster numbers against lesser competition, but Ole Miss had three turnovers against a less that average defense. These are all pretty big causes for concern with nothing but big conference games looming after the trip the Liberty Bowl.

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

Wide Receiver Laquon Treadwell had a big game, catching eight passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns, one of which belonged everybit on the SportsCenter top 10.

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Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

Running Back Eugene Brazley led the team in rushing with 98 yards and a touchdown, which was a 78 yard scamper seen above.

Simply put, it Ole Miss wants to keep winning and stay in control of its SEC and Playoff destiny, they need to continue to improve.  Memphis is up next.

Ole Miss vs. New Mexico State Uniform Preview ~ 2015

I think it goes without saying, but I'll say it anyways.  Ole Miss needed this game, bad.  Coming off of an embarrassing, blowout loss down in Gainesville at the hands of the Florida Gators, the Rebs needed an easy one.  Don't get me wrong, I mean no disrespect to the Aggies, but as a fan, I can look at this game from a biased perspective.  Last time I checked, I don't know any team that lost because the fans looked down on the opponent and didn't take them "seriously."  I know, I know, you're suppose to take every game seriously because this is football, and anybody can beat anybody.  I know the whole spiel, and as a former player/wanna-be coach, I'm the choir.  But as a fan, I can't see this game that way.  I see a good team, agitated and needing a confidence boost, playing a team with a significant drop in talent from their own.

On the flip side, the Rebels are beat up.  The Rebels feelings are hurt.  They fell from a lofty No. 3 ranking, predictions of a playoff spot with a possible number one seed, and being the favorite to win the SEC, all the way down to No. 13 or 14, depending on what poll you're lookin' at.  With that being said, it's probably not going to be easy or pretty.  Ole Miss has some problems. The most obvious is up front on the offensive line.  Don't forget the defense with it's inability to get off of the field.  There is plenty of work to do.  So with that being said, there is no doubt in my mind that if I can see it, then the coaches can see it.  Which means we can, at the very least, take confidence in knowing something will be attempted in trying to make adjustments.  Lucky for the Rebs, New Mexico State should provide just the right amount of live action to get this ship going back in the right direction.  Ole Miss needs this game for some sort of redemption, to work on the flaws, and honestly, to take out some frustration.  The 0-4 New Mexico State Aggies happened to draw the short straw.

As far as the uniforms go, the official word is that fans need to wear Red.  I would say that means the Rebs will we coming out in the Red jersey, which I love, but that doesn't necessarily reflect the jersey color.  It is almost impossible to try and predict the pants option.  I'm a sucker for tradition, so in most of my predictions the popular pick is the Gray pants.  But, going off of recent games, just because that is the option I think looks best, doesn't mean it's what the Rebs are wearing.  They could come out in the new white pants, which I will admit I like as well.  I can only hope that they do not decide to come out in Navy pants with the Red top, but it has happened before (AWFUL).  The Powder Blue helmets have been retired for the year, at least we think, seeing as some of them were on sale in the Rebel Locker Room last week.  So expect to see the Navy lid from here on out.  I think that I'm going to take the safe route with my uniform prediction, and present you with three possibilities we could see based on the Red jersey.

First, my homer pick, the Red on Gray.  Beautiful.

Second option, Red on top of the new White pants.  Not bad.

Then, there is this monstrosity.  Please no.

Curveball, they could fool us all and come out in a Navy jersey.  This seems to be a popular pick for out of conference games:

I guess it doesn't look that bad.  I'm just not a fan of the "REBELS" down the pants leg.  How 'bout we throw some stripes on those bad boys?

Where at?: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS

Playing surface: Artificial Field Turf

Gametime: 11 am CT on SEC Network

Ole Miss vs. Florida Uniform Review ~ 2015

No. 25 Florida - 38, No. 3 Ole Miss - 10.  Ouch.  The Rebels got their back side handed to them Saturday night in the Swamp.  There is no other way to put it. Short and simply, this game sucked.  As a fan, it's not going to stop sucking, not next week when Ole Miss (hopefully) beats New Mexico State.  Not the week after when who knows what happens in the Liberty Bowl.  Start praying for when Texas A&M comes to town.  I don't think anyone will be able to get over this one until (and if) Ole Miss can beat the Aggies at home in three weeks.  They are going to need every single day of those three weeks to try and fix the glaring problems that the Gators exposed.  The uniforms didn't look good either, as Ole Miss came out in Navy helmets, white jersey, and Navy pants with the heinous "REBELS" word mark down the leg.  Can we just go ahead and burn those, please?  Florida came out in their Orange monochrome look, sure to be a go to in big games from here on out.  So where to start?

@OleMissFB

How about with something good, kind of?  Chad Kelly sort-of-kinda proved himself as "the guy" last night.  In spite of a real butt whipping, Kelly was the only glimmer of hope last night on offense.  We're talking sunlight through a crack in the pitch black basement glimmer, but a glimmer still.  If it wasn't for his ability to evade the rush at times, and make some very difficult throws, Ole Miss may have never even sniffed a point on the scoreboard.  The offensive line got absolutely victimized last night, and Kelly stood in and took blow after blow, and got up every time.  It would have been very easy for him to just throw in the towel, but he kept competing, even with the game out of hand.  He didn't leave the sideline for the locker room before the game was over, and he showed a lot of heart.  Granted, he did not play great.  That can't solely be placed on the offensive line struggles, but in no way, shape, or form did it help his cause.  Now, give credit where credit is due.  Florida had an outstanding game plan, and they executed it to perfection.  Coach McElwain has done a phenomenal job turning the Gators program around and developing his quarterback, Will Grier, who looked like Tom Brady against the Rebels.  The Gator defense has plenty of talent, and it was on full display as they completely discombobulated the Ole Miss offense.

Did I mention that it's rough up front?  The offensive line is the most obvious and glaringly bad unit of this team.  They can't protect Chad, and there is an obvious reason Ole Miss is so anemic running the football.  This line is beaten down and bruised, shuffled around and inexperienced.  Laremy Tunsil's ongoing suspension/investigation does not help one bit.  But as beat up as they are, that is not an excuse to be as bad as the Rebels were Saturday night.  With the recruiting that Hugh Freeze has been able to do in Oxford over the last couple of years, it is very hard to believe that the depth is just that bad at Ole Miss.  Something else is wrong.  Maybe it's the scheme, the coaching, the system, or even just bad luck, but something has got to be fixed. With the meat of the schedule approaching quickly, there isn't much time to fix it.

Do not even get me started on the issues with the red zone offense, and yes, this does somewhat fall on the offensive line as well (I promise I'm not just picking on the big guys up front.), but the play calling was suspect at best.  For starters, I can not understand for the life of me why inside the ten yard line the Rebels can't seem to take a shot throwing the ball up to Laquon Treadwell when he's matched up in single coverage.  I mean, he is only arguably the best, most physical, wide receiver in college football.  Let him make a play.  I can't think of any defensive back that could handle him one-on-one and be able to completely shut him down.  Second, would it kill them to have a package where the quarterback lines up under center?  How about some straight up, down hill, run blocking and carrying?  I'm not getting paid the big bucks, but I don't see other teams having too much trouble doing it, and after Saturday's outing, could it really get worse?  Just go under center, put Robert Nkemdiche or Big Lig at fullback, and let Wilkins follow behind and lower his head for a yard or two.  But, like I said, I don't get paid the big bucks to make these sort of decisions, yet.

On the other side of the ball, I would love to believe that the defense is really good, just underperforming, and to an extent they are.  But, maybe they are not as good as the hype, especially in the backfield?  Yes, having Tony Conner out hurts, badly at times, but this was supposed to be the deepest/best defensive backfield to come through Oxford, right?  For the third week in a row, the defense got dinked and dunked up and down the field five and six yards at a time.  I don't know whether or not to credit that to coaching and scheme, or simply that the defensive backs just can't get there in time to defend it.  Would it hurt to play a little press coverage? One would think not after the 5th hitch or out completion in a row.  I'm not sure that there is or can be a quick fix, but getting Tony Conner back for A&M can't hurt.

The defensive line is everything it is supposed to be, and Robert Nkemdiche has yet to stop wreaking havoc, almost single handedly, but that alone is not enough.  They are being rendered almost ineffective by the quick passing game of the opposing offense.

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

Josh McCoy/@OleMissPix

To sum it up, it's a long season and there is a lot of football to be played.  With a win over Alabama in their pocket and Texas A&M, Arkansas, and LSU on the home schedule, the Rebels still control their own destiny as far as getting to Atlanta.  Their College Football Playoff hopes took a big hit, but it would be hard to believe that a one loss SEC Champion could be left out of the four team field.  So on paper, everything is still there and attainable for the Rebs.  I say on paper because personally, I do not think if Ole Miss continues on the trend of the last two weeks that they will be able to run the table, not even close.  It's going to be hard to beat anybody with a performance like we got in Gainesville, and realistically, right now every game looks tough.  Memphis is quietly 5-0, and the trip up I-55 just got a lot more interesting.  Texas A&M is currently 5-0 with one of the better quarterbacks in the conference throwing it around pretty well.  Arkansas isn't sure what they are yet, but a senior quarterback and serviceable running game look be tough to stop if you have been watching the same Ole Miss team I have.  LSU, while very one dimensional right now, is also 5-0 and has Leonard Fournette.  That in itself is enough to worry even the best of defenses, and it is a good possibility that the Tigers are able to open up their passing game between now and November 21st.  Auburn and Mississippi State seem to have just as many problems as Ole Miss, if not more, but those games now look to be interesting as well.  There is a lot of improving to do for the Rebs, and the rest of the schedule isn't really helping any, but that does not mean it can't be done.  It would be awesome to run the table from here on out, and possibly avenge this loss to the Gators in the SEC Championship Game, but after watching what happened to this team Saturday night, it's just hard to realistically believe the Rebels can get to December without another loss or two, even for the most optimistic of fans.  To put it bluntly, the Florida game was downright embarrassing.  So guys, let's get it together and fight our way back to the top.  We can only go up from here, right?

Needless to say, I will still be in talkin' trash and cheerin' for the Rebs next week, and every week after that.  If anybody wants to see a turnaround, I promise it's this guy, and I'll be the first to happily eat my words when it happens.

Didn't get to make the trip to the Swamp due to fraternity/sorority rush, so no tailgating pic this week.  So I'll go ahead and take this opportunity to brag on my beautiful, Katy Perry theme dressed, girlfriend up top.  She killed it this week, and I couldn't be more proud, so girls, go AOΠ.  And while I'm at it, my brothers and I over at ATΩ hauled in a pretty good cruitin' class of our own.  How bout them Taus?