As the smell of autumn begins to enter the Southeast region of the United States, the taste of revenge lingers in the mouth of the Crimson Tide. Now, after 348 long days of waiting, the Alabama Crimson Tide has a chance to take back their glory as the Ole Miss Rebels and ESPN’s College Game Day head to Tuscaloosa for the 25th time.
The Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0) knows how much this game means to many people. After last year’s heartbreaking loss in Oxford, Miss., the Crimson Tide looks to re-establish themselves as top of the food chain in the SEC West. With leaders such as Derrick Henry, A ’Shawn Robinson and Kenyan Drake, it will be hard to slow down the Crimson Tide inside Bryant-Denny Stadium this Saturday.
The Ole Miss Rebels (2-0) however, have a different opinion. After last year's success of remaining in the top 10 in the AP for almost two-thirds of the season, the Rebels look to enter back in the mix as the top team in the SEC.
Led by newcomer quarterback, Chad Kelly, and a handful of 2012 recruits who have dominated in Oxford, this Rebels team looks stronger than it has looked in over a decade.
Is this the game when Alabama’s home-winning streak will be broken?
Will Ole Miss continue their dominance on offense?
Let’s dive in and see who Lee Corso should pick come Saturday morning.
WHAT TO KNOW
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: 8:15 p.m. CST
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Al
TV: ESPN
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network, Ole Miss IMG Network, Westwood One
Spread: Alabama favored by seven
KEYS TO VICTORY: ALABAMA
>Run through the trenches.
If there is one thing Ole Miss is strong on while they're on offense, their front line is it. Led by former number one overall recruit, Robert Nkemdiche; Ole Miss’ front line has been dominate in stopping the run.
However, they have yet to face Derrick Henry this season. With quarterback still a problem, Henry has been nothing but flawless in his first two games. It may seem crazy to run up the middle on this defense, but no one has really found an answer for Henry yet. Unless Nkemdiche and the landshark defense are practicing with Laremy Tunsil in the backfield, running is the smartest move.
>Run down the clock.
Ole Miss likes to score…a lot. In fact they have already put up 146 points this season while scoring 70+ points in each game. Now it seems highly unlikely that Alabama will allow 70 points come Saturday, but it doesn’t take a lot of time for the Rebels to get on the board.
Running down the clock will put more pressure on Chad Kelly to score, and time for him to make the correct passes. All Alabama’s defense has to do is be in the right place at the right time, and boom, mistakes will happen.
KEYS TO VICTORY: OLE MISS
>Pass early, Pass often.
When playing against Nick Saban, the past several season’s teams seem to pass rather than run. Alabama’s front seven is once again one of the top in the country, and that will make it hard for Chad Kelly to rely on his running backs.
If Ole Miss wants to make it to the promise land, make Chad Kelly pass the ball to his receivers. So far Kelly has passed for over 550 yard on two games. While Alabama’s secondary is stronger than both UT Martin and Fresno State, the Rebs still have a shot to air it out down the field for a huge aerial attack.
>Pressure Jake Coker
Middle Tennessee isn’t a top program like either of these two schools. However, they were able to pressure both Jake Coker and Cooper Bateman into making some careless throws and forcing two interceptions. While a starter hasn’t been named, Coker is the favorite in many eyes. If the front seven can get through Ryan Kelly and Alphonse Taylor, Coker might be in more trouble than just a sack.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: ALABAMA
>Kenyan Drake
Last season, we got a glimpse into the future of what Kenyan Drake could be. In just five games, Drake totaled 271 yards and picked up six touchdowns before traveling to Oxford. There, in Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium, fans watched as Drake’s leg snapped in half and his season came to an end.
Now fully recovered, and playing just as strong as last season, Drake looks to seek revenge on the Rebs and make his case as a leader of the team. If Drake can play with the intensity of last season, be ready secondary, because he will blow past the front seven and into your territory.
>Reuben Foster
As a middle linebacker in a 3-4 defense, usually one will strategize while the other just runs into the commotion. That commotion player will have to be Reuben Foster this weekend. An explosive middle linebacker who can tackle just about anything that comes near him, Foster will have to fight off the guards and centers to find his way into the backfield.
While Reggie Ragland will be sent on several Mike Blitz’s through the A-gap, Foster is going to be the main man trying to get to Chad Kelly each play. If he can break through the line, expect a ton of pressure from the former number one overall linebacker prospect.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: OLE MISS
>Laquon Treadwell
An explosive receiver with decent size, versus some very young, inexperienced corner backs. This truly could be the game of the year for Laquon Treadwell. After breaking his leg vs. Auburn last season, Treadwell has made tremendous strides in his return for the Rebels.
While the Rebs have put up over 140 points their last two games, Treadwell has yet to be targeted. With the secondary working out their kinks, Chad Kelly should look for his top receiver across the middle for the seven-yard drag routes. After that, Treadwell will lead a footrace against the Alabama defense for a first down and possibly even more.
>Fahn Cooper
Many people probably haven’t heard the name Fhan Cooper outside of Oxford. He is a name the entire country should remember after this week. According to multiple sources, All-American left tackle Laremy Tunsil will miss the game in Tuscaloosa due to NCAA violations. With the loss of tonsil, Cooper will now step into the left tackle role and be the main man on the line when in pass protection.
Cooper must be prepared for A ’Shawn Robinson and Jonathan Allen to double team him and break through both the B and C gap. If Cooper can’t hold his block, Chad Kelly might be in for a rude ear-awakening.
THE X-FACTOR: ALABAMA
>Let King Henry’s reign commence.
It is no surprise that the fans of Alabama have already christened Derrick Henry with a nickname. While “King Henry” might be too much, his numbers have been gold since the start of the season against Wisconsin. However, this is Henry’s first test for the Heisman race.
While many have Henry in their top three, facing the landshark defense will solidify him as a top Heisman contender, or someone who floats around until the top three are announced. This game is where we see if Derrick “King” Henry is truly the next great running back in Alabama history. If he can play like he has already, and put up another three touchdowns, move over Mark Ingram; King Henry’s reign has just begun.
THE X-FACTOR: OLE MISS
>In Kelly we trust.
Chad Kelly has been a basket case over the last few seasons. After beginning his career in Clemson and being kicked off the team, Kelly then shined in JuCo before signing with the Rebels last winter. Then, he finds himself in a bar fight last December moments after signing with Ole Miss. So far this season, a new mature Chad Kelly has stepped in and taken over where Bo Wallace left off.
The Rebels have a legitimate chance to beat Alabama this weekend. Chad Kelly however is the X-factor, 100 percent. If Kelly can stay calm and collective like he has in his first two games, the Rebels will be in command this entire game. If he becomes the immature, rushed and flustered Kelly; Ole Miss fans better hang on tight for a long night inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
PREDICTION
This might be the game to watch in the SEC this season. So many things can happen on either side of the ball, and this game was the hardest one to pick. Alabama has a duo of running backs and a front seven that could put Ole Miss in a heap of trouble, yet they struggle at quarterback and the secondary. Ole Miss has a quarterback who has been nothing but perfect since he stepped foot onto Oxford territory, yet his offensive line is still young. In the end, this comes down to a field goal.
Alabama will dominate in the trenches and pick up at least three touchdowns by Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake. Their run defense will force Chad Kelly to throw and Kelly will be flustered. Expect both quarterbacks to have at least one passing touchdown and an interception.
In the end, Gunnar Raborn kicks a field goal with under three minutes left and the front seven of Alabama hold off the Rebs before they can send it into overtime. Nick Saban rarely loses to the same team two years in a row, and this year it is at Bryant-Denny. Favor to Saban 10 times out of 10.
Final- Alabama-31, Ole Miss-28
