I’ll be honest, as a fan of smashmouth, pro-style offensive football, the University of Mississippi offensive scheme — constructed by underrated head coach Hugh Freeze — completely frustrates me.

While it’s very exciting to see an uptempo, spread-option based outfit dictate to the defense by way of a slick horizontal attack, read-options by the quarterback, misdirection and the occasional vertical bomb, I’m more at home with “12” and “22 personnel,” I- and pro-set formations, toss sweeps with pulling linemen, trap-blocks and the occasional three-yard throw…to a tight end!

That’s authentic Southeastern Conference football.

All that newfangled stuff the Rebels are doing seems like something right out of a Big 12 conference title game, or, even worse, something they would do out in Oregon or California.

Obviously, I’m kidding (sort of?!).

However, Ole Miss’ inability to generate physical between-the-tackles rushing yards, last season, was unnerving, especially considering it had the most talented defense in the SEC, and were in possession of a senior play-making QB who was capable of putting a team on his back in Bo Wallace (no laughing).

Now Ole Miss must break in a new QB while still figuring out the run game. But Freeze has possibly circumvented those problems, or at least alleviated them, by assembling, perhaps, the most impressive receiving corps in the country.

He’s assembled the receiving corps version of Alabama and Arkansas’ physical run game. And that just may be enough to get the Rebels over the top — considering the scheme.

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There’s no substitute for a power-run game, or one in general, especially as it pertains to breaking in a new QB.

In Freeze’s scheme, a QB needs to be athletic to take advantage of the play-action, bootleg and waggle game. But make no mistake about it; this is a spread-to-throw scheme that requires accuracy, above all else.

Freeze has devised a way to make the quick game an extension of the run game and he requires a certain kind of receiver for it to be truly successful: route-runners, guys who can stretch vertically and power forward-types who can break tackles and operate in close quarters.

Ole Miss is loaded with receiving targets.

  • Laquon Treadwell (6’2″, 229 lbs): With the departure of University of Alabama superstar receiver Amari Cooper, an early entrant to the NFL draft, the title of the Southeastern Conference’s best receiver now goes to Ole Miss rising junior receiver Laquon Treadwell. This athletic freak is college football’s version of Houston Texans’ great Andre Johnson with his ability to break tackles and outmuscle even linebackers. While most don’t give him credit for it, Treadwell understands route concepts which allows him to win in the vertical game, as well, despite not possessing elite “timed speed.” But his sugar is earned in the quick game with his power.

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Check out how Treadwell transforms the screen game into an explosive run. Any defensive back trying to press him is in for a long day; he accelerates quicker than one might think. We’re looking at a future NFL star.

  • Damore’ea Stringfellow (6’3″, 229 lbs):  Apply everything I just said about Treadwell to University of Washington transfer Damore’ea Stringfellow. I’ve been following Stringfellow’s career since before he opened up a can on UCLA in a game his freshman season (eight catches for 147 yards). He adjusts well to the ball in flight and will absolutely maul a defensive back. Playing him in the slot may force defenses to counteract with safeties and linebackers, which would still be a mismatch in favor of Stringfellow.

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You can’t tell me this type of receiver isn’t made for a quick-strike offense; throw him a six-yard hitch and watch him punish would-be defenders.

  • Cody Core (6’3″, 196 lbs): Core had a very solid junior season playing the vertical role, predominantly, in Ole Miss’ rotation. He’s a very polished route-runner who understands how to set up DBs with his eyes and subtle fakes below the waist. He just needs more consistency as he seems to disappear for long stretches. But when he’s on, he’s on.

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Once Core learns the nuances of the position, which we saw flashes of last season, he will jump right on the NFL’s radar — because you can’t coach speed like that.

  • Evan Engram (6’3″, 217 lbs): Although Engram plays the “Y” position, he may be the team’s preeminent deep threat! His speed makes him a match up nightmare for today’s off-the-ball linebackers, and Freeze deploys him a plethora of ways. Expect more field-stretching plays from Engram, especially with all the underneath threats in tow. (And especially with Vince Sanders’ 39 catches for 696 yards leaving due to graduation.)
  • DaMarkus Lodge (6’2″, 185 lbs): This one-time Texas A&M commit will be a superstar once Treadwell and Core are off campus. He’s a smooth route-runner who loves to attack the ball. And despite his wiry frame, he’s physical enough to defeat press-man coverage. Once Lodge hits that Ole Miss weight program, he will be a force to be reckoned with.

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We can expect plenty of this from Lodge in the future; he has really good football speed and will surprise scouts with his ability to separate at the college level.

  • Van Jefferson (6’2″, 183 lbs): The University of Georgia’s loss is most certainly the Rebels’ gain with supreme route-runner, and Tennessee native, Van Jefferson. We may look back on Jefferson as one of the more underrated signings of the Freeze era. He doesn’t possess elite speed, but he doesn’t need to with the type of ability he has to spin DBs like a dreidel; Jefferson and Lodge are the future of the program.

Other receivers who will make their presence felt include the very talented 6’3″, 189-pound Quincy Adeboyejo and Markell Pack who is, you guessed it, 6’3″ like just about every other receiver on Ole Miss’ roster.

When you lack an authentic between-the-tackles run game, why not fill your roster with downfield targets who are all capable of physically dominating in the quick game? Ole Miss isn’t playing around, and with the impending arrival of the uber-talented, 5-star QB prospect Shea Patterson, you can bet your bottom dollar Ole Miss’ passing game will be something to behold for years to come.

Now about that run game…