Checking in on the mid-season temperatures in Oxford, Miss…

Hot

The Ole Miss run defense. It seems cliche by now, but the Rebels’ defense has been lights out all year, but the run defense did an especially good job in the win over Tennessee last week. Ole Miss held the Volunteers to zero yards rushing on the evening. If the Rebels can stymie LSU’s rushing attack led by freshman stud Leonard Fournette, Hugh Freeze’s team will have a good chance at escaping Death Valley with a win.

Warm

Bo Wallace’s play. He completed just 13 of 28 passes for 199 yards. Wallace completed a pass to 10 different receivers and again did not commit a turnover, but he faces a very good LSU secondary that ranks fourth in the league in pass defense. The Rebels also allowed five sacks to Tennessee, and if LSU can create some pressure, Wallace could be forced into bad decisions.

Cold

The Rebels’ run game. As a team, they ran the ball 47 times for 180 yards, but no back has shown capable of carrying the load for Ole Miss. LSU has struggled against the run, but Ole Miss needs to find a way to be balanced on offense. As the Rebels continue to face good defenses, especially a unit that’s good against the pass, the Rebels will have to be able to run the ball this week.

Frozen

There are no major worries in Oxford eight weeks though the season, but Ole Miss needs to show up ready to play every week if the zero in the loss column is to remain. The Rebels are a great team, but have yet to dominate 60 minutes. They’ll need to this week with an 8-0 record on the line.