The Ole Miss Rebels are looking to regroup this week following a 66-3 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide this past Saturday. It was a rough game for Rebels, but head coach Matt Luke is looking to turn it into a learning experience.

Here’s what the first-year head coach had to say when asked about the learning experience from playing Alabama:

“The biggest thing is getting across to the team that we are 2-2. We are no better and we are no worse. I think when you play Alabama it shows them, this is how far we have to go and I think they need to keep their confidence.  The good thing is that college football is so week-to-week. You have a chance every week to go compete and get better and that’s going to start this Saturday at Auburn.”

“The good thing is that college football is so week-to-week. You have a chance every week to go compete and get better and that’s going to start this Saturday at Auburn.”

Speaking of Auburn, the schedule isn’t going to ease up this week. Ole Miss travels to The Plains this Saturday to take on the No. 12 Tigers at Noon ET for what could prove to be another difficult task.

When asked about Auburn’s defense, Luke talked about his offense finding success:

“Obviously, Auburn presents a lot of challenges. They are very long in the secondary, so they can cover your receivers and get pressure on the quarterback. I think we have to play fast and simplify so Shea (Patterson) knows exactly where to go with the football. It is the same recipe, play fast, be simple, know exactly what you are doing and just go and attack them. Not play on your heels, but get them on their heels by attacking.

“I think that is the most important thing that we need to do. I kind of felt that Saturday we were on our heels, I think we need to be the ones to attack, that’s why they call it offense. We need to be the ones that are attacking and that’s what we have to get back to this week.”

While the Rebels still have the conferences’ best passing attack following the loss to Alabama, the Tigers have the second-best pass defense in the SEC as well.

It’ll be interesting to see if Shea Patterson can turn things around during the team’s second consecutive trip to the state of Alabama this weekend.