We all realize Ole Miss hasn’t played as tough a schedule as some the first two weeks with victories against Tennessee-Martin and Fresno State, but the numbers are still striking. The Rebels averaged 74.5 points and 634.5 yards per game in the first two weeks. It doesn’t matter who Ole Miss has played, slowing down that offense is going to be the key goal for Alabama when both schools play their SEC opener Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

The Rebels have put points on the board in just about every way imaginable. They have rushed for 276.5 yards per game. They’ve thrown for 358 a contest. They have nine touchdowns on the ground and nine through they air. They have scored 35 points off turnovers and have 10 touchdowns in 11 trips to the red zone with the other appearance resulting in a field goal.

Even preseason All-American defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche has gotten in on offense and scored two touchdowns.

So while nobody is expecting the Rebels to walk into Bryant-Denny Stadium and score 70 points, the Crimson Tide has to be concerned about slowing down Ole Miss after playing bend-but-don’t-break defense against Middle Tennessee State last weekend.

New Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly has been a more than suitable replacement for the graduated Bo Wallace. Kelly has 72.5 percent of his passes, racking up 557 yards and six touchdowns despite the fact his backups, DeVante Kincade and Ryan Buchanan, have both also gotten plenty of playing time in the blowouts.

Perhaps most impressive is the fact the Rebels have done it all without left tackle Laremy Tunsil, a potential first-round NFL draft pick who is sitting out until his NCAA eligibility issues are cleared up. Of course Ole Miss overmatched its first two opponents, and that isn’t likely to be the case on the road against No. 2 Alabama, meaning this weekend could be the first time we get a glimpse of how much Tunsil’s absence might hurt the Rebels.

Even if his eligibility situation is resolved this week, it won’t change the Tide’s game plan.

“I don’t know if he’s going to play or not going to play,” Alabama coach Nick Saban told AL.com. “As for the defensive lineman what to study, it’s not going to change (Ole Miss’) scheme whether he plays or doesn’t play. It doesn’t change their plays; it doesn’t change who gets the ball. It doesn’t change the runs. It does change a little bit how an individual might play against him. So those individuals need to look at that, and if he plays, be ready for it.”

But it certainly has an impact on individual matchups. If Tunsil isn’t in the game, Tide defensive linemen Jarran Reed, A’Shawn Robinson and Jonathan Allen would likely have an easier time with Fahn Cooper in the left tackle spot and redshirt freshman Sean Rawlings starting at right tackle in his first collegiate road game.

But regardless, the Rebels have plenty of weapons to worry about. Laquon Treadwell and Cody Core are two of the best receivers in the SEC while Evan Engram is a future NFL tight end. A host of running backs have shared the load so far.

It could come down to whether the group of future NFL players on Alabama’s defense can outplay the future pros dotting the Ole Miss offensive depth chart.

Ole Miss Rebels Closer Look

Top player, offense: Chad Kelly, Jr., QB — There were plenty of candidates for this recognition, but you can’t really argue with a 234.0 quarterback efficiency rating. Kelly’s stayed out of trouble in Oxford and been everything the Rebels could ask for at quarterback in his first two games.

Top player, defense: Trae Elston, Sr., S — It’s tempting to say Nkemdiche, who has been a household name in SEC country since he was in high school, but so far this season if we are talking strictly defense, Elston has been the Rebels’ star. He has two interceptions, which he’s returned for a total of 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Top player, special teams: Gary Wunderlich, So., K — The kicking game hasn’t gotten as much attention as the offense and defense in the first two games, in part because there haven’t been as many big plays. But Wunderlich is 17 for 17 on extra points and made his only field goal attempt. You can’t do any better than perfect and in a pinch he can also punt.