Rapid Reaction: Alabama escapes Ole Miss upset bid in wildly entertaining offensive shootout
It’s not surprising that one team controlled the tempo in the Ole Miss-Alabama game Saturday.
What is surprising, though, is that the Rebels were that team.
Lane Kiffin’s up-tempo offense kept the Crimson Tide on their toes all evening as Nick Saban got a scare from his former assistant. But tradition won out as Alabama did enough to hold the Rebels off and win 63-48.
Saban improved to 21-0 against his former assistants.
Defense was nowhere to be found with both teams trading touchdowns for most of the game. Alabama topped 720 total yards. Ole Miss had more than 640. Ole Miss punted twice, Alabama once.
The rest of the time was just a march toward the end zone.
After Ole Miss took a 14-7 lead, Alabama scored touchdowns on its next 8 possessions. But the Tide could never pull away because Ole Miss typically had an answer.
The score was tied at 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42.
Najee Harris’ 4th TD run put Alabama ahead for good at 49-42. Ole Miss closed within 49-45, but the Tide tacked on a final touchdown.
Mac Jones did his best to outpace the Ole Miss offense, finishing 28-for-32 for 417 yards and 2 touchdowns. He and running back Harris (206 yards, 5 touchdowns) were the offense.
Rebel quarterback Matt Corral was right there with them, finishing with 319 yards and 2 touchdowns, both of which went to Kenny Yeboah. Snoop Conner (128 yards, 2 TDs) and Jerrion Ealy (117 yards, 2 TDs) got it done on the ground.
The Rebels kept it close throughout.
They scored their first touchdown before a minute had even passed as Corrall connected with Yeboah for a 6-yard score. The teams traded touchdowns after that and Ole Miss entered halftime having never trailed, tied at 21.
The 2nd half was more of the same, with Alabama finally pulling ahead.
No. 2 Alabama gets a top 5 matchup next week when it faces Georgia, while Ole Miss will travel to play Arkansas.
Jesus man. That was entertaining but the defense needs to step up
That was not entertaining at all. Bama has a lot to improve on. The defense is a joke
So everyone in the SEC forgot how to play D except uga
Every sec game today was close except for uga
And State vs UK. That one was never close.
You didn’t include USC v Vandy, which started competitively but turned into a rain-soaked rout.
Uk held Mike Leach scoreless for the first time in his career, so no not every team forgot.
Man there was no defense in the game but you got to give Ole Miss credit. Heck of a game and effort.. Kiffin knows he lacks the players on defense and played aggressive all night. Tempo and throwing it around the yard kept Bama on their heels… If he can get a D Co. to go with the way he has the offense rolling he can win some games…
I still think Najee Fumble should have been blown dead for forward progress.._LOL
I thought the samething about the fumble. Whistle should have been blown
It seemed like there was a lot of late whistles all night.. I know they want to let the guys play but those piles is when someone can get hurt.
That was fun. The Bama offense against the UGA defense could be epic.
Bama’s passing against LSU’s secondary…..???
Not so much fun, but we can say that about pretty much all passing attacks.
Very entertaining game. It looked like the last one with the ball would win. I was pretty sure Ole Miss lost when they had to settle for a FG. Bama is the class of the SEC until proven otherwise … which may be next week. Should be an epic game.
Man this year is crazy. Kind of makes you wonder why we ever do out of conference games.
That’s what I was thinking too. But then I guess you need the non confernce games to get more schools to bowl games and playoffs. But every single game so far has been electrifying.
I’ve been saying for a couple years now that I’d be fine with only playing 1 non-conference game a year just for teams with out of conference rivals. In conference games are the more entertaining games anyway.
I’m definitely not missing the GO5/FCS games.
I can’t believe there is no Pete Golding talk on here. He was given a pass last season, due to the injuries; there are no more excuses. The defense consistenly misses tackles, are out of position, late lining up, poor or no communication, not aggressive and no adjustments. Ole Miss punted twice all game. It is painful watching this defense.
He has to go. He is awful at his job. The defense is absolute trash right now.
Completely true….he is terrible. It’s on him this year.
We may have a DC for you guys when you fire him..
Golding is on the hot seat. Nice guy but not up to the Alabama standard of coaching ability. Excellent recruiter however. Bama’s defense is third class and has forgotten how to tackle. If we have to score 50+ points to win a game we are in worst shape than I thought.
Roll Tide..
Kiffin’s playcalling was on fire tonight, but jeepers, Alabama’s defense just seems to be lacking that elite gear (*knock on wood*).
Kiffin spent his life savings in this game.
I think Ole Miss has a good offense this year. Bama was out of position a lot but their QB was accurate and was able to avoid the sack multiple times to make a play…
Alabama’s defense sucks. Stop trying to beat around the bush. They are terrible
Dear Lord, I thought I was watching the Big 12 tonight. Where the defense??
I knew Ole Miss would score some points…but WOW. Just wow. If Kiffin can recruit well on defense to where their defense is even halfway decent, this whole conference might soon be in a world of hurt.
If Kiffin ever gets good enough to beat Alabama a time or two, then he’ll get thrown into the Freezer.
The way he played fast and loose with compliance, might happen anyway.
Very entertaining game. Should Kiffin ever recruit well, Ole Miss could actually make some noise. Bama’s offense is ridiculously good.
Golding deserves to be fired. This guy can’t coach a defense, and he was thoroughly out-coached by Kiffin and Levy. Saban and Bama need to bring in a real defensive coordinator. We haven’t had one since Pruitt left following the 2017 season. Lupoi was mediocre and Golding is worse. The offense is amazing, but we’d be a national title contender with even a slightly better defense. Ole Miss has a great offense, but 48 points has not often been seen during the Saban era.
I hope the rest of the season in the SEC goes just like this. Weeks like this, with the crazy games, upsets, and controversial finishes are what makes college football great. For the first time in probably a decade, the SEC really feels like anyone could beat anyone on a given week.
Year 1…we competed…year 2…watch out. We may be the force coming from Oxford that no one expects nor wants. Enjoy your time now because times are changing. Hotty Toddy!
In year two we’ll still be paying the refs so…
Nope…still too close to the last NCAA fiasco.
FIRE PETE GOLDING. That was the most pathetic display of defense I have ever seen.
So you haven’t watched LSU play this season?
Bama’s defense is plenty good. The ole miss game is a distraction. I expect them to use it to motivate themselves. Unfortunately, I think Bama’s defense will show up against us. It’ll be one hell of a game though. Hope we can get out s**t together on offense.
The Bama defense sucks. There is no other way around it
Plenty of talent on the Bama defense. Loaded with 5 stars – just as many or more than UGA. They were gassed having to keep up with their own offense. I’m not going to get distracted by the Ole Miss game. I expect a defensive struggle next week.
Ha ok. It’ll be more high scoring than you think. Bama defense is terrible, but our offense will put up 30 on anyone.
17.Bama won’t put up 30 on Georgia.
I think you’re still shell shocked from being kept out of the end zone. Gus doesn’t know offense.
How many points Bama scores on Georgia will depend on how well Georgia’s offense plays. If their offense can sustain drives and avoid multiple 3 and outs in a row, then I don’t think Bama scores 30. But if Georgia’s offense struggles to move the chains consistently, forcing their defense to stay on the field most of the game, then eventually they’ll get gassed and Alabama will do what they have done to every other defense they’ve played. Another way is if Alabama’s defense really is that bad, and Georgia is able to routinely score very quickly, forcing their defense to come back out on the field.
Absolutely bad officiating. Yeah I am a GA Dawg fan so I admit some hate and bias, but I also watch a lot of football and the number of flags thrown alone in this game were questionable. There was one where it was called a blindside block against Ole Miss. If it was any other game all day, it would have been ignored ,but not against Bama.
Controversial first down call when it was clearly half a yard back, and the chains were already moved. Conveniently gives Alabama an unofficial timeout.
Najee Harris touch a own was not reviewed, not even questioned when it looked like his knee could have been down, but not even given a thought. Would have been reviewed in any other game today.
I do think Saban plays some shenanigans with 2 false starts in a row with 3 :16 on the clock. Pretty savvy if its true but also deceitful and I hate that kind of play. You fall back twice in a row and then have a quick call that works perfectly from that yardage. Complicated but yeah I think like that.
Pass Interference against Ole Miss when the Bama player clearly stuck his hand out and made it look worse as if trained to pull the foul.
A freaking Offensive Pass Interference against Ole Miss when it was just football as it had been all day in the SEC. Offensive pass Interference takes a clear and blatant move to make that call but this was barely a tap . Normal contact.
OLE Miss QB makes a great touchdown and the thought is that He FUMBLES, are you kidding???? It was absolutely in, easy to see in real time!! No need to see it in slow motion.
Bad officiating. Same old Bama.
I hope Kirby has plenty of plays ready from 25 and 35 yards out because fake penalties will be implemented. We can count on it.
Are you ok?
Those Birmingham refs were working hard to protect the cash cow. Expect 10x more next week.
Welcome to SEC officiating. Where we can have one call made this week and the exact opposite call made next week.
The Harris TD was reviewed. Just like the last Snoop Conner TD was. I like how you say his knee COULD have been down. Nobody saw that in REVIEW. You should hope Kirby has plays against the 2nd string QB. He hasn’t had any the last 2 games against Bama.
The DL run play and tackling fundamentals continue to be a weakness for the Tide and well below championship level. I expect Coach Saban to direct direction of the D in some fashion. It is clear that Golding can’t do it. We have regressed D progressively over the last three years to a level of mid SEC.
After he directs the direction he needs to coordinate the coordination of the coordinator
Can we at least get a mention here for Will Reichard? He went 9/9 on extra points. After all these years we FINALLY have a kicker.
Haha, you’re really saying that right before your biggest game of the year? Lol
I was thinking that, too. He looks great, but I wouldn’t want to jinx it before a big game. Up until the past 4-5 years Alabama had pretty good kickers. They would just choke during big games–LSU in ’11.
Officials? I watched the game with a huge Ole Miss fan, and he only complained about the blind side block call.
If Alabama somehow gets to the playoff and Golding is still DC, Clemson could hang 60 on us.
Not worried about Bama one bit. Ole Miss will put points up on any team. That’s how they’re built. UGA will not be able to hold down the Tide’s amazing offense, and UGA doesn’t throw the ball around like Ole Miss.
I agree. Bama doesn’t have an elite defense but they have a good defense.. UGAs offense isn’t close to Ole Miss..