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5 key storylines for Ole Miss as it faces Auburn on Saturday
By Brad Logan
Published:
Ole Miss travels to face Auburn this Saturday with only a few opportunities remaining to get to the coveted 6-win mark. The Rebels (3-5, 2-3 SEC) have an argument that they could be 6-2. But they haven’t been able to win close games, which cost them against Memphis, California, Missouri and Texas A&M.
Ole Miss is staring a season that looks to be ending no better than 5-7. I’m not sure you can spin that any way other than disappointing.
Like in any sport, anything can happen, as the Rebels hope to catch Auburn (6-2, 3-2 SEC) off guard and create some scoring opportunities on the Plains.
Here are 5 things to look for on Saturday for the Rebs to pull the upset.
Freshman running back Jerrion Ealy needs to have a career day
While this will be a tall task against one of the best defensive lines in the country, Ealy has the burst of speed rarely seen by the Tigers’ defensive front. Rebels coach Matt Luke noted Ealy had been in concussion protocol following the injury against Texas A&M 2 weeks ago. He will be at full capacity against the Tigers on Saturday.
Currently, Ealy is 3rd on the team in rushing, with 384 yards on 48 carries and 4 touchdowns. The biggest note on the season, the former Jackson Prep standout is averaging 8.0 yards per carry.
He is the team’s best playmaker. At some point, Ealy needs to get touches, as the numbers back up his production. Whether it’s in the Wildcat, slot or at running back, Ole Miss needs the ball in his hands.
Ealy has 1 receiving touchdown but only has 9 catches on the season, as offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez could be underutilizing him. It could be useful against the Tigers, especially if the run game becomes stagnant.
Ole Miss will need to play 2 quarterbacks
It appeared Rodrigues had a nice plan in the previous games, in regards to alternating quarterback John Rhys Plumlee and QB Matt Corral. That wasn’t the case against Texas A&M, and many Rebels fans were seen scratching their head with the inconsistency.
Against the Tigers, if the Rebels want to be successful, it will have to use both quarterbacks to try and exploit the defense that comes in 16th nationally against the run. I expect Plumlee to start and rely on running backs Scottie Phillips and Ealy early to see if it can establish any running game. Auburn’s pass defense is ranked No. 81, allowing nearly 240 yards per game.
The biggest stat could be on the ground as the Tigers are only allowing 105.9 yards per game. Should this hold true, I expect the Rebels to turn to Matt Corral and do its best to go vertical and roll the dice through the air.
What is the overall viewpoint of coach Matt Luke and will he breakthrough?
Let’s put all of the cards on the table, as Luke has simply not achieved the success he should have this season. There is a fair argument to be made that he inherited a program that was left in shambles by the previous administration.
What is not debatable is Luke is in his 3rd season, with a record of 14-18 and 6-15 in the SEC. The most daunting stat is his record in the SEC West. As the Rebels travel to Auburn on Saturday, Luke is just 3-12 with wins over Arkansas and Mississippi State.
That’s the hole the Rebels are in.
Can Luke help them climb out?
With Elijah Moore leading the team in receiving, someone else must step up
Moore has been spectacular, grabbing 49 catches for 621 yards and 4 touchdowns. The next Rebel is transfer wide receiver Dontario Drummond with only 11 catches. It has been a problem all season, frankly, and you can’t point to one specific area of concern. The problems appear to range from separation from defenders and breakout speed. Simple mechanics involving route running, catching the ball and the relationships with the quarterbacks have been sporadic.
We are a short period but a long way from NWO. The good news is the room is full of youth and that is a good sign for the future.
Transfer Lakia Henry is the best defender
Ole Miss flipped the best JUCO inside linebacker in the country from his Arkansas commitment and it has been a welcomed addition to the much improved Mike MacIntyre-led defense. Henry leads the Rebels with 59 tackles, including 3 for loss.
Ole Miss needed help badly at the position as its best linebacker coming into the season, MoMo Sanogo, was last for the season with a lower body injury.
With Henry and the emergence of Jacquez Jones at linebacker, the position has become one of the strengths on the team.
