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Rebels could exploit UF’s biggest weakness, test its strength
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Each week, Florida has faced a team that’s a step up from the last in terms of difficulty. That trend lasts one more week as No. 3 Ole Miss (4-0, 2-0 SEC) is likely Florida’s toughest opponent of the season. The Rebels have the talent to exploit UF’s biggest weakness and test its greatest strength.
The Offensive line has been an area of concern for Florida since spring practice. Position coach Mike Summers has noted some improvement over the past few months, but in Week 5, youth and inexperience is still difficult to overcome. Keeping the Ole Miss defensive line out of the backfield will be a daunting task.
Simply thinking about Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche is probably enough to keep Florida’s offensive coaches awake at night this week. The former five-star recruit is a monster with size (6-foot-4, 296 pounds) and athleticism unlike any other pass-rusher the Gators have faced this season. Many sacks and tackles by the other UM defensive linemen can be attributed to Nkemdiche’s ability to disrupt the protection scheme.
On offense, Mississippi has the best passing game of Florida’s first five opponents and the weapons to challenge the secondary. At SEC Media Days, UF CB Vernon Hargreaves III mentioned that he looked forward to matching up with UM WR Laquon Treadwell. Many analysts would consider Treadwell the best receiver Hargreaves will cover since former Alabama wideout Amari Cooper. Treadwell leads the UM receiving corps in receptions (22) and yards (332) through Week 4. Last week against Vanderbilt, he caught eight passes for 135 yards.
A lot of players not named Treadwell are also catching passes from Clemson transfer QB Chad Kelly (71 of 115, 1,219 yards, 10 touchdowns, three interceptions). WR Quincy Adeboyejo currently leads Rebels receivers in touchdowns with five. WR Cody Core has posted 320 receiving yards on only 14 catches. TE Evan Engram (5 catches, 68 yards) is likely to start receiving more targets, and that could be as soon as Saturday.
If the offensive line steps up to the challenge and prevents three-and-outs, the Gators have the defense to hang around as long as it can stay rested. If Kelly and the Rebels’ No. 12-ranked passing offense (344.5 yards per game) are always on the field, the UF pass defense is likely to wear down and give up a few too many big plays.
OLE MISS REBELS CLOSER LOOK
Top returning player, offense: Laquon Treadwell, Jr., WR – There are a lot of weapons on the Mississippi offense, but Treadwell is the go-to playmaker. Even in a season shortened to only nine games due to injury, Treadwell turned heads in 2014 (48 catches, 632 yards, five touchdowns).
Top returning player, defense: Robert Nkemdiche, Jr., DT – Nkemdiche’s numbers from 2014 (35 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, two sacks) aren’t exactly earth-shattering, but he’s the guy coaches focus on the most, and he’s the anchor of the Landshark defense.
Top returning player, special teams: Will Gleeson, So., P – Gleeson helps flip the field, averaging 44.0 yards in 12 punts this season, and 5 of 12 punts have been downed inside the 20.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
