Matt Luke, Ole Miss offense eager to see improved Rebel defense match up against Texas Tech
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Ole Miss projects to have one of the best offenses in the nation this fall. Considering how poorly the team’s defense played in 2017, many are assuming the Rebels will need to rack up all the points they can get to remain competitive this season.
However, that may not be the case if you ask those in the know down in Oxford.
During the team’s recent media availability, head coach Matt Luke and receiver DK Metcalf both touched on how improved the team’s defense could be this fall. The unit enters the season with a full year of experience in defensive coordinator Wesley McGriff’s system, and if Luke is to be believed, a deeper and quicker unit than last fall.
While noting he won’t really know what he has until they hit the field for a regular season game, Luke appears confident that the team’s defense will make strides this season.
“It’s hard to (evaluate) when you are playing against yourself,” Luke noted. “I think, obviously, you’ll find out a lot in the first game but I think we are deeper. We have more guys that can contribute for playing time. I think we are a little bit faster and obviously the knowledge is better. It’s one year better, they are communicating a little better but I want to see us go out there and do it.”
Metcalf went a step further, saying the defense has held its own against the offense on a daily basis, which should give Rebel fans hope. The receiver even went so far as to suggest he’s eager to see the unit take the field against Texas Texas, which fields one of the top offenses in the nation, come Sept. 1 in Houston.
“In my eyes, our offense is one of the top in the nation and they are doing good against us every day, so I can’t wait until they play against Texas Tech,” Metcalf said in a YouTube video posted by Parrish Alford.
If the Landsharks have nearly as much confidence in themselves as Metcalf has in them, don’t be surprised if Ole Miss fields one of the SEC’s most improved units this fall.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
