Ole Miss won its first two games in impressive fashion by putting up more than 70 points in each outing. So far this season, the Rebels are doubling their opponents in total yards per game by accounting for 634.5 yards themselves and allowing 303.

Without a doubt, coach Hugh Freeze and his team should be feeling good about the current state of the team, but they know traveling to Tuscaloosa in Week 3 to take on Alabama will be the first true test.

Much of the reason why the Rebels have been able to create such a disparity in yards between themselves and their opponents is being able to run the ball effectively on offense while also stuffing the run consistently on defense.

Both of those strengths for Ole Miss could be neutralized against the Crimson Tide because of several factors.

When it comes to stopping the run, the Rebels will be without starting defensive tackle Issac Gross, who was lost for the season with a neck injury. Gross’ absence paired with middle linebacker C.J. Johnson still learning his new role after switching from defensive end could spell trouble for Ole Miss against an Alabama backfield that has looked on point so far this season.

The Crimson Tide have outgained their opponents on the ground this year 505 yards to 155 and Derrick Henry’s 6 touchdowns are more than double that of anyone else on his team.

The Rebels will need more from some of their studs in their front seven like Robert Nkemdiche to stop the combination of Henry and Kenyan Drake from running all over them and allowing Alabama to control the pace of the game.

When talking about the Rebels offense, their vaunted wide receiver corps gets a lot of the attention. But Freeze has been using a variety of runners and the mobility of quarterback Chad Kelly to rip off large chunks of yards on the ground throughout the first two games (7.8 yards per rush).

The Rebels could have a hard time finding running room against an Alabama front seven that is only allowing 2.4 yards per rush and 63 yards per game to opposing runners. The Crimson Tide have also not allowed a rushing touchdown yet this season.

Seven different Rebels have carried the ball at least six times this year with no runner having more than 15 carries. Although the production in terms of overall rushing yards has still been there, none of the Ole Miss backs have separated themselves as a workhorse or shown the kind of ability that would strike fear into an opposing defense — certainly not Alabama’s.

Kelly is one Ole Miss player on offense that can make the opponent’s defense nervous because of his strong arm and active legs. Through the Rebels first two games, Kelly has shown the ability to stretch the field vertically by throwing for 278.5 passing yards per game while also knowing when to take off and run, which he has done effectively for 46 yards on 6 carries and 2 touchdowns.

But one question still remains in Kelly’s game: can he do it on a national stage against an elite defense? That will be answered Saturday night against the Crimson Tide.

Kelly wouldn’t be the first quarterback to go through Tuscaloosa and struggle, so a poor performance wouldn’t necessarily provide reason to hit the panic button, but his productivity will be imperative to Ole Miss winning this game.

So despite Kelly’s inexperience, a lot will be placed on his shoulders in his first big game as the starting quarterback for the Rebels.

For now all is good in Oxford. Check back on Sunday and you’ll have a true gauge on where Ole Miss stands among college football’s elite teams this year.