The Ole Miss Rebels are entering a season with very mixed expectations. A perfect example of this is the way we view the offense and defense.

The expectations for the offense are that it could be a record-setting season, one in which numerous school records could be broken for most yards, most points scored, etc. The expectations for the defense are quite the opposite, where fingers are simply crossed that numerous school records for points allowed, rushing yards allowed, total yards allowed, etc., won’t be broken.

So, considering this could be a record setting season – both positively and negatively – which records are the likeliest to be fall? Hint: There’s one guy in particular who could be rewriting quite a few records.

1. Jordan Ta’amu, single-season passing yards

The record for most passing yards in a single season is 4,042, set by Chad Kelly in 2015, and there’s a realistic chance Ta’amu could exceed that number this year. In his 5 starts last year, Ta’amu averaged 320.8 passing yards per game. If he averages 336 yards per game this year, he’ll break the record. Considering the weapons at WR and TE – and the uncertainty at RB – it’s very much within reason to see Ta’amu going well beyond 336 passing yards per game this year. One obvious drawback: He has to do it in 12 games because the Rebels aren’t eligible for a bowl.

2. A.J. Brown, single-season receptions

The school record is 82, set by Laquon Treadwell in 2015. Brown caught 75 last year, and that’s considering the fact that he missed most of the game at Cal in Week 3 due to a sprained knee. In that game, the Rebels completed 26 passes for 363 yards, and it’s not unrealistic to think that if Brown played the entirety of that game, he could have broken the record last year. Should he stay healthy for all 12 games this year, he’ll once again be in prime position to break Treadwell’s record. Averaging just under 7 receptions per game is not unrealistic in the slightest.

3. A.J. Brown, career receiving yards

Brown also has a very good chance to break the school record for career receiving yards, which is 2,646, held by Shay Hodge. Brown has 1,664, with 1,252 coming last season. Brown needs 983 more yards and he’ll own the record. It’s staggering to think that he’ll break this record in just 3 years. If he were to play in 2019 as well (which I really wouldn’t count on), he’d likely be in position to surpass 4,000 yards.

4. A.J. Brown career receiving TDs

Yes, Brown again. He has 13 career TD catches, with 11 coming last year alone. That means he needs just 12 more TDs to break Chris Collins’ school record of 24. If he hauls in 12 TDs this year, not only will he set a new school record for career TD receptions, but he’ll also break the single season record for TD receptions of 11, a record Brown shares with Treadwell. Again, the fact that all of this can be achieved in 3 years is amazing.

5. Jordan Ta’amu, pass attempts in a single season

The record is 481, which Eli Manning set in 2002. This would be a big one for Ta’amu to break, because he would have to average more than 40 attempts per game this year, an increase from the 32.4 attempts he averaged in his 5 starts last year. If the Rebels can’t find an adequate replacement for Jordan Wilkins and get some form of a rushing attack going, throwing the ball 40+ times a game isn’t as crazy as you may think.

6. Most net rushing yards allowed in a season

This is one record Rebesl fans are praying doesn’t get broken, because if it does, it means everything fell apart on defense this year — again. The school record for most rushing yards allowed in a single season is 2,956, which the 2016 squad graciously surrendered. For the Rebels to break this awful record, they’ll have to allow 246.4 rushing yards per game, which is just a smidgen of an increase from the 245.3 they gave up last year. Considering they’re replacing their best LB and 2 All-SEC DEs in their front seven, this, unfortunately, is a distinct possibility. Man, someone has to step up at LB this year, or it’s going to get ugly.