In preparation for Saturday’s marquee matchup between Ole Miss and Alabama, Saturday Down South is taking a look at a key matchup that may decide the showdown between the Rebels and the Crimson Tide.

Ole Miss cornerback Senquez Golson vs. Alabama wideout Amari Cooper

The showdown between Senquez Golson and Amari Cooper will be critical in determining Saturday’s outcome in Oxford. It’s simple: Golson leads the SEC in interceptions and passes defended, while Cooper leads the conference in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

This is a top-flight matchup on the outside, and considering how well the Ole Miss defense has played this season (third in the nation in scoring defense), if Golson can win this matchup it gives the Rebels a great shot at shutting down a superb Alabama offense.

The Tide run the ball better than most, but Cooper is the star of the offense and he’s the first person Blake Sims looks to in big situations. Should Golson blanket Cooper all game, it would allow Ole Miss to sell out on stopping the run with its front seven, which then eliminates two threats in Alabama’s offense.

Additionally, if Golson can win on the outside, it will really hurt Alabama on third downs, allowing the Rebels fast-paced offense to go to work more often to supplement a stout defense. The Tide has plenty of capable pass-catching options beyond Cooper, but none are as dynamic as the top wideout in the SEC, especially in obvious passing situations on long third downs.

From Alabama’s perspective, if Cooper can get into a rhythm with Sims and if Golson cannot contain him, it adds a wealth of dimensions to an already successful Tide offense. Knowing Cooper is always available as a safety valve with big-play ability will allow Sims to take shots in other areas of the field, and will buy Alabama more time to establish its rushing attack against the Rebels nasty front seven. If the Tide can run the ball successfully, it is a tough team to stop.

It seems obvious, but if you eliminate an offense’s best playmaker, that offense is nowhere near as lethal. Luckily for Ole Miss, one of its best defenders will be the man charged with stopping the Tide’s best player, which gives the Rebels defense a better chance at keeping up with Alabama than most in the SEC.

Cooper is a true Heisman contender, and while Golson is a fantastic player, he’ll need to have a career day on Saturday to stop Cooper for 60 minutes. But if he can, it could be the difference in a huge Ole Miss victory.