Here are some quick thoughts from No. 17 Mississippi’s 73-21 thumping of Fresno State:

What it means: The 76-point performance against UT Martin was no fluke. Ole Miss will roll into Tuscaloosa, Ala., next week firing on all cylinders. The high-scoring performances are unlikely to carry over into SEC play when the defenses get better, but the Rebels are demonstrating they have the weapons to put up serious points.

What I liked: In what could have been a classic trap game, Ole Miss’ start was anything but slow. The Rebels came out fast and furious, scoring a school-record 28 points in the first quarter to build an insurmountable lead. With Chad Kelly as quarterback, the offense was effective and efficient.

The team was focused on Fresno State and avoided looking ahead to next week’s showdown with Alabama. The Rebels defense avenged a sloppy final series in the first half by forcing a three-and-out to open the second half.

What I didn’t like: The second-quarter series with quarterbacks DeVante Kincade and Ryan Buchanan leading the offense gave Fresno State a chance to build some confidence on back-to-back stops and briefly get back into the game.

The Mississippi defense allowed the Bulldogs to gain momentum going into halftime when they scored a last second touchdown to trim the lead to 35-14. CB Tee Shepard’s targeting penalty in a 49-14 game was a dumb mistake especially since it will cost him the first half of the Alabama game.

Who’s the man: Kelly went 20 for 25, racking up 346 yards and four touchdowns (three in the first quarter) to cement his status as the starting quarterback. Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze played three quarterbacks against UT Martin in Week 1.

Key play: Following a muffed punt deep in Rebels territory, LB C.J. Johnson came up with a momentum-shifting interception. The play helped swing the score 14 points in Ole Miss’ favor – instead of Fresno State cutting it to 35-21, the Rebels extended their lead to 42-14.

What’s next: After two weeks of dominance against inferior competition, the Rebels will have their hands full when they go to Bryant-Denny Stadium to take on No. 2 Alabama. The Crimson Tide will be out for revenge after last year’s 23-17 Mississippi victory.