After another SEC loss, Ole Miss gets a break from the rigors of conference play this weekend.

The Rebels (3-2) host Louisiana-Monroe (2-3) at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday in their final non-conference game of the season. The SEC schedule so far has given Ole Miss lopsided losses to No. 1 Alabama and No. 5 LSU, but this weekend’s game presents a chance for the Rebels to fix some issues before resuming league play against Arkansas.

Ole Miss coach Matt Luke previewed his team’s game against the Warhawks during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference. Here’s what he had to say about the matchup and the Rebels’ recent losses:

On practice coming off the loss to LSU:

  • The team was done; we had some opportunities just didn’t play well. … I think guys are realizing they have to step up when guys go down.

On self-scouting:

  • We do that weekly. Once we start getting a few games under our belt, we have to make sure we aren’t giving things away. … Consistency is something we struggle with.

On the early signing day, are you a fan?

  • I am. I think it’s good for young men that know where they want to go and they don’t have to deal with it into January. … I think forcing kids into a decision could be a drawback, obviously.

On Alabama and LSU:

  • Alabama is very balanced. They are explosive on offense. … Their receivers, their freshman returner. … LSU, the first thing was how they protect the football. They are good at all three levels on defense and (defensive coordinator Dave) Aranda does a great job. … (LSU quarterback Joe) Burrow did a great job/ … They deserve their rankings, but in the SEC, we got more coming.

On the penalties against LSU, why so many?

  • The first thing is, that’s not us or who we’ve been. Some of that is created by the atmosphere, but the ones you don’t want are the ones after the play. … We have to eliminate them. We had seven penalties that kept drives alive; we have to eliminate that. … We will punish the ones that are after the play, but the rest we teach.