Here are some quick thoughts on Ole Miss’ 43-37 win against Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night:

What it means: This game was hyped to potentially shape the SEC West race for the rest of the season. It has done exactly that. The Crimson Tide, considered the favorite to repeat as SEC West champion, is now likely going to have to run the table to have a shot to do so. Meanwhile, Ole Miss has positioned itself, along with LSU, as a team in premium position to make a run for a trip to Atlanta.

What I liked: Pretty much everything about this game. It was one of the more interesting games we may encounter all season. Games like this one are what make us love college football.

  • Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze’s willingness to go for it on fourth down deep in Alabama territory during a tie game in the second quarter. It would have been easy to kick a field goal to take a 6-3 lead, but Freeze went for the throat with a touchdown run instead. I believe it really set the tone for the attitude with which his team would play the rest of the evening.
  • The Rebels taking a page out of the Auburn playbook on a fake read-option play that turned into a 73-yard touchdown pass to push the Rebels lead back out to 36-24 early in the fourth quarter.
  • The way that the Crimson Tide fought back after finding itself down 30-10 in the third quarter. Two quick touchdowns later, Alabama found itself right back in the thick of things. Weaker teams would have folded under that pressure.
  • Crimson Tide QB Jake Coker did some nice things running the football, which was something he hasn’t shown much of until this point.
  • Nick Saban’s decision to use an onside kick when down by 13 midway through the fourth quarter. It worked out perfectly, and put Alabama in position to win the game.

What I didn’t like:

  • Alabama’s inability to protect the football. Four of the Crimson Tide’s five turnovers were self-inflicted and prevented. All in all, the Rebels were able to turn the five turnovers into 24 points, and turnovers were responsible for all 17 first-half points Ole Miss.
  • This is a carry-over from past games, but I also haven’t cared for the way that Alabama has handled its quarterback situation through three games. After starting Jake Coker the first two games of the year, the Crimson Tide gave Cooper Bateman the nod in this game. It seems like neither quarterback has been able to find its comfort zone, and quite honestly I’m not sure how they could with the way the coaching staff has moved them in and out of roles.
  • Ole Miss’ struggles to close the game out. I think it stemmed from the lack of a consistent running attack. The Rebels won the game, but they nearly collapsed after holding major leads on two separate occasions in the second half.
  • Alabama’s defense was unable to produce any takeaways. You can blame the Crimson Tide defense for its five turnovers all day long, but the Alabama defense didn’t do the team any favors when it came to making up for some of those lost possessions.

Who’s the man: Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly, that’s who. There were questions about his ability to handle the limelight on the national stage, and he answered with a resounding “YES” in the Rebels’ win in Tuscaloosa. His final line: 18-0f-33 passing for 341 yards and three touchdowns and no interceptions, as well as Nine carries for 20 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Key play: This game featured one of the most bizarre plays you may see all season, and it may have been the most critical play as well. Facing a third-and-1 from their own 34 yard line early in the third quarter, the Rebels overcame a high snap to QB Chad Kelly, which he corralled and heaved into double-coverage while getting hit, only to see the ball bounce off WR Laquon Treadwell’s hand, hit Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick’s helmet, and bounced right into the hands of WR Quincy Adeboyejo, who took it to the house for a 66-yard touchdown to give Ole Miss a 24-10 lead. This play produced a defining touchdown for the Rebels, but it just as easily could have ended with disastrous results.

What’s next: The Crimson Tide remains at home next week, hosting Louisiana-Monroe. Ole Miss will return to Oxford to host Vanderbilt in the Rebels’ conference home opener. Alabama has not played UL-Monroe since the Warhawks beat the Crimson Tide in 2007. The Rebels beat Vanderbilt 41-3 in Nashville last season.