Preview: #3 Alabama @ #11 Ole Miss
Date: 10/4/2014
Time: 15:30 ET
Players to Watch
Amari Cooper, wide receiver (ALA): Through four games Cooper is two catches short of his 2013 total. The Junior is finally putting production with talent and proving why his name is associated with the top of the 2015 NFL Draft. His 43 catches are third nationally and best in the SEC.
Trey DePriest, linebacker (ALA): With Ole Miss using a lot of different personnel, different formations and misdirection, DePriest must read and react to the play both pre and post snap to ensure the rest of the unit is on the same page.
Bo Wallace, quarterback (OLE): Wallace is an enigma at quarterback – fantastic plays followed by head scratchers. The senior is completing 71% of his passes so far with 11 interceptions but he also has six interceptions. If Ole Miss are to fire on all cylinders it starts with Wallace.
Cody Prewitt, safety (OLE): Prewitt was very outspoken after his sides win over Memphis, saying Alabama are not as good as they used to be. He is a highly-rated safety and it everybody should be watching him play 100 miles per hour trying to dislodge the might of ‘Bama.
Crimson Tide’s Offense Vs Rebels’ Defense
The no. 3 ranked side are a run-first team. Derrick Henry and T.J. Yeldon are studs while third-string ‘back Kenyan Drake is also an outstanding football player. The run is used to set up the pass for quarterback Blake Sims who has started his first – and last – year under center strongly with eight touchdowns and two interceptions.
Ole Miss’ defense is led by future top-five draft pick Robert Nkemdiche who has seven tackles, a sack and a tackle for a loss. He is an outstanding talent and that is reflected in his stats – opposing teams simply avoid him. Prewitt is the leader of the secondary and senior linebacker Deterrian Shackelford has 23 tackles to his name.
Crimson Tide’s Defense Vs Rebels’ Offense
Notoriously impenetrable on defense, the Crimson Tide’s defensive unit is conceding just 14 points per game. However, the defensive backs have struggled outside of standout safety Landon Collins. Bo Wallace needs to be accurate and decisive to take full advantage as receiver Laquon Treadwell is a major match-up problem.
The Rebels have been blessed with Treadwell and left tackle Laremy Tunsil reaching their five-star potential so quickly. Tunsil protects Wallace’s blind side but also drives opposing defenders back routinely, setting up holes in the run game for Jaylen Walton and I’Tavius Mathers. Their quick-strike offense is bound to cause problems.
Game Preview
Saturday’s match up is possibly the biggest game in Mississippi history. The Rebels have a legitimate chance to not only knock off a divisional rival, but one of the most successful college programmes in the modern era. Nick Saban, on the other hand, will not make it easy and Alabama will be extremely well prepared for their toughest outing so far in 2014.
Implications
At this stage both teams have big post-season aspirations. Alabama are amongst the favorites to win the national championship every year while Ole Miss is reaping the rewards from a phenomenal 2013 recruitment class. A loss for either side would be cruelly damaging but not fatal with a lot of season left to play.
Prediction
The Crimson Tide have a much more balanced offense while the hosts can never be certain what they will get from their quarterback. Alabama 27-13 Ole Miss