ESPN Gameday: #1 Alabama -4 at #11 Ole Miss

[SECplayer]

Line has already jumped to 5.5 or so.

I know I've seen quite a few Alabama fans and quite a few Ole Miss fans (including myself) on this site. Hoping for a good discussion.

I'll start:
Biggest game in Oxford since 2003 vs LSU when the winner got to go to SEC Championship. Also this will be our first time to host Gameday. The entire town will be grid locked. Small town just has a hard time handling 100,000+ people coming in. Having Gameday in the Grove will only further crowd everything. A lot of people and tents will be displaced. If you're coming to Oxford, you better get there before daybreak.

On to the game (I'll talk more about Ole Miss and let Bama fans chime in regarding their team):
This is the best defense Ole Miss has ever had. They've given up 2 TDs in 4 games and both were very late when game was not in question. Our secondary has looked great. Lot of playmakers back there. CB Senquez Golson and Safety Cody Prewitt (All American) lead the way. Our Dline has looked a little questionable in stopping the power rush (although they only gave up 23 yards rushing vs Memphis who was averaging 240+). Also on,y gave up 81 passing so they were pretty dominant.

Regarding CB Senquez Golson, I don't see him following Alabama WR Cooper around regardless of where Cooper lines up (like Hargreaves did). We have a Field CB and a Boundary CB and I don't see us changing that. It might cause too much confusion elsewhere in our defense and I think Kiffen would be able to motion and figure out man or zone pretty easy. I just think we'll have to give a lot of over the top Safety help to Cooper's side. That's tough against a good rushing team like Bama.


On offense, we have two issues:
1. Our OL is inconsistent. We have struggled to establish a running game. Part of that is scheme. For two years, we have been heavy zone read for our rushing game and still are but it's obvious we are trying to limit hit on QB Wallace because we would be in trouble if anything happened to him and he has a history of shoulder issues (that's putting it mildly). Pass protection has been adequate especially considering our lack of a run game but I imagine Bama will blitz much more than anyone we've seen yet.
2. QB Wallace is a conundrum. Some games he looks like a Hesiman QB and other games he makes a handful of decisions like a true freshman. Turnovers have always been his issue. He's the type of QB that could single handedly win you a game but could very well single handedly lose you a game too.

Im excited.

 

[Broham]

I hate Alabama but I think they roll Ole Miss. I'm taking Bama -6

 

[ALSportsJunkie]

Sims first true road test. Makes me nervous to be honest. I am glad the Florida game went the way it did - if we turn the ball over this week we will lose. I think the defense is playing better and Wallace just doesn't seem like the type of guy to completely take over. I think we will be able to score - probably at least in the low thirties. If Ole Miss wants to win they will have to beat us in a track meet - our offense is just too good. We have arguably the best receiver and running backs in the nation. Other than the 09 loss to LSU the only times we have lost have been to a team with a QB who was on fire. Is Wallace good enough? Personally, I doubt it. I see Bama by 7-10 points.

 

[TyBounce]

Funny to say in this day and age , but i look for a low scoring game where the team that makes the fewest mistakes and turnovers wins. .... Oh , and also ejections , i expect both secondary's to be headhunting and expect multiple ejections for targeting.

Old style southern football , along with some dirty pool.

 

[TyBounce]

Funny to say in this day and age , but i look for a low scoring game where the team that makes the fewest mistakes and turnovers wins. .... Oh , and also ejections , i expect both secondary's to be headhunting and expect multiple ejections for targeting.

Old style southern football , along with some dirty pool.

In big time games like this you would love to see the refs let em play , but i think the edict from headquarters will be for the refs to be very ticky tacky early.

 

[rolltide]

GOY line was Bama -9 and can't really see what Ole Miss has done (or Bama hasn't done) for the line to now be -5.5

Ole Miss has Bama-talent on defense without a doubt but there's a hell of a gap b/w these teams on offense. Their Oline is a work in progress with one Bama caliber player (Tunsil) and you never know what you're getting from Bo Wallace. last year he guaranteed they'd be able to drop points on the Bama deeee and he got shutout. this year it's Cody Prewitt's turn to put his foot in his mouth with the "i don't think Bama is as good as they have been" bullshit. After 10 straight losses to Bama you'd think that one of these years the Rebel players would just shut up and play but this is exactly what you get when a team knows it just doesn't match up. Run your mouth, take your annual beat down, and try again next year. Seriously after being outscored 110-21 in 3 years you would think they'd have learned by now....

personally i have a lot of respect for what freeze is putting together and the incredible job he's done recruiting absolutely top-level talent and i think he'll have some surprised for Bama in first quarter as they've likely only used about 20% of their playbook so far. If Bo can start well and get hot he has the ability to put together a 2010 Steven Garcia-esque game against the Tide which is the only way Ole Miss wins this game or covers the 5.5

until then i'll keep wondering why Ole Miss gives us chalkboard material every year

 

[SECplayer]

GOY line was Bama -9 and can't really see what Ole Miss has done (or Bama hasn't done) for the line to now be -5.5

Ole Miss has Bama-talent on defense without a doubt but there's a hell of a gap b/w these teams on offense. Their Oline is a work in progress with one Bama caliber player (Tunsil) and you never know what you're getting from Bo Wallace. last year he guaranteed they'd be able to drop points on the Bama deeee and he got shutout. this year it's Cody Prewitt's turn to put his foot in his mouth with the "i don't think Bama is as good as they have been" bullshit. After 10 straight losses to Bama you'd think that one of these years the Rebel players would just shut up and play but this is exactly what you get when a team knows it just doesn't match up. Run your mouth, take your annual beat down, and try again next year. Seriously after being outscored 110-21 in 3 years you would think they'd have learned by now....

personally i have a lot of respect for what freeze is putting together and the incredible job he's done recruiting absolutely top-level talent and i think he'll have some surprised for Bama in first quarter as they've likely only used about 20% of their playbook so far. If Bo can start well and get hot he has the ability to put together a 2010 Steven Garcia-esque game against the Tide which is the only way Ole Miss wins this game or covers the 5.5

until then i'll keep wondering why Ole Miss gives us chalkboard material every year

I sense a little anger. Ha. In their defense, if you stick a microphone in front of their face long enough, they're gonna say at least one thing that can be taken the wrong way and the reporter runs with it so he can get a lot of views or whatever else on Twitter. Cody Prewitt's quote is a good example. Cody is literally the most humble guy on the team. He spoke for awhile and gave considerable praise to Alabama and they just highlight one half sentence and go with it. If asked "do you think you can win?" Of course Cody is going to respond that he thinks we can win and elaborate on why. He's a kid who answered a question. Reporter took one sentence out of context from an interview and ran with it. He didn't publish the positive comments Cody made because that doesn't fit the storyline or sell papers.

 

[rolltide]

I sense a little anger.

confused at why i would be angry?

simple...worry about yourself. don't comment on how you think alabama is better, worse, the same than the year before or how you're gonna jam points down bama's throat. be excited, optimistic, whatever...but if 10 years of beat downs including 25-0 33-14 and 52-7 doesn't humble you then nothing will.

angry? :think2:

and if cody prewitt's reasoning on why they can win is that "i don't think Bama is as good as they have been" then they've already lost (and he's in for one hell of a surprise).

Ole Miss can go play for play vs Bama defensively but they'll need Bo to make a lot of plays on offense to have a chance to cover this game. As I said before the UF week and Driskel...until he shows me differently i don't believe he's capable of doing it. Miss will not win this game if Wallace is average

 

[olemiss33]

I sense a little anger. Ha. In their defense, if you stick a microphone in front of their face long enough, they're gonna say at least one thing that can be taken the wrong way and the reporter runs with it so he can get a lot of views or whatever else on Twitter. Cody Prewitt's quote is a good example. Cody is literally the most humble guy on the team. He spoke for awhile and gave considerable praise to Alabama and they just highlight one half sentence and go with it. If asked "do you think you can win?" Of course Cody is going to respond that he thinks we can win and elaborate on why. He's a kid who answered a question. Reporter took one sentence out of context from an interview and ran with it. He didn't publish the positive comments Cody made because that doesn't fit the storyline or sell papers.

Exactly. The writer of the article is a huge homer, and the same one that tried to bait an Ole Miss player into saying something last year. I love how in a two minute interview, that 3 second blurb got all of the attention. Not the part where he talked about how this is the best Bama offense he has seen. Not about him saying Cooper is the best receiver they have faced, hands down. Just that Bama isn't as good as they have been, which was taken completely out of context.

When you deal with Alabama's media, this is what you get.....a bunch of fanboys.

The reality here is that neither Ole Miss nor Alabama have played a football game that challenged their team. They will this weekend. Maybe Bama wins going away. Maybe Ole Miss wins straight up. I can certainly see either happening. But I don't think what Prewitt said, especially in the context, is going to make a 1 yard difference in the outcome of the game.

 

[SECplayer]

confused at why i would be angry?

simple...worry about yourself. don't comment on how you think alabama is better, worse, the same than the year before or how you're gonna jam points down bama's throat. be excited, optimistic, whatever...but if 10 years of beat downs including 25-0 33-14 and 52-7 doesn't humble you then nothing will.

angry? :think2:

and if cody prewitt's reasoning on why they can win is that "i don't think Bama is as good as they have been" then they've already lost (and he's in for one hell of a surprise).

Ole Miss can go play for play vs Bama defensively but they'll need Bo to make a lot of plays on offense to have a chance to cover this game. As I said before the UF week and Driskel...until he shows me differently i don't believe he's capable of doing it. Miss will not win this game if Wallace is average

I did sense some anger. I imagine most would when reading the portion of your post that I highlighted. I'm not looking to argue. That's why I laughed afterwards and posted "ha." I'm not looking for a Rivals type thread. Really just looking for general discussion in what should be a great game.

He went out of his way to praise Alabama numerous times. But one little snippet where he compares Alabama to their own former team (outstanding teams at that) and he's a villain?

To even consider that "trash talking" takes quite a stretch and some willful blindness to the other 99% of the interview.

 

[USC_TheReal]

We have arguably the best receiver and running backs in the nation.

Respectfully disagree just on RBs...I'd give that nod to Georgia. But you're absolutely right, Cooper is unreal. Every game I swear he does something amazing. If Sims has good pass pro, Cooper will kill Ole Miss. Really excited about this game being a slug fest. It's a no play for me, GL to y'all.

 

[ALSportsJunkie]

Respectfully disagree just on RBs...I'd give that nod to Georgia. But you're absolutely right, Cooper is unreal. Every game I swear he does something amazing. If Sims has good pass pro, Cooper will kill Ole Miss. Really excited about this game being a slug fest. It's a no play for me, GL to y'all.

I should of of said our rotation of backs. I would take Henry, Yeldon, and Drake over any other teams 3 back set. Gurley/Gordon may be better number ones, but I don't think anyone has our depth across the board.

 

[SECplayer]

I should of of said our rotation of backs. I would take Henry, Yeldon, and Drake over any other teams 3 back set. Gurley/Gordon may be better number ones, but I don't think anyone has our depth across the board.

Yeah. Ole Miss would kill for Bama's 3rd string RB.

 

[olemiss33]

Yeah. Ole Miss would kill for Bama's 3rd string RB.

Yes.....yes we would. I would take any of the top 3 @ Bama or UGA.

It's why I don't understand some of these kids line of thinking. You can go to Bama or UGA and split carries, or you can go to an Ole Miss and get the majority of the carries. Im hoping Swinney is the back we think he is coming in.

 

[akphidelt]

Comes down to Bo Wallace. He can win the game and just as easily lose it. They are going to have to play mistake free and that's hard to imagine. Their D can't bail them out all game this week!

 

[ALSportsJunkie]

Yes.....yes we would. I would take any of the top 3 @ Bama or UGA.

It's why I don't understand some of these kids line of thinking. You can go to Bama or UGA and split carries, or you can go to an Ole Miss and get the majority of the carries. Im hoping Swinney is the back we think he is coming in.

Competitive spirit - they want to play with the best. They get a ton of exposure too. Ole Miss shouldn't be having any problems attracting a top 20 RB though...but it seems most of their big signings have been on defense or the O-line.

 

[rolltide]

Yes.....yes we would. I would take any of the top 3 @ Bama or UGA.

It's why I don't understand some of these kids line of thinking. You can go to Bama or UGA and split carries, or you can go to an Ole Miss and get the majority of the carries. Im hoping Swinney is the back we think he is coming in.

well you got Nkemdiche, Treadwell, and Tunsil (still shocked at that one) away from much bigger programs in last 2 years so that's not a bad start. Freeze is changing the talent level, no doubt. That being said it's tough to recruit on the "you'll get carries" angle with Ingram, Lacy, and Richardson being millionaires in their 20's with a lot of tread left on their tires + national title rings and a Heisman.

 

[Well-Seasoned]

Comes down to Bo Wallace. He can win the game and just as easily lose it. They are going to have to play mistake free and that's hard to imagine. Their D can't bail them out all game this week!

If Stephen Garcia can do it then Bo Wallace can do it.............That said, I still don't trust Bo in this type of game at this higher level.....This ain't Boise or Memphis where you can get away with sloppy mistakes.

 

[PapaLock]

If Stephen Garcia can do it then Bo Wallace can do it.............That said, I still don't trust Bo in this type of game at this higher level.....This ain't Boise or Memphis where you can get away with sloppy mistakes.

As an LSU fan, I am unfortunately aware that Bo has a good game in his arsenal somewhere. He was 30-39 for 346 yds. against LSU last yr. in an upset win, and he made clutch plays all game. Obviously performing well and beating Bama this year would be a bigger upset, but he CAN be a gamer. WILL he? Who knows. Additionally, the secondary of Ole Miss intercepted Mettenberger 3 times in that game. After all that, Ole Miss only won by 3. It will take the same kind of effort to win this game. I think it's pretty obvious that Ole Miss players were looking ahead last weekend while playing Memphis.

At this point, I don't think that there is a dominant team in the SEC, and this is one of the biggest, most hyped up game in Oxford since 2003 Ole Miss-LSU. Based on the opening line, the books were asking for Bama bets. I like Ole Miss + the pts. in this one.

 

[Well-Seasoned]

As an LSU fan, I am unfortunately aware that Bo has a good game in his arsenal somewhere. He was 30-39 for 346 yds. against LSU last yr. in an upset win, and he made clutch plays all game. Obviously performing well and beating Bama this year would be a bigger upset, but he CAN be a gamer. WILL he? Who knows. Additionally, the secondary of Ole Miss intercepted Mettenberger 3 times in that game. After all that, Ole Miss only won by 3. It will take the same kind of effort to win this game. I think it's pretty obvious that Ole Miss players were looking ahead last weekend while playing Memphis.

At this point, I don't think that there is a dominant team in the SEC, and this is one of the biggest, most hyped up game in Oxford since 2003 Ole Miss-LSU. Based on the opening line, the books were asking for Bama bets. I like Ole Miss + the pts. in this one.

It takes a special team to get it done as Road Chalk in a hostile environment as sometimes Road Chalk is like Teasers (looks way better than it is) and overall I like Home Dogs, Home Favorites, or Road Dogs with Road Chalk exceptions being a serious talent mismatch or a very stale Home Crowd)............This will also be Sims first true Road Game I believe so I'm sure Ole Miss will stack the box against Bama's arsenal of Running Backs........Should be a good game, but I haven't decided to play it or not yet........Best of luck.