The Ole Miss Rebels present a similar offensive attack to Arkansas, despite a few areas they thrive at more than the Razorbacks.
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Coming into the season, it was expected that the Rebels would have a quarterback controversy. However, Jaxson Dart seems to have taken control of that position. In their four games this season, he’s completed 65 of 103 attempted passes for 1,096 yards and seven touchdowns.
But where Dart has separated himself was in the run game. On 44 carries, he has run for 219 yards and three touchdowns. Dart leads the team in rushing, which may come by surprise to many.
Ole Miss running back, Quinshon Judkins, came into the 2023 season as one of the best running backs in the country after dominating last year as a true freshman. Judkins has still been a force in the run game, but teams have controlled him. In 57 carries, he’s run for 201 yards and four touchdowns.
In the passing game, three receivers have dominated the targets, and they run a system where any one of those three can get the bulk.
Jordan Watkins leads the Rebels with 24 catches for 347 yards and a touchdown. Dayton Wade is right behind with 16 catches for 303 yards. But their biggest threat in the red zone is Tre Harris, who has a team-high five touchdowns on eight catches for 188 yards.
Harris, however, has not played in the last two games for the Rebels against Georgia Tech and Alabama. On Monday, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said Harris was 70% against Alabama despite being held off the field. With that being said, the chance for Harris to be a go against LSU on Saturday is likely, but he may still be limited.
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On Tuesday, it also came out that Ole Miss tight end, Michael Trigg, is no longer with the program, according to Michael Katz. Trigg led Rebel tight ends with four catches for 65 yards and a touchdown through two games. He also didn’t play against Georgia Tech and Alabama. Kyirin Heath will likely now fill in more at tight end.
The Rebels suffered their first loss on Saturday to Alabama 24-10; a game where the Crimson Tide took control in the second half. While LSU may be catching Ole Miss while they’re down, the Rebels have the home-field advantage to back them up.
However, it’s been known that Kiffin and the Rebels have a hard time coming back after a loss to Alabama. Last season, after the Rebels lost 30-24 to Alabama, they went on to lose their next two regular season games and their bowl game against Texas Tech.
This time around, Ole Miss will have to recover quick. Last season, the Rebels ended their regular season with unranked Arkansas and Mississippi State. While the Mississippi State game carries weight with it being the in-state rivalry labeled “The Egg Bowl,” Ole Miss will now have No. 13 LSU right after their loss to the Crimson Tide.
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Two years ago, the Rebels were 3-0 before losing to Alabama 42-21. They came back and only lost one game to Auburn the rest of the regular season, giving them a sport in the All-State Sugar Bowl with Baylor. They lost that game 21-7.
“Got a lot of football in front of us and a huge one this week, and I would argue may be the hottest offense in the country,” Kiffin said in a press conference on Monday.
Ranked at No. 20 currently, Ole Miss is a good enough team to have a lot of success on the offensive side of the ball. But so much of that success will be dependent on their internal mindset.
LSU depending on Ole Miss to self-destruct isn’t the mindset they go into the game with. If anything, two great performances by Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas will give them enough momentum to knock off another threat for the SEC West title. As of right now, it’s anybody’s to grab.
