Last week I did a 3 part analysis of the big game with Alabama where I broke down what I thought were critical points concerning how we matched up with Alabama in each facet of the game. I predicted that we would beat Alabama convincingly, calling the game 41-21 in Ole Miss's favor. I went on to say that the only way Alabama would get to 21 would be a late garbage TD against the backups. I have to admit, I was feeling like Nostradamus when we scored to make the score 43-24. Here are some points to ponder after watching us win in Tuscaloosa for the first time since I was a freshman at Itawamba Community College.
Our Offense v Their Defense
1. Offensive Line
Fahn Cooper did a good job filling in at LT for a 3rd week in a row. Robert Conyers gutted it out at center, and our Offensive Line got the job done against a very good Alabama defensive front.
RB Play
I said we would need 100 yards rushing to win, we got 92. Close counts in rushing yards too. Jordan Wilkins is slowly coming into his own.
QB Play
CK played about like I thought he would. I said anything over 250 yards passing would be gravy. CK got 341 and 3 scores. One of them was an ill advised, blind luck play, but if anybody deserved a play like that to go against them, Alabama did. Kelly was big time. He is the best QB in the SEC. (Sorry Dak)
WR\TE Play
I said our WR's would win this matchup. Well, they did. LaQuon is back, and he is better. Evan Engram only had one catch, which is a credit to Alabama. I predicted he would have a big game. Quincy is a force to be reckoned with.
Overall
I said we would win with 1 turnover or less. Well, we had no turnovers and no costly penalties. We won first down. We had several explosive plays. All of these things added up to hanging 43 points on a very good Alabama defense.
Our Defense v Their Offense
DL Play
RN is an absolute beast! He was unblockable for most of the night. Haynes didn't have as big of a game as I thought he would, but our DL more than held its own against Alabama's offensive line.
LB Play
CJ Johnson got a critical pick that resulted in points and Denzel had a very good game, but our LB play still has some room for improvement in both run support and pass coverage.
DB Play
This area of our defense was the most disappointing to me. I said that our DB's would control their receivers, but Alabama managed to throw for 288 yards and was able to climb back from a 3 score deficit twice via the air. Tony Conner made a couple of plays early, but disappeared in the later stages of the game.
Overall
Our defense played like I thought we would in the 1st half, but wilted somewhat at the end of the half and in the 2nd half in the humid conditions. That said, I did not think there was any way Alabama could score over 21 points on our defense. To their credit, Alabama ran over 90 plays, converting on 3rd down and long again and again. We just could not seem to get that one big play to get off the field on 3rd down and long. Alabama also converted on 4th and long a couple of times, the last keeping a drive alive that resulted in a TD to cut our lead to 43-30.
Special Teams Play
2 fumbles on Kickoff team! AWESOME! We hit them, we rocked them, then we converted both turnovers into points. The 1st one set the tone for the whole game.
Will Gleeson did a great job of punting for net yardage. We got a draw in the punting game, which is a win for Ole Miss considering JK Scott is the best punter in the country.
Gary Wunderlich performed like a person who was rated the best placekicker in the country out of high school. We won big in this area.
The onside kick recovered by Alabama was a result of an illegally batted ball by Alabama and should have been penalized and re-kicked. Remind your MSU and Alabama friends about this when they complain about the lineman downfield on the CK to Cody TD.
Overall
Special Teams was a big win for Ole Miss and likely made the difference in the game.
This was a historical win for Ole Miss. It was a big step forward towards joining the upper division of the conference. Ole Miss should be favored in all of our remaining games. This season is shaping up to be one that could be what we have all dreamed of and waited for our entire life. We have to maintain a consistently high level of play, avoid major injuries, and remain humble and hungry. If we do those things, Ole Miss is a serious contender to finally make it to Atlanta for the SECCG and qualify for the College Football Playoff. Hotty Toddy! Go Rebels! Beat Vandy!
Our Offense v Their Defense
1. Offensive Line
Fahn Cooper did a good job filling in at LT for a 3rd week in a row. Robert Conyers gutted it out at center, and our Offensive Line got the job done against a very good Alabama defensive front.
RB Play
I said we would need 100 yards rushing to win, we got 92. Close counts in rushing yards too. Jordan Wilkins is slowly coming into his own.
QB Play
CK played about like I thought he would. I said anything over 250 yards passing would be gravy. CK got 341 and 3 scores. One of them was an ill advised, blind luck play, but if anybody deserved a play like that to go against them, Alabama did. Kelly was big time. He is the best QB in the SEC. (Sorry Dak)
WR\TE Play
I said our WR's would win this matchup. Well, they did. LaQuon is back, and he is better. Evan Engram only had one catch, which is a credit to Alabama. I predicted he would have a big game. Quincy is a force to be reckoned with.
Overall
I said we would win with 1 turnover or less. Well, we had no turnovers and no costly penalties. We won first down. We had several explosive plays. All of these things added up to hanging 43 points on a very good Alabama defense.
Our Defense v Their Offense
DL Play
RN is an absolute beast! He was unblockable for most of the night. Haynes didn't have as big of a game as I thought he would, but our DL more than held its own against Alabama's offensive line.
LB Play
CJ Johnson got a critical pick that resulted in points and Denzel had a very good game, but our LB play still has some room for improvement in both run support and pass coverage.
DB Play
This area of our defense was the most disappointing to me. I said that our DB's would control their receivers, but Alabama managed to throw for 288 yards and was able to climb back from a 3 score deficit twice via the air. Tony Conner made a couple of plays early, but disappeared in the later stages of the game.
Overall
Our defense played like I thought we would in the 1st half, but wilted somewhat at the end of the half and in the 2nd half in the humid conditions. That said, I did not think there was any way Alabama could score over 21 points on our defense. To their credit, Alabama ran over 90 plays, converting on 3rd down and long again and again. We just could not seem to get that one big play to get off the field on 3rd down and long. Alabama also converted on 4th and long a couple of times, the last keeping a drive alive that resulted in a TD to cut our lead to 43-30.
Special Teams Play
2 fumbles on Kickoff team! AWESOME! We hit them, we rocked them, then we converted both turnovers into points. The 1st one set the tone for the whole game.
Will Gleeson did a great job of punting for net yardage. We got a draw in the punting game, which is a win for Ole Miss considering JK Scott is the best punter in the country.
Gary Wunderlich performed like a person who was rated the best placekicker in the country out of high school. We won big in this area.
The onside kick recovered by Alabama was a result of an illegally batted ball by Alabama and should have been penalized and re-kicked. Remind your MSU and Alabama friends about this when they complain about the lineman downfield on the CK to Cody TD.
Overall
Special Teams was a big win for Ole Miss and likely made the difference in the game.
This was a historical win for Ole Miss. It was a big step forward towards joining the upper division of the conference. Ole Miss should be favored in all of our remaining games. This season is shaping up to be one that could be what we have all dreamed of and waited for our entire life. We have to maintain a consistently high level of play, avoid major injuries, and remain humble and hungry. If we do those things, Ole Miss is a serious contender to finally make it to Atlanta for the SECCG and qualify for the College Football Playoff. Hotty Toddy! Go Rebels! Beat Vandy!
