Headlines
Vassallo: Ole Miss Fans Leave Memphis Angry and Confused
Photo by Joshua McCoy with Ole Miss Athletics
Say it ain’t so, Hugh. It’s been 39 years since we last witnessed a ranked Ole Miss team lose to an unranked, non-conference opponent!
The Ole Miss’ journey not only stalled in Memphis, it shifted gears into reverse. You are now about to enter a No Spin Zone absent Bill O’Reilly. Read no further if you have a thin skin as presented are the four primary questions that Rebel fans, commentators and the football world in general are now asking out loud.
Number One: The absence of a running game is killing this team. Rushing 24 times for 40 yards isn’t going to win any championships especially among the college elite. If this weakness is not corrected immediately this team is going nowhere fast. Third down plays in Memphis were a disaster as time and time again the Rebs could not make a first down versus the 103rd best defense in the country. When this issue was discussed on the SEC Network following the upset, one analyst summed it up: “Their offensive line stinks.” Why we have not been able to recruit a superior running back in four years is troubling.
Number Two: The coaching placed calls (mistakes) put the team in a precarious position as the 14 point advantage was wiped out in minutes. Attempting a fourth down play from your own 34 yardline (in the first half) is normally suicidal. It was again this time. This bad decision coupled with not going for a chip shot field goal led to 10 points cutting into the lead. And playing your star defensive lineman on offense when the defense is already missing four starters is beyond any rational thinking. Furthermore, everyone in the stadium knew who would be getting the ball once Robert Nkemdiche entered the backfield. It’s no wonder the entire Memphis defense tackled him (or at least it seemed that way).
Number Three: The pass defense has fallen apart. Lynch attempted 53 throws, completing 39 for 384 yards and three touchdowns. The defense that only allowed 16 points per game in 2014 is now a memory. True, the injuries have definitely impacted this, but seven games into the season, the backups have got to step up and show the fans why they deserved a scholarship. Unfortunately, it’s now or never time starting with the Aggies.
Number Four: The punt return game is well below par. Each and every time the Rebs field a punt, most fans are relieved if a fumble does not result, let alone a respectable return. Expecting a lengthy return is “Dreamin'” a la Johnny Burnette.
It’s easy to be a Monday morning quarterback especially on a Monday. We are all grateful to the coaches and players for the commitments they have made to this program. I believe what is upsetting the media and fan base more than anything is the fact that everyone knows the potential this team possesses. They have proven themselves two years in a row versus Alabama and against a number of other opponents as well.
What the alumni and fans are wanting (and deserving) is a team that consistently plays equally hard and smart for 4 quarters. The second quarter Saturday in Memphis was too painful to watch.
There you have it. We reported, you decide.
Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.
| Sat, Aug 31 |  | vs Furman | W, 76-0 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | vs Middle Tennessee | W, 52-3 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | @ Wake Forest | W, 40-6 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | vs Georgia Southern | W, 52-13 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Kentucky | L, 20-17 |
| Sat, Oct 5 |  | @ South Carolina | W, 27-3 |
| Sat, Oct 12 |  | vs LSU | L, 29-26 (2 OT) |
| Sat, Oct 26 |  | vs Oklahoma | W, 26-14 |
| Sat, Nov 2 |  | @ Arkansas | W, 63-35 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Georgia | W, 28-10 |
| Sat, Nov 23 |  | @ Florida | L, 24-17 |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | vs Mississippi State | W, 26-14 |
| Thu, Jan 2 |  | vs Duke (Gator Bowl) | 6:30 PM • ESPN |
ralph braseth
October 19, 2015 at 9:51 am
Quite a turnaround from last week where Mr. Vassallo gave Ole Miss Football the following grades.
A+ Offense
A+ Defense
A+ Special teams (I think it was special teams, perhaps coaching)
Doug ingram
October 19, 2015 at 11:13 am
Why has Ole Miss not recruited a superior running back in 4 years?? To me this is the critical question. Why indeed? If a 5 star WR and Defendive player can be recruited, why in the hell cant they they get a bone-crushing running back? I don’t believe it has been a priority with Ciach Freeze. Ole Miss is never gonna have the success we want without a ruining game and they simply don’t have one.
George Williford
October 19, 2015 at 11:14 am
The Rebels seem like a vastly different team than the one that played Alabama. I want the same intensity and fire. . Also, if LSU can get a Leonard Fournette, why can’t we? I think a bruising 250lb running back would help make us not so 1 dimensional.
I do have faith in Freeze, but if the run is not working and we have top notch receivers, throw down the field. Once Kelly gets in a rhythm, he can score at will…
I do believe the injuries have taken a bigger toll than we thought.
One game at a time….Hotty Toddy.
Mike Davis
October 19, 2015 at 11:17 am
I agree with the story, but I have one question. Why is everyone calling Memphis an “unranked” team. They were ranked #22 going into the game. This wan not some 3-2 team, it is an undefeated team, on a 13 game winning streak, with a good chance at a New Year’s Day bowl game. Give the Tigers credit!
James ripley
October 19, 2015 at 11:19 am
Well would yall rather have Huston Nutt ? To Memphis credit , we can score on any defense in the nation. I think he knew that and that’s why he went for it.
jon
October 19, 2015 at 11:29 am
Memphis was only ranked in the coaches poll not the AP going into the game. Now that the game is over we don’t deserve to be ranked at all.
Barin von Foregger
October 19, 2015 at 12:03 pm
With all due respect, you sound like a State fan, Vassallo. Looking for any opportunity to P&M, make a bulleted list ripping players and coaches, and then coming back with how grateful you are for them. Mistakes were made. The team didn’t look good at times. But don’t act like this was New Mexico State or UT Martin. Memphis played the way a team is supposed to play at home, especially as an unbeaten team. Listen to George … get healthy and take it one game at a time. The rest of the gauntlet is all SEC West teams. They are going to have to play the games of their lives EVERY game from here on out. The Rebs STILL control their own destiny, and could get to ATL with two losses. The team hasn’t rolled over or given up, IMO.
jim weathers
October 19, 2015 at 12:58 pm
what are you talking about 4 years the last time ole miss had a superior running back was deuce. lets talk about the elephant in the room. who wins the most in the country, alabama? why are they so sucessful it is because of defense and a big running back. usually they have a so so quaterback and rely on a running game
frank
October 19, 2015 at 1:18 pm
I thought we had gotten over loosing to the non-SEC teams. I can’t bear to see what will happen with A&M, Auburn, LSU and State. It could be “very bad”!!!!!! Hope not. Get up and go Rebs.
Anonymous
October 19, 2015 at 3:28 pm
Well get over Ole Miss fans!!! Adversity Happens and if you can’t handle the bad times then you don’t deserve the good times!!! A fan is a fan win or loose!!! STOP throwing stones from your stadium seat and your recliner!!! If you think you could do any better then get a degree and apply for the job!!! I bet Alabama was angry and confused when the Rebels beat them 2 straight years, but you overcome it and move on!!! You sour fans need to do the same or find another school to cry over!!! Get a LIFE!!
Melissa Bowen
October 19, 2015 at 3:29 pm
And I sure didn’t mean to be anonymous so I added my name!!
L.B.
October 19, 2015 at 5:05 pm
YOU GOT BEAT BY A BETTER TEAM.
Blake Cannon
October 19, 2015 at 6:09 pm
It was tough to see this loss. We were at the game and had some great seats in the first row. The players were a bit in shock and it was tough to see Nkemdiche with a concussion and number 75 Conyers, hurt his knee. Ole Miss has a great football program so I still am very optimistic!
John Harrley
October 19, 2015 at 6:34 pm
You won the turnover battle against Alabama 5-0 , got a fluke TD on an insane play and still barely hung on by a score to win. You were never that good to start with. That’s how I see it from the outside.
Midge Bagwell
October 19, 2015 at 7:25 pm
This too shall pass. But, that being said, we have to be able to tackle. I am wondering if during practice we are taking it too light. I, like a lot of people, could second guess all day long, but something has happened to this team from the Alabama game until the Memphis game. I am a firm believer in getting to the root of any issue, let’s find what it is, regroup, recommit and take it to A&M. I will never give up on the Rebels. As Successful Quon said, “a positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst and sparks extraordinary results.” The Rebels are extraordinary in my opinion. We just need our spark back.
FacsRfriendly
October 19, 2015 at 8:01 pm
Could we have beaten Alabama if they had not thrown the game away early with turn overs? I think not. It was a good thing the game ended when it did and there was not another quarter to be played. It gave us a false sense of how good we were.
Daniel Day Slimfit
October 19, 2015 at 10:01 pm
Turnovers that we caused….
SanRonBrooks
October 19, 2015 at 10:06 pm
We know Mr. Vassallo, and assure you that he is NOT a State fan!! He coined the term “Starkghanistan”! REBELS FOREVER!!
Lynn Johnson
October 20, 2015 at 2:00 am
We did play pretty bad Saturday. But people are forgetting Memphis was 13/0. I will always support this team but something needs to change. What really hurt was seeing the look of defeat, confusion and hurt on the players faces. This was suppose to be the year for our guys to shine but they aren’t getting much chance. I love my Rebels!
Josh
October 20, 2015 at 6:18 am
This article is hysterical. The assumption that Ole Miss is an elite team is built on a sandy foundation. You haven’t played anybody this year other than Alabama, and they gave you the win. Yes, please celebrate that win but be realistic and realize that they handed you a gift with the turnovers. It’s the same thing that happened to Texas A&M this past weekend….you can’t win with a “pick 18”.
The coach has made terrible decisions. He doesn’t seem to know that he isn’t necessarily the “smartest guy in the room”. That’s a dangerous place to be when making decisions. The 4th down call was atrocious.
And finally, the RB comments are hysterical. did some clown really ask “if LSU can get a guy like Fournette, then why can’t we?” Talk about no self awareness. LSU has always had First Round running backs. They are in a completely different class. Why would you guys ever expect to be able to get the same RBs that LSU and Alabama have been able to get. Heck, State has 3 RBs that could be starters for the Rebs.
Just like State last year, you simply are not as good as you and everyone else thought. Money only goes so far.
Jay D - Memphis, Tenn
October 20, 2015 at 7:37 am
I was at the game and it was painful to witness. After witnessing the beating we took in person and watching the Florida beating on TV I have a few questions:
1) Are Florida and Memphis great teams or are we just a team that is not very good? Memphis has not really played anyone decent until they played us and they outplayed and out coached us so give them credit. However, as terribly as we played we still had our chances to win this game but the 8 minute drive in the 4th quarter just killed any hope of a comeback.
2) Has Coach Freeze lost some of his team especailly on the defensive side of the ball? The tackling has been atrocious and the secondary has been nothing short of awful
3) Is Coach Freeze ok? Coach Freeze has been outcoached by Derek Mason yes DEREK MASON, Jim McElwain and now Justin Fuente. His playcalling is too pass heavy and he seems to be unconcerned.
I’m a lifelong Rebel fan so I am not going to panic but I will say I did think this team had Natl Championship potential after that Alabama win. But the last two losses have brought me back to reality. The reality is that we are 5-2 and 2-1 in the S E C. We have five games left and one of the toughest remaining schedules in the country. This is not a time to turn our back on the coach or the team. Let’s show our coaches and players that we stand behind them in this time of adversity and help them get over it. We can get to 6-2 with a win vs A&M. This is a pivotal game. Let’s get behind our Rebs! Hotty Toddy!
Bill Dees
October 20, 2015 at 8:42 am
Mr Vassallo, you are incorrect when you claim we lost to an UNRANKED Team. Memphis was ranked 25th in several polls.They have their best team ever with a No. 1 pick at QB. I agree with your other points.
Bill Irby
October 20, 2015 at 11:16 am
From Memphis fan:
Clarifying debate over Memphis ranking they were only ranked in Coaches poll not the AP which is the “official” poll so technically they were not a ranked opponent. It’s all symantics but basically Memphis is probably a Top 30-40 depending on given day. Pretty good Offense – young defense
I cheer for and attend a few Rebels games when not playing Memphis and the biggest glares of the game to me were:
1. Zero run game for Ole Miss – Freeze historically from high school has supported pass game opens run game and not the reverse. I’m not saying right or wrong but that’s his preference.
2. Not surprised Memphis had ability to score on Ole Miss D with or without Robert Nkemdiche but shocked Memphis D held Ole Miss to 24. I honestly thought line would 18-24pts favoring the Rebels. Memphis would not have scored 37 with Nkemdiche on field for full game. He’s just too good and would have made a difference.
3. For the Ole Miss second guessers when Freeze ran Nkemdiche into game on 3rd and short I didn’t hear a single fan saying Noooo!!! Memphis fans were saying oh No and Rebels were saying Oh Yes!!! Offensive plays with him have generally been very successful. Why would you think any differently on this one?
4. I do disagree with Coach Freeze once Robert went down he needed to kick FG and keep 2 score lead and just humbly yourself, get to half to make defensive adjustments and win game in 2nd half.
5. Totally shocked Freeze went for 4 & 1 from his side of field late in first half with no momentum and Tigers building confidence w 2 mins left? This was the worst call of game by far. FYI on same series he had 3rd and 1 and Quon’s nearest defender was 8-10yds off to prevent a blow by. Why he didn’t audible to quick out versus running I’ll never know. Isn’t there a phrase ” Take what the Defense is giving you”? I’ll take a throw to Treadwell over Ole Miss run game anyday.
Freeze cost his team 10pts in first half and game should have been tied and get to locker room and make adjustments.
The Ole Miss D with everyone healthy is one of the best and quickest D’s I’ve ever seen. Ole Miss QB seems to be more consistent than Bo Wallace so I too expected big things from Rebels this year. No doubt injuries are taking its toll but this team is good enough to compete for West title assuming Nkemdiche is available and Tunstil will help the O line.
Coach Freeze has his work cut out because the majority of prep this week is going to be mental versus physical.
Good luck Rebels and beat those Aggies!
Al Nall
October 20, 2015 at 11:52 am
I firmly believe you play like you practice – if you get away with penalties in practice and they are not corrected there, then you will commit them during a game and get called for them – we had 8 in the first half – I believe they practice as lightly as possible to avoid injuries – however that is not helping come game time. Freeze knows he has to turn this around and the good thing is we have an offense that can do it if he just focuses on that and uses our lame running game very sparingly. Defensive secondary is in need of help big time – either they are afraid of getting burnt thus playing soft or think they are faster than they are.
frank
October 20, 2015 at 7:11 pm
Been there and seen this movie! If you watch OM much you know in the past they always “blow” 1 or 2 each year. I had hopes we has out grown that. Winning Bama (at Bama) and losing to Memphis is just for shit!!!!!!!!!!!
nosserini the great
October 21, 2015 at 3:34 am
Ole miss does not have the debth it needs yet. Injuries hurt us bad as you have seen. Give Freeze more time to build debth ,he is a great coach. He will prove this over the next 3 years be patient.
Lynn Sykes
October 21, 2015 at 5:37 pm
Go sell some real estate. Leave sports alone and quit I barraging your self.