Keys to Rebel Win Today Include Beefed Up Running Game

Ole Miss has dominated both sides of the ball with the defense taking a heavy load off the potent offense. Will their quality of play be enough to walk the walk heading into the next couple weeks?

Some of my readers may not be to happy to hear this. Though the Rebels are 3-0 and have gone unscathed the last four weeks, they haven’t really been tested as genuine contenders in the West. Don’t get me wrong, these wins do deserve a pat on the back. But they’re not sufficient to bet your life on in terms of predicting the future. Ole Miss has all the elements to be reckoned with if they don’t let their egos and playbook get in the way.

One positive issue is the Rebels should be refreshed from their off week. They’re about to hit the gauntlet that will make or break their highly hopeful season.

Here’s the thing. The cold hard truth is the West is good from top to bottom. That’s why the October schedule for Ole miss will not be favorable if they turn out to be complacent and listen to the hype.

In reality the boys have to look and live in the here and now, which is Memphis. As much as I would love to talk about Alabama, that’s not a way to rally behind a team that needs to focus on the present and a tough Memphis team.

What are the Rebels’  keys this week:

• Keep Bo in the zone. He probably will put up some numbers, but lets see him continue to flourish in the red zone. Bo will set the pace as he always does.

• Keep our defense, and especially our secondary, playing on fire. Whatever the Rebel D has been doing to make plays when it counts needs to continue. Because Memphis’ offense will surprise our boys with a few tricks.

• Revive the damn running game. This has been a concern from day one. Lord knows Hugh Freeze has tried to work some magic, but nothing seems to fit just right. We have backs who can run faster than the wind, but we need some help getting from point A to B.

• Taking nothing and turn it into to something. The O line has showed vast improvement and seems to be on its way with to providing consistently solid pass protection. However, what we really need to do is create some running lanes for our boys to execute the kind of dominant running plays that make us look like a real No. 10 team.

As much as I want an easy win today against Memphis, it won’t be bad if the boys have to work for it or smell defeat going into Bama so they don’t get lost in the clouds going undefeated.

On a lighter note for your tailgating pleasure, here are my libations & cigars picks for Memphis

Brew: Lazy Magnolia Me and the Dev-Ale

Bourbon: Wellers Antique

Cigar: E.P. Carillo La Historia