HottyToddy.com Sports Roundup

Hottytoddy.com is giving readers a roundup of all the commentary and information about the Ole Miss Rebels from various publications around the Web.

Readers will be able to check out the latest information in a single post every week throughout the season. Here at HottyToddy.com, we are doing all the leg work to find the information that people want to hear about Ole Miss sports.

This week, the roundup will consist of articles on Ole Miss defense, Chad Kelly and seven things every Rebel fan should know.

SEC Country.com

Third down a nightmare for Ole Miss

It’s back to the drawing board for No. 24 Ole Miss, following the Rebels’ 37-24 loss to Memphis Saturday.

Ole Miss has plenty of issues to account for, but third-down plays have especially been a head scratcher for coach Hugh Freeze. Whether it’s converting a third down or trying to get a big stop to get off the field, the Rebels have had problems.

Let’s take a statistical look at these issues, starting with the defense.

DEFENSE

When it comes to stopping opponents on third down, Ole Miss ranks 102nd nationally. The Rebels have allowed opponents a 42.97 percent conversion rate on third down.

When opponents run the ball on third down, the Rebels have given up 2.35 yard per play (41st nationally). But opponents have completed 62.8 percent of attempted passes on third down against Ole Miss (115th).

Courtesy of David Collier to read more of this story click here

SEC Country.com

7 things every Ole Miss Fans needs to know today

The Rebels’ are four days away from a huge game against Texas A&M, and there’s no doubt the pressure is building in Oxford. Coach Hugh Freeze took responsibility again on Monday for Saturday’s loss to Memphis. But the question everyone really wants to know is if Ole Miss can turn this thing around.

Here are 7 things to know:

1. One of Ole Miss’ issues is along the offensive line. Those problems should improve with star left tackle Laremy Tunsil’s return set for Saturday against Texas A&M. However, the Rebels took another hit up front on Monday when the school announced that starting center Robert Conyers would miss the remainder of the season because of a torn ACL.
2. Another big issue, which can partly be blamed by the offensive line’s inept play, was Ole Miss’ play on third down. The numbers were atrocious, and when given a close look, make no sense. Here’s my statistical breakdown of the Rebels’ third-down struggles.
3. Freeze took a lot of criticism on Saturday when defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche suffered a concussion playing offense. Freeze was asked Monday if Nkemdiche would continue to play on offense. The answer? Nkemdiche certainly wants to.

Courtesy of David Collier to read more of this story click here.

The Rebel Walk

Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly knows the SEC title game is still in reach

It is crunch time for the Ole Miss football team, following its 37-24 loss to Memphis last Saturday, and there’s one player in the locker room who’s all tuned in to what must happen for the Rebels to be successful from here on out: Ole Miss starting quarterback Chad Kelly.

The toughest part of the Rebels’ schedule awaits them, starting with 15th-ranked Texas A&M (5-1, 2-1 SEC) this coming Saturday night, and Kelly, who completed 33 of 47 passes for 372 yards and two touchdowns against the Tigers, knows how important it will be for Ole Miss to get back into the groove of things.

“The next five games are going to be crucial. You have to win,” said Kelly, who leads the Southeastern Conference in total passing yards (2,234).

Courtesy of Courtney Smith to read more of this story click here.

The Rebel Walk

Freeze says Tunsil’s return is giving the Rebels “a little extra pep”

Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze and Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin spoke during the SEC Coaches Weekly Media Teleconference on Wednesday in advance of the upcoming game between their two SEC West teams this Saturday in Oxford.

Coach Freeze began his portion of the teleconference by expressing how much the Rebels need Ole Miss fans in attendance Saturday. “We need our fan base to pack our stadium and be a 12th Man for us,” he said.

Though Rebels everywhere—including the team and staff—are disappointed with the loss to Memphis, Coach Freeze explained the need to move on. “Coaches and players just can’t afford to stay in the past,” he said. “They have to move forward.”

Freeze on practices this week

When asked how his kids have responded so far this week following the loss, Freeze explained the Rebels practiced Sunday and Tuesday this week with Monday being their academic day. Freeze has been pleased with the teams’ performance so far this week. “I enjoyed the heck out of practice yesterday and look forward to it today,” the Rebels’ head coach said.

Courtesy of Evelyn Van Pelt to read more click here.

HottyToddy.com Sports Staff