Herring-Olvedo: Ole Miss Vs. FSU Quick Keys

Game Day Quick Notes
Date: Monday, Sept. 5, 2016
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Orlando, Florida
Venue: Camping World Stadium (70,000)
Surface: Grass
Ole Miss Rankings: 11 (AP), 12 (Coaches)
FSU Rankings: 4 (AP), 4 (Coaches)
Series: Ole Miss leads 1-0
The Line: Florida State Seminoles -4 Over/Under 57
Game Day Color: Rebels wear white

“Take Good Care of My Baby” by Bobby Vee was blaring on record players across campus here in Oxford the last time the Rebels faced the Noles.

It was October 7, 1961. The Rebels had been undefeated at home since 1951 and continued that streak well into 1961. The Rebels were anchored by Rebel quarterbacks Doug Elmore and Perry Lee Dunn, who led the No. 2 ranked Rebels in a shutout 33-0 victory in their 18th straight game without defeat. The Rebels totaled 169 passing yards and 351 rushing for a total offensive net of 520 with 28 first downs and went on to annihilate the Noles at the Hemingway Stadium, Ole Miss Rebels 33- Florida State Seminoles -0.

After months of anticipation and an offseason full of unfavorable headlines, the wait is finally over Rebel Nation. The time of truth is upon us and in just a few short days, Coach Freeze and his Rebels will head to Florida to clash with head coach Jimbo Fisher and his Seminoles in a Labor Day showdown to open the 2016 season for each team.

For the Rebels, they are looking to shake the rough off-season and start anew mentally and physically while the Seminoles are looking to go back to the big show and lock a spot in the College Playoffs.

Rebel Snapshot Offensively:
The Rebels are coming off a strong 2015 showing finishing with a record of 10-3 overall and 6-2 in the SEC, bringing home the Sugar Bowl trophy.

“The great thing is that young talent isn’t tied to a how-to model for starting a line; we get to find new ways to go about doing things. And don’t let people tell you-you can’t. Go find a way to show that you can.”- Paul Werner

The Rebels, while being anchored by veteran QB Chad Kelly, will also be trying out a new offensive line.

For Kelly’s success in the backfield, the offensive line will have to give him ample time to find open receivers. This won’t be an easy task going up against this defense, which is undoubtedly one of the best in the nation.

The Rebels will need to keep an eye on the Noles DE DeMarcus Walker who will not be letting Ole Miss have any room to breathe or even thinking of getting down the field without saying hello to him. If that wasn’t enough to worry about, the Rebels will be going head-to-head with superstar FSU LB Ro’Derrick Hoskins who will be all over the gridiron making stops and plays against the Rebels.

Rebel Snapshot Defensively:
The Rebel Defense will have its work cut out for them, to say the least, and their biggest point of interest will be the Seminoles RB and a Heisman Trophy Candidate Dalvin Cook. The Rebels will also be looking to shut down the Seminoles redshirt Freshman QB, Deondre Francois who was named the starter this past week for FSU. Though he may be young, don’t let that fool you. This kid is mentally and physically ready to call the shots in his hometown of Orlando against the Rebels. Francois also has a little help in the backfield with Travis Rudolph and Kermit Whitfield. The Rebel D will have to take control early and put the Seminoles “Under Pressure” to control their fate and the fate of the game.

The truth of the matter is that now all Rebel Nation can do is sit, wait and watch to see what will come of all of this. It won’t be perfect, and it won’t be pretty, but it will be a game. I can promise that, Rebels. Hotty Toddy!

Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo is a HottyToddy.com contributor, veteran SEC sports journalist and Brown University graduate. She loves good cigars, good games and a smooth glass of bourbon — not necessarily in that order. She can be reached at misskentuckyus2011@gmail.com.

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