2021 SEC Football Preview: Ole Miss Rebels

2020 Recap

2020 Schedule

2020 Record: 5-5

5th in the West

It was an electric start to Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss career. The good news for the Rebs is Kiffin was able to do what he does best and jump start a somewhat lethargic offense from 2020. Ole Miss was 3rd in the SEC in scoring, 3rd in passing per game, and led the conference in rushing for game.

There was little Kiffin and defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin could do in year one defensively. As a result the Rebels remained at the bottom of the conference in most defensive categories which resulted in some wacky scores and losses.

2021 Outlook

Avoid the Arkansas (and LSU) Game

Yes, the offense were among the top of the league in most categories. Unfortunately that includes turnovers. Matt Corral had an absolute meltdown against Arkansas and then again against LSU. Versus Arkansas he had just two scores to go with seven, yes SEVEN, turnovers (6 interceptions, one fumble). He had a curtain call in LSU with a similar three score, six turnover performance.

Matt Corral (Photo by 247sports.com)

Matt Corral can’t have that happen this year. He’s better than that and showed that throughout a mostly flawless rest of the season. Outside of those games he had 24 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He struggled at times last year to look off the defense, favoriting Elijah Moore and his tight end Kenny Yeboah a lot early on.

The good news is he was without both of those targets in the bowl game against Indiana. He looked like a Heisman finalist against one of the Big Ten’s top defenses; one that forced the most interceptions per game in the conference. That should make fans feel very good heading into 2021.

Defense. Any Defense.

Remember the Landshark Defense? Few do. It’s actually impressive how long Ole Miss has been one of the worst, most times the worst defense in the SEC. Last year was a banner year in that regard as they were last in points allowed per game, rushing yards per game and 13th in passing per game. It was the worst during this stretch.

D.J. Durkin’s big fix is taking a little longer than expected but there is some positive news on that end. The Rebels brought in some immediate help on the front seven. Isaiah Iton and Jamond Gordon are two JUCO’s that will help an atrocious defensive line from 2020. And Chance Campbell came over from linebacker at Durkin’s old team Maryland where he was recruited by Durkin.

Otis Reese (Photo by olemissports.com)

The secondary SEC rank is worst or 13th in passing yards allowed since 2016. Is there any chance that changes? Maybe. Otis Reese is a name to look out for as his presence in the final three games last year was immediately impactful. Junior A.J. Finley made a big jump from his freshman year in 2020 and led the team in interceptions.

Recap

There has been an awful lot of hype surrounding Oxford this preseason, not all of it unwarranted. Approach cautiously. The offense should repeat what it did in 2020, possibly be even better with an improved offensive line and a dominant backfield. But you must eliminate the train wreck games.

Mix that in with any level of somewhat competence defensively and this team could be dangerous. They’ll get favorable East opponents in Tennessee and Vanderbilt so there’s a realistic chance Ole Miss could earn a top 3 finish in the SEC West. Throw in a 4-0 non conference and a New Year’s Six Bowl could be on the table.

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