(Photo: The Oxford Eagle)
Campus Clash
(8) Ole Miss Rebels at (14) Oklahoma Sooners
Ole Miss (6–1):
Saturday was the first time I had a chance to really watch Ole Miss closely. After that game against Georgia, I came away thinking that Lane Kiffin has something special brewing in Oxford. If they continue to use the transfer portal wisely and recruit effectively, we could be talking about a true SEC powerhouse in a few years. This is one of the most balanced offenses in the country. They’re just as effective running the ball as they are throwing it. They like to speed games up and move the sticks with pace, but they can also slow it down when needed. I was also excited to see Trinidad Chambliss play. He impressed me, especially considering it was a tough road start in front of 93,000 fans at Samford Stadium in Athens. Now, let me be blunt. The Rebels made the same mistake the Tennessee Volunteers did when they faced Georgia: they built a lead but didn’t close the door. I said it then and I’ll say it again now—when you’re playing a team like Georgia and have them on the ropes, you have to keep your foot on the gas and finish. This would’ve been a huge win if they had held on, but they fell short and suffered their first loss of the season. They were able to slice up Georgia’s defense for three quarters until the Dawgs made adjustments in the fourth, holding them to just one yard of offense. This Saturday, they head to Norman for another tough SEC road showdown.
Oklahoma (6–1):
I’ll be the first to say it—they rushed John Mateer back for the Red River Rivalry. I get it. It’s one of the biggest games on the schedule. But he didn’t look right, and Texas came out and played as expected (but that’s a conversation for another day). I’ll give John the benefit of the doubt because, before his injury, he was playing some really good football. I even said he was the most impactful transfer quarterback in the country at that point. His presence has transformed this offense. When I watched them, I saw glimpses of the speed and tempo they played with during the Lincoln Riley/Baker Mayfield era—maybe not quite to that level, but close. After a bad loss, I always look to see how a team bounces back the next week. Oklahoma responded on the road against South Carolina, earning their sixth win of the season. As good as the offense has been, the defense has stood out even more—it’s one of the best I’ve seen all year. That’s the Brent Venables effect, and it’s his specialty. Just imagine if the 2017 Sooners with Baker Mayfield or the 2018 team with Kyler Murray had this defense. They’d probably have at least one national title. I’ll even go as far as to say this is the best defense in the SEC. This Saturday, they return home for a huge showdown with Ole Miss.
Ole Miss X-Factor: Kewan Lacy
Kewan ranks third on the team in rushing yards and is second in touchdowns with 10. I like that he’s a powerful yet shifty runner who can run between the tackles or bounce it outside. He’s also tough to bring down in open space. Against a defense like Oklahoma’s—strong on first down and excellent at limiting big plays—Lacy’s ability to generate positive yards will be crucial. If he can get going, the Rebels will have chances to stretch the field with their other playmakers.
Oklahoma X-Factor: Peyton Bowen
What doesn’t this Oklahoma defense do well? The front seven is physical, the linebackers swarm and cover sideline to sideline, and the secondary plays with confidence. Peyton Bowen is a key part of the Sooners’ secondary. He can lock down receivers, break up passes, and play the run when needed. One turnover from him could completely shift the momentum of this game.
Final Thoughts:
It’s Week 9 of the college football season, and we’re only a few weeks away from the first College Football Playoff rankings. It always flies by, doesn’t it? This is a big one for both teams. Ole Miss is looking to bounce back from its first loss, while Oklahoma is aiming to keep momentum on their side and continue stacking wins. Both of these offenses can catch lightning in a bottle, so don’t be surprised if this turns into a shootout. The matchup I’ll be watching closely is the Ole Miss offensive line versus the Oklahoma defensive front. That leads to my first key for the Rebels: win the line of scrimmage. If they can establish Kewan Lacy and keep Chambliss protected, they’ll stay afloat. Losing the trenches makes everything else harder. The second key: attack with play action and mix the run and pass effectively. And finally: control the momentum and time of possession. For Oklahoma, the keys are to apply early pressure, force Ole Miss out of rhythm, control the tempo, avoid self-inflicted setbacks, and capitalize in the red zone. I like Oklahoma here to get the win at home.
