Ole Miss has spent much of this week talking about fixing its defense, but Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt could come down to something happening on the other side of the football.
The Rebels need to get their running game going.
Ole Miss enters the matchup averaging just 117.5 rushing yards per game, ranking 119th nationally. Vanderbilt is allowing 128.2 rushing yards per contest, making this an important matchup for an offense that has leaned heavily on Trinidad Chambliss and Deuce Alexander.
Getting Kewan Lacy back would certainly help.
Pete Golding expects Lacy to return, although the Rebels aren’t planning to give him a full workload immediately. That means JT Lindsey and Makhi Frazier will continue to have opportunities in the backfield.
Golding likes what both backs have shown.
“I think J.T. continues to go to work. He’s a very explosive player. I think Makhi runs the football extremely hard,” Golding said.
But this isn’t just about who’s carrying the football.
Ole Miss needs better blocking up front, more consistency on early downs and enough success running the ball to keep Vanderbilt from bringing pressure whenever it wants.
And the Commodores aren’t going to make that easy.
“They’re physical. On third down they run a lot of blitzes,” Ole Miss offensive lineman Terez Davis said when discussing Vanderbilt’s defense.
That’s where things could get difficult.
If Ole Miss struggles to establish the run, Vanderbilt can bring more pressure and force Chambliss into obvious passing situations.
The Rebels have shown they can make explosive plays through the air, but they can’t continue asking Chambliss to carry the offense without a consistent rushing attack.
A productive running game would also create more opportunities for Alexander and the rest of the receiving group downfield.
Golding has emphasized getting back to physical football during the open week.
“You’re going to fight like you train. You got to train like you fight,” Golding said.
That mentality will be tested Saturday.
Ole Miss doesn’t necessarily need a 200-yard rushing performance against Vanderbilt. But the Rebels need to create running lanes, stay ahead of the chains and keep the Commodores from making the offense one-dimensional.
Lacy’s return could provide a spark, but the offensive line still has to do its part.
For Ole Miss, making Vanderbilt respect the run could be the difference between controlling the game and putting too much pressure on Chambliss to make every play.
