Ole Miss has spent the open week working on the things that went wrong against Florida. Now comes the opportunity to show those corrections on the field.
Saturday’s trip to Vanderbilt won’t be easy. The Commodores present challenges on both sides of the football, and the Rebels can’t afford another afternoon filled with missed tackles, poor execution and inconsistent rushing production.
Pete Golding has emphasized physicality, discipline and better fundamentals throughout the week.
For Ole Miss, these five matchups could determine how Saturday unfolds.
1. Kewan Lacy and Ole Miss Running Backs vs. Vanderbilt’s Run Defense
Ole Miss needs more production from its running game.
The Rebels are averaging just 117.5 rushing yards per game, while Vanderbilt is allowing 128.2 yards per contest on the ground.
Kewan Lacy’s expected return would provide a boost, although Golding has indicated that the running back won’t immediately handle a full workload.
That means JT Lindsey and Makhi Frazier will continue to have opportunities.
The Rebels don’t necessarily need a huge rushing performance. They need consistent gains on early downs to keep Vanderbilt from putting too much pressure on Trinidad Chambliss.
2. Ole Miss Offensive Tackles vs. Vanderbilt’s Edge Rushers
Protecting Chambliss will be one of the biggest responsibilities Saturday.
Vanderbilt will look for opportunities to pressure the Ole Miss quarterback, especially when the Rebels get behind the chains.
Ole Miss needs its offensive tackles to hold up in pass protection and prevent defenders from disrupting plays before they develop.
Chambliss has shown he can extend plays with his legs, but the Rebels can’t rely on that every time protection breaks down.
Giving him a clean pocket would allow Ole Miss to attack Vanderbilt’s secondary and create opportunities downfield.
3. Ole Miss Defensive Line vs. Vanderbilt’s Offensive Line
This matchup could tell us plenty about how much Ole Miss improved during the open week.
Florida rushed for 302 yards and six touchdowns against the Rebels, exposing problems with gap discipline, tackling and getting off blocks.
Golding has made it clear those issues must be corrected.
Vanderbilt will look to establish its own rushing attack and keep the Ole Miss defense guessing.
The Rebels need their defensive linemen to control the line of scrimmage, maintain their assignments and prevent running backs from reaching the second level.
If Ole Miss can’t win up front, Vanderbilt could control the tempo of the game.
4. Ole Miss Secondary vs. Vanderbilt’s Wide Receivers
Vanderbilt has enough talent outside to challenge an Ole Miss secondary looking for a better performance.
Junior Sherrill is one of the Commodores’ top receiving threats, entering Saturday with 474 receiving yards.
Ole Miss needs to be more consistent in coverage and avoid allowing receivers to turn short completions into explosive plays.
Communication will be especially important with Vanderbilt’s ability to use different quarterbacks and offensive looks.
The Rebels don’t need to shut down every passing opportunity. They need to limit big plays and make Vanderbilt earn its yards.
5. Trinidad Chambliss vs. Vanderbilt’s Defensive Scheme
Chambliss has become a major part of the Ole Miss offense, and Saturday will be another opportunity for him to lead the Rebels on the road.
Vanderbilt will likely try to make him uncomfortable by mixing coverages, creating pressure and forcing quick decisions.
Chambliss must recognize what the defense is showing, protect the football and take advantage of favorable matchups.
Deuce Alexander has become one of his most dependable targets, while Caleb Cunningham and the rest of the receiving group give Ole Miss additional options.
The Rebels are at their best when Chambliss can distribute the football without having to create something on every snap.
Ole Miss doesn’t need to completely change its identity to beat Vanderbilt.
The Rebels need to execute better.
That starts with running the football, protecting Chambliss and playing with more discipline defensively.
Golding spent the open week demanding more physicality and accountability from his team. Saturday will show whether those improvements carry over when the game begins.
Ole Miss has talked about fixing its mistakes. Now the Rebels have to prove it against Vanderbilt.
