Ole Miss knows exactly who is coming to Oxford next Saturday.
Former Rebels quarterback Austin Simmons and wide receiver Cayden Lee are returning to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, but this time they’ll be wearing Missouri uniforms.
And the two have already developed a connection that could create problems for Pete Golding’s defense.
Ole Miss is coming off an impressive 52-17 victory over Vanderbilt, a performance that helped the Rebels bounce back from their loss at Florida.
But Missouri presents a different challenge.
Not only are the Tigers bringing a productive offense to Oxford, but two of their key playmakers are familiar faces who once shared the Ole Miss locker room.
Simmons and Lee Are Finding Their Rhythm
Missouri improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in SEC play following Saturday’s 27-6 victory over Texas A&M.
Simmons completed 14 of 28 passes for 147 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Meanwhile, Lee was his favorite target, finishing with seven receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown.
The biggest connection came in the second quarter.
Facing third-and-four, Simmons found Lee on a crossing route for a 32-yard touchdown that gave Missouri the lead.
It was the kind of play Ole Miss must be prepared to defend Saturday.
Simmons and Lee already know each other’s tendencies, and that familiarity could become important when Missouri faces pressure or needs a third-down conversion.
Knowing Simmons Isn’t Enough
Golding and his defensive staff are familiar with Simmons from his time in Oxford.
They’ve seen him practice, understand his skill set and know what he can bring to an offense.
However, knowing a quarterback doesn’t guarantee success against him.
Simmons also showed he can contribute with his legs against Texas A&M, rushing four times for 24 yards.
For Ole Miss, keeping him contained and forcing him into difficult passing situations will be important.
The Rebels must also avoid the missed tackles and defensive breakdowns that hurt them in their 52-28 loss at Florida.
Lee Could Be a Problem
Lee presents another interesting matchup for the Ole Miss secondary.
The former Rebel has become a reliable target for Simmons, especially when Missouri needs to move the chains.
Against Texas A&M, Lee was targeted 13 times, accounting for nearly half of Missouri’s passing targets.
That says plenty about the trust Simmons has developed in his former Ole Miss teammate.
And for the Rebels, the challenge goes beyond simply knowing Lee’s strengths.
They must communicate in coverage, limit yards after the catch and make Simmons look elsewhere when Missouri needs a big play.
Missouri Has More Than Two Weapons
While Simmons and Lee will receive plenty of attention, Ole Miss cannot overlook running back Jamal Roberts.
The Missouri standout rushed for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries against Texas A&M.
He also broke loose for a 54-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that helped put the game away.
That production should concern an Ole Miss defense that allowed Florida to control the ground game two weeks earlier.
If Roberts establishes the run, Missouri could create more favorable passing situations for Simmons and Lee.
And that’s where things could get difficult for the Rebels.
Golding’s defense must find a way to stop the run without giving Missouri’s passing game too much room to operate.
A Different Test for Ole Miss
Ole Miss improved to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in SEC play with Saturday’s victory over Vanderbilt.
The Rebels showed improvement defensively, created turnovers and played with more physicality following their open week.
But Missouri brings a balanced offense that could test whether those improvements will carry over against another SEC opponent.
The Tigers are also coming to Oxford with momentum after consecutive victories over Florida and Texas A&M.
For Ole Miss, this matchup isn’t simply about facing two former players.
It’s about continuing to improve defensively and protecting its home field against a Missouri team capable of moving the football in several ways.
The Bottom Line
There will be plenty of attention surrounding Simmons and Lee when they return to Oxford.
Both players know the Ole Miss program, and the Rebels know what each can do.
But once the game begins, familiarity won’t mean much if Ole Miss cannot execute.
The Rebels must contain Simmons, limit Lee’s opportunities and prevent Roberts from taking control on the ground.
Ole Miss knows the two former Rebels.
Now Golding’s defense has to prove it can stop them.
