🏈 GAME PREVIEWS AND PRACTICE REPORTS: Ole Miss versus Alabama

[Michael Casagrande |]

Alabama vs. Ole Miss, Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The sample size remains small, but patterns can emerge after four weeks of the college football action.

Alabama's 59-0 win at Vanderbilt certainly moved a few of the national stat rankings by Sunday morning. The Commodores No. 1 scoring defense dipped to 25th after allowing 13 combined points in the first three games.

The day after also means turning the calendar to a new week -- one that hasn't disappointed in excitement the previous three seasons.

Ole Miss without Chad Kelly and Hugh Freeze is still putting up big offensive numbers entering next Saturday's 8 p.m. trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The Rebels (2-1) have the fourth-best passing offense (427.0 yards per game) but the second-worst running attack (69.7 ypg). Alabama brings a defense ranked higher in each of the major categories. The shutout in Nashville bumped the Tide up to No. 4 in scoring defense.

A few individuals have notable national rankings early in the season. See them at the bottom while remembering all of these stats will become more reliable with each passing week.

Rushing offense

1. Georgia Tech 393.7

5. Alabama 311.5

129. Ole Miss 69.7

Passing offense

1. UCLA 451.8

4. Ole Miss 427.0

103. Alabama 179.7

Total offense

1. Oklahoma 605.5

19. Ole Miss 496.7

27. Alabama 482.5

Scoring offense

1. Oregon 50.8

16. Alabama 41.3

41. Ole Miss 36.0

Rushing defense

1. Minnesota 59.00

5. Alabama 70.3

96. Ole Miss 184.0

Passing defense

1. Buffalo 115.5

30. Alabama 177.8

37. Ole Miss 185.0

Total defense

1. Michigan 203.3

7. Alabama 248.0

59. Ole Miss 369.0

Scoring defense

1. Minnesota 8.0

4. Alabama 10.0

69. Ole Miss 25.7

Turnover margin

1. South Florida +10

3. Alabama +8

98. Ole Miss -2

Penalties

1. Connecticut 22.5 ypg

16. Alabama 36.3 ypg

107. Ole Miss 73.3

3rd down offense

1. TCU 63.2 %

25. Ole Miss 46.0%

46. Alabama 43.4%

3rd down defense

1. Duke 14.0%

35. Ole Miss 31.1%

55. Alabama 35.2%

Red zone TDs

1. UTEP 100%

79. Alabama 57.9%

96. Ole Miss 53.8%

20-yard plays

1. UCLA 35

39. Alabama 20

100. Ole Miss 13

Individual​

Rushing

38. Jalen Hurts, 90.0 ypg

QB rating

40. Jalen Hurts 149.15

Passing yards

2. Shea Patterson 427.0

Scoring

11. Andy Pappanastos 10.8 points per game

40. Damien Harris 9.0 ppg

20-yard runs

10. Jalen Hurts 5

37. Damien Harris 3

Interceptions

12. Ronnie Harrison 2

Passes defended

10. Levi Wallace 6

Passes broken up

9. Levi Wallace 6

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[RTB X Bot]

 

[Michael Casagrande |]

Ole Miss has the No. 4 passing offense in the nation.

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[Michael Casagrande |]

News and notes from inside Alabama football practice Tuesday afternoon.

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[Alabama17Tide]

By Tony Tsoukalas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — After a day off Monday, No. 1 Alabama returned to the practice field Tuesday for its first practice in preparation for Saturday night’s game against Ole Miss. Players were dressed in full pads for the and practiced in 89-degree weather for the workout.

Here are some notes from the media viewing period:

— For the first time in a while, Alabama didn’t seem to have anyone injured. Linebackers Rashaan Evans (groin), Anfernee Jennings (ankle) and Dylan Moses (concussion) were all moving well while running back Josh Jacobs (hamstring) showed no limitation either.

— Jennings led the outside linebackers and was followed by Mekhi Brown, Christopher Allen, VanDarius Cowan, Joshua McMillan and Ben Davis. Davis was wearing a No. 3 scout-team jersey to represent Ole Miss linebacker DeMarquis Gates.

— During individual drills, outside linebacker coach Tosh Lupoi told Brown “I’m good with you playing out of the three-point all day in this game.”

— Rashaan Evans led the inside linebackers and was followed by Shaun Dion Hamilton, Keith Holcombe Dylan Moses and Markail Benton. As usual, Mack Wilson brought up the rear.

— Alabama’s first-team defense during nickel had Levi Wallace and Anthony Averett at cornerback with Minkah Fitzpatrick at Star. Hootie Jones and Ronnie Harrison were the safeties, while Keith Holcombe and Shaun Dion Hamilton were the two linebackers.

— In the dime package, Fitzpatrick switched over to the Money position to make room for Tony Brown at Star. Holcombe was shadowed by Shaun Dion Hamilton as the lone linebacker.

— Alabama worked with the same first-team offensive line, as Jonah Williams, Ross Pierschbacher, Bradley Bozeman, Lester Cotton and Matt Womack lined up from left to right.

— Jedrick Wills is still the second-team left tackle. One thing I’ve noticed is he consistently gets an earful from offensive line coach Brent Key. It seems like Key might be especially hard on Wills because he realizes the freshman’s potential.

Tuesday practice report (Ole Miss game week) | BamaInsider.com

 

[T&B]

 

[T&B]

 

[T&B]

 

[Tidestalker]

Jennings made a noticeable difference last weekend. Really hope he stays healthy...

 

[T&B]

 

[T&B]

 

[T&B]

 

[T&B]

 

[T&B]

 

[rick4bama]

Great read and report, thank for posting this.

 

[TerryP]

In 2014 Ole Miss beat the Tide by six. In game where Bama didn't finish the way expected which included an interception late along with a fumble it's safe to say Ole Miss squeaked by the Tide. The point about this game I feel needs noting is Freeze went with his up-tempo offense. The result of that approach didn't lead to more yards for Ole Miss, didn't lead to more first downs, etc. A true upset, in my opinion.

In 2015 Freeze decided they'd slow down the offense because it would limit mistakes on their end. It worked. Once again they won by six--largely aided by five turnovers by Bama. Again, when it comes to the box score, Bama led fairly convincingly.

Same approach in '16 but this time with a Tide win (after being down by what, 21?)

As to Saturday...

Another year, another stout defense for Alabama.

Ole Miss hopes its tempo can be an equalizer.

The Rebels want to operate their offense at warp speed against Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday (8 p.m., ESPN). It’s not an objective that’s any different than weeks when Ole Miss isn’t playing the top-ranked Crimson Tide, but there aren’t as many defenses around the country that are as suffocating either.

Ole Miss is out to use its speed to its advantage.

“Every week we’re trying to improve our tempo and get better at what we do,” Ole Miss offensive coordinator Phil Longo said. “I don’t think that’s any different this week. That’s an emphasis every week, and it has been ever since we started preparing for Alabama.”
​

We're left with Longo and Luke deciding they'd like to speed things up again--a move Freeze stepped away from because he saw too many mistakes in '14. Now, with a depleted roster--when compared to the last few years--they are wanting to go with speed, again.

What does that mean? My view has Ole Miss moving the ball against the Tide through the air. Their hurry up will move the chains.

However, I also suspect that approach is going to lead to mistake after mistake from this Ole Miss squad. I don't see how we can make a comparison between Freeze/Werner and Luke/Longo.

 

[jdpas29]

game may mirror colorado st. game given their passing abilities and probably slightly better defense than co. st.

other small tidbits that stood out are turnover margin (-2 for ole miss vs +8 for BAma) and Rushing defense for ole miss giving up nearly 200 yds/game to lesser teams already. Doesn't bode well for time of possession for Ole Siss.

My bet is that BAma keeps this Ole Miss team off the field for the most part.

 

[T&B]

 

[BamaFan334]

I wrote the same thing on rollbamaroll where I expect our secondary to give up a few big plays like they always do, but I also see a 'bend but don't break' type of game. I am taking Ole Miss and the +28. I think we win by 17-21 points.

 

[Alabama17Tide]

By Tony Tsoukalas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama returned outside Wednesday for its second practice in preparation for Saturday’s game against Ole Miss inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Players donned full pads and worked in 90-degree weather for the practice.

Here are a few notes from the media viewing period.

— Starting outside linebacker Jamey Moseley was missing for a second straight day. The reason for his absence is unknown at this time.

— In other linebacker news, freshman Dylan Moses has changed his number again, switching from No. 8 to No. 18. One reason for the switch could be to allow Josh Jacobs a role on special teams alongside Moses. Jacobs, who wears No. 8, played on special teams last year as a freshman.

— Speaking of Jacobs, he continues to look strong during individual drills and shows no sign of limitation from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the first two games. If the sophomore back is indeed playing on special teams, it serves a good sign in his recovery from the injury.

— Alabama’s linebackers and defensive lineman practiced out of the dime rabbits package during team drills. Da’Shawn Hand, Isaiah Buggs, Da’Ron Payne and Mack Wilson lined up from left to right on the line with Buggs and Payne being the only two players with their hand on the ground. Anfernee Jennings played slightly behind Hand at linebacker.

— Alabama’s secondary worked out of its typical dime package with Levi Wallace and Anthony Averett as the corners, Minkah Fitzpatrick at Money and Tony Brown at Star. Hootie Jones and Ronnie Harrison were the two safeties, while Keith Holcombe was the only linebacker. In the dime rabbits package, Brown would most likely be removed from that group.

— Notable scout-team numbers include: Brian Robinson wearing No. 22 to represent Ole Miss running back Jordan Wilkins (6-foot-1, 217 pounds); Defensive end Phidarian Mathis wearing No. 3 presumedly representing Ole Miss linebacker DeMarquis Gates (6-foot-2, 221 pounds). Ben Davis was also wearing a No. 3 jersey.

— Injured linebacker Christian Miller (torn bicep) was seen in street clothes before practice. He seemed to be in good spirits and was bringing a couple sandwiches into the training room.

Wednesday practice report (Ole Miss week) | BamaInsider.com