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A pair of undefeated teams square off Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, Ala., as the Crimson Tide (2-0) welcomes in Ole Miss (2-0) for a primetime showdown.
In last year’s meeting, then No. 11 Ole Miss topped No. 3 Alabama and established itself as a legitimate contender in the SEC. This time around, No. 2 Alabama and No. 15 Ole Miss face off in a game where both teams are looking to figure out a little more about their own identities.
The Tide playing at home, where ESPN’s College GameDay will be in town for this electric SEC tilt. Here are five Ole Miss players that should have a say in the game’s outcome:
1. QB Chad Kelly — After two weeks of rotating quarterbacks, Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze has anointed junior transfer Chad Kelly as the starting quarterback. Such is a welcomed acknowledgement heading into the team’s biggest showdown to date against second-ranked Alabama. Last week, Kelly led the Rebels on scoring drives in the offense’s first seven possessions. Such momentum will be difficult to maintain as Kelly must now gear up for a Tide defense that ranks 28th in the nation. In particular, Alabama has been stout against the run, holding opponents to 63 yards per game. Ole Miss may have to lean on Kelly to move the offense up and down the field.
2. OT Christian Morris — Ole Miss released a statement prior to Saturday’s game against Fresno State that starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil will not play until the investigation into his eligibility is complete. That leaves the sophomore Morris to protect Kelly’s blind side for a third consecutive contest. The difference in play between Tunsil and Morris may not have been as apparent as the Rebels faced Tennessee-Martin and Fresno State, but against Alabama, Morris will be tested by Jarran Reed and A’Shawn Robinson, among others.
3. TE Evan Engram — The Rebels tight end has one catch for five yards through two games this season, but Engram may wind up being critical as Ole Miss prepares to face the Tide. Engram, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds, has been restricted to blocking and pass protection early on as Ole Miss has found success in the deep-passing game. However, Alabama is less inclined to be beat through the air through game-changing plays, so the Rebels and Kelly may have to revert to a dink-and-dunk style of offense. Such would lead to Engram playing a bigger role in finding holes in the Tide defense.
4. LB C.J. Johnson — One of the most seasoned and feared members of the Ole Miss defense, Johnson will be charged with spearheading the Rebels’ run defense against an Alabama offense that has piled up 458 yards on the ground through two games this season. Derrick Henry has led the Tide in rushing back-to-back weeks, gashing Wisconsin for 147 yards and three touchdowns in the opener before running for 96 yards and another three scores last week against Middle Tennessee. Three different Alabama backs saw touches in the opener and five did a week ago. Johnson and the Ole Miss defense will be tested against an array of rushers, including Henry, who has game-breaking ability. In his season debut against Fresno State, Johnson had a pair of tackles and a 70-yard interception return.
5. CB Kendarius Webster — Ole Miss cornerback Tee Shepard was ejected for targeting a Fresno State receiver in the third quarter of Saturday’s game, and by rule will be suspended for the first half against Alabama. Shepard is listed second to Webster on the Ole Miss depth chart, but has been a productive cornerback playing off the bench. With Shepard out for the first half of the game, Webster will be charged with holding down the corner spot opposite Tony Bridges. The game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., marks Webster’s third career start. Webster gets the favorable matchup of facing two Alabama quarterbacks who threw an interception against Middle Tennessee a week ago. There will be opportunities for both Webster and Bridges to get turnovers.
Sam Spiegelman is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, LSU and Texas A&M.
