Ole Miss Rebels

Alabama Football: The Tide Will Absolutely Beat Ole Miss

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Alabama football team absolutely will beat the Ole Miss this weekend. Here are 5 reasons Bama stays on top.

ICYMI: Time Traveling Back To the Rebels’ Relevancy

As the Alabama football team heads to Oxford this weekend, many are questioning the Tide’s ability to top the Rebels.

“Ole Miss won the last two matchups, and this year is at home!”

“Alabama looked like garbage against Western Kentucky last weekend, so they can’t hang with a top SEC school.”

“The Tide’s defense isn’t THAT great.” (*eyeroll emoji)

“The Rebels have Chad Kelly, but Bama still doesn’t know who their QB really is!”

“Those young Alabama football players don’t even know what it’s like to beat Ole Miss!”

Ole Miss supporters and even some Alabama “fans” have thrown out these phrases the last several weeks, basically providing reasons why the Crimson Tide will fall to the Rebs.

BamaHammer is here to tell everyone that our Alabama football team will not only win this weekend, they will DOMINATE in Oxford.

Here’s why.

5. Last Year Was a Fluke

Sep 19, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive back Trae Elston (7) returns an interception as Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Richard Mullaney (16) reaches out for him. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

People love to remind others that the Ole Miss Rebels have beaten the Crimson Tide in their last two matchups. What some don’t like to remember is that last year’s game was a bit of an outlier.

Alabama had not settled on a starting quarterback prior to last year’s game, and it wasn’t decided until somewhere around the third quarter. Cooper Bateman, once thought to be a frontrunner for the job at Bama this year, lacked experience and confidence in his first collegiate start.

That lack of experience and confidence not only lead to FIVE turnovers in the game, but also solidified Jake Coker as Alabama football’s starting QB. Once Coker took over under center, the Tide started to roll and it looked as though Bama might make a comeback.

Mistakes, penalties, and a miraculous pass by Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly led to a disastrous ending for Alabama. The Tide came back to finish the season strong and eventually won the CFP National Championship.

While the history of this matchup is worth noting, there are two important factors to keep in mind going into this game. One: Alabama will not turn the ball over FIVE times this weekend. They just won’t. And Two: Alabama football head coach Nick Saban HATES to lose.

4. Saban (And Those Ass-Chewings)

Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban looks back at offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) during the game against Western Kentucky. The Tide defeated the Hilltoppers 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

It’s nearly impossible to beat a Nick Saban-coached team twice in a row – much less three times in a row. In fact, no team has EVER beaten a Saban-coached team three times in his entire career. Will Ole Miss be the first to accomplish this feat?

Not likely.

Saban and the rest of the Alabama football coaching staff haven’t forgotten the last two years. Saint Nick is famous for his “24 Hour Rule” and “Don’t look ahead”, but everyone knows they’ve had this particular game on the radar for a while. Preparations have been intense the last few weeks, and this week has been no exception.

Following a what has been dubbed by some as an “embarrassing win” over Western Kentucky last week, Saban spoke to the media in a way that has become his MO. When asked if he and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin argued on the sidelines, Saban retorted, “Those aren’t arguments, those are ass-chewings”.

Among the problems Alabama dealt with against WKU were missed blocks by the offensive line, a missed field goal by kicker Adam Griffith, and a slew of penalties. It’s a no-brainer that Saban has done quite a bit of ass-chewing of both coaches and players in practices since Sunday.

If anyone can pump up a team and have them ready, both physically and mentally, to play a game under massive pressure, it’s head coach Nick Saban.

3. Bama’s Dual Threat Quarterback

Sep 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) runs for a touchdown past USC Trojans defensive back Chris Hawkins (4).. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

There were some questions about who would take the snaps for the Crimson Tide earlier in the year, but true freshman Jalen Hurts sealed the deal last week. While Hurts had a good showing against USC in the season opener, he really shined in his first start as the Alabama football quarterback against Western Kentucky.

Hurts threw three amazing bullets down field – a 22 yard pass and a 40 yard pass – that were both dropped by his intended receivers. He also lobbed a 63 yarder to ArDarius Stewart that was called back because of a penalty. Those are just the passes that DON’T count in his already impressive stats. And oh yeah – the kid can run too.

Hurts finished 23 for 36 attempts, and had 287 yards with two touchdown passes and NO turnovers while leading Alabama to a 38-10 victory over the Hilltoppers. Did he deliver a flawless performance? Not a chance. Saban himself even said that Hurts did “Okay”.

However, this is Hurts’ third game taking snaps for the Crimson Tide. He’s had time to settle into a rhythm, and he has the confidence of his team behind him. The eighteen year old can drop 60 yard bombs (if his receivers will just catch them), and he can run if he gets into trouble. It’s the first time in a few seasons Alabama football truly has a “dual threat” quarterback leading the team, and that will certainly help put them in front of Ole Miss for the win.

2. Defense Wins Championships

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Hootie Jones (6) celebrates after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Everyone has heard the phrase, “Defense wins championships,” and nowhere is this more evident than in the Alabama football program. With four national championships in the last seven years, it’s safe to say that the Crimson Tide know a thing about winning at a national level – and really big SEC games, too.

Alabama’s defense is a juggernaut, forcing five straight three-and-outs against then-20th ranked USC in the season opener. They held USC and Western Kentucky to a combined total of 16 points compared to Alabama’s combined 90.

Bama’s defense forced four turnovers and racked up seven sacks in the two previous games alone. Those boys don’t just create turnovers, either – they create points off of those turnovers.

Alabama football ranks sixth in the country in total defense, and is second only to Florida in the SEC. Our defensive line is quicker off the line than last year. They are able to drop seven in coverage and will still be able to pressure Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly with four up front.

Bama’s defense is savage, and they will not let up his weekend.

1. Revenge Is Sweet

Sep 19, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama wide receiver Richard Mullaney celebrates with Calvin Ridley (3) after Mullet scored against Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

It sounds simple, but this Alabama football team is out for revenge. The Tide was embarrassed at home in Tuscaloosa last year, and they want nothing more than to turn the tables on the Rebels Saturday night.

BamaHammer created a Twitter poll earlier this week that asked the question, “How much of a ‘revenge factor’ is there for Alabama against Ole Miss this year?” 70% of the current 240 responders said “100%”. Only 20 percent of voters said either 50% or zero. The fans want the win, and so does the team.

Alabama is the current national title holder, but there’s still a blemish on last year’s record. That ugly mark, the number in the “loss” column, was put there by Ole Miss. The entire Bama nation wants another golden prize for the trophy case, and they want it with a perfect record.

Is that a lot to expect from a team? Of course it is. But hey…this is Alabama football, and we settle for nothing less than excellence.

Alabama will absolutely beat the Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford Saturday night. Game time is set for 2:30p.m. central time and will air on CBS, so get ready for some Verne and Gary. Roll Tide, y’all.