Ole Miss Rebels

FSU Football: Ole Miss Writers Answer Our Questions Ahead of Opener

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

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We asked the writers at Ole Hotty Toddy three questions ahead of FSU football’s Labor Day game against the Rebels.

We have officially hit the under one week mark before college football returns for both the fanbases of Florida State and Ole Miss. The Labor Day meeting, just the second ever between the two schools, will put one team in an early spot for a potential College Football Playoff berth with only 11 games left to play in the regular season.

For fans of both teams, there are plenty of questions about the other school – seeing as the only previous meeting occurred over a half century ago when the Rebels shut out the Seminoles 33-0 back in 1961.

For that reasons, we reached out to our friends over at FanSided’s site for the Rebels, Ole Hotty Toddy, and their site experts Drew Moak and Randy Morgan to get some insight with three main questions heading into Monday’s showdown in Orlando.

Nov 22, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; An Ole Miss Rebels cheerleader takes the field with a flag during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Ole Miss 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

After losing several big name players on offense from last year’s team, what players will step up on the Rebels’ offense and how will they attack a FSU defense considered early on to be one of the best in college football this year?

Ole Miss lost some of their biggest contributors to the NFL this past offseason. Laquon Treadwell, Laremy Tunsil, Fahn Cooper, and Cody Core all left for the NFL. Ole Miss has the pieces to replace all four of those guys, but they are uncertainties that no team needs.

At left tackle, the Rebels will most likely start Rod Taylor or Alex Givens, replacing Laremy Tunsil. The Rebels brought in five star left tackle Greg Little to take over the position, but in training camp, he hasn’t looked ready for big time competition.

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At wide receiver, the Rebels bring back Damore’a Stringfellow and Quincy Adaboyejo. Both of these guys can take over the workload that Laquon handled last season.

I think the Rebels will try and air it out early on against the Seminoles. I think Coach Freeze is confident in his running game with Akeem Judd starting, but will try and score early in the game. Look for the gameplan to mirror that of the Alabama game last year.

The Rebels have the talent to beat the Seminoles, they just can not have any costly errors. If the Rebels can force turnovers on defense, and score at will on the offense, the Rebels should win the game.

Sep 19, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) is hit by Mississippi Rebels defensive back Tony Conner (12)at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Who are some of the names to watch on defense for Ole Miss and what do they bring to the table scheme wise since they were better against the run last year ahead of facing Dalvin Cook?

Keep an eye on safety Tony Conner. When he was healthy last year, Ole Miss was a much better defense. Recently he said he was about 90 percent and Ole Miss will definitely need him versus Dalvin Cook as he is an excellent run stopper. Some other guys to look for are Defensive tackle Breeland Speaks, Defensive end Marquis Haynes and Linebacker Demarquis Gates.

Scheme wise- Ole Miss runs a base 4-2-5 but defensive coordinator Dave Wommack is good at making adjustments as needed. If FSU fans are looking for exactly what the Rebels might do, the LSU tape against Leonard Fournette last year would probably be a similar game plan. Typically, Ole Miss has been good at containing the edges but can be susceptible to being run on up the middle.

Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) looks to throw a pass against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

With Chad Kelly leaving after this season and not being able to win the SEC despite beating Alabama the last two seasons, is this the last chance for the Rebels to be in the conference and national title talk for a while or is Ole Miss in this for the long run?

I think Ole Miss is setting themselves up for the long run. Now a lot of this hinges on what the NCAA does about the investigation. If they accept the proposed penalties, Ole Miss will be fine. But if they decide to make an example out of Ole Miss, then the Rebels could go back to the days of 2-10.

But talent wise, the Rebels should be fine for the next few years. After Chad Kelly graduates, Shea Patterson will take over at the quarterback position. Freeze is very confident in him and expects him to play some this season as well.

The school has proven they are going to invest in the football program. They have scheduled a lot of these marque matchups like the Florida State game. In the future, we play California, Texas Tech, Georgia Tech, and Baylor. All four of those schools are impressive matchups.

So are we going to start a dynasty? No, but I think the Rebels will be a player in the SEC West for years to come.

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