Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss Football: Issues Exposed at the Halfway Point of the Season

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

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Oct 15, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema talks to Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) after the game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Ole Miss 34-30. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The Ole Miss football team has reached the halfway point of the season. Yet there are still issues that should have been solved by now.

I am not one for piling on, but the Ole Miss football team losing to Arkansas on Saturday was a collective gut punch to the team and the fan base. However, at the halfway point of the season, the Rebels are dealing with issues that many feel should have been resolved by now.

There were high expectations for this team coming into the season. So being 3-3 is a bitter pill for everyone to swallow. But it’s how the team got to that record that has caused the disappointment. Ole Miss has been near victory in each loss. They realistically could be 6-0 and ranked number one in the country.

Two of the losses came in games in which we held a 21 point lead. The final loss against the Razorbacks was against a team that most felt we were better than. However, there are glaring issues that are still plaguing this Ole Miss football team.

Oct 15, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Devwah Whaley (21) rushes as Ole Miss Rebels linebacker DeMarquis Gates (3) defends in the second quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers

For the first time, this season, the Rebels started Ray Ray Smith at a linebacker position. Smith adds his name to a revolving door of players who’ve started for the Ole Miss football team at that position.

Look at the list of starters this year. DeMarquis Gates, Detric Bing-Dukes, Tayler Polk, Rommel Mageo, Terry Caldwell and now Smith have all started at least once this season. After watching the game against Arkansas, it appears the Rebels still don’t have it figured it out.

The fact that the Rebels are still trying to figure out the rotations at linebacker this deep into the season is not good. Gates appears the be the most talented of the group. However, he has found himself in Coach Hugh Freeze’s doghouse this year.

This week Coach Freeze has given the job of coaching the mike linebackers to Christian Robinson while Dave Wommack will handle the stingers. But this move, this late in the season shows desperation. If things don’t change on the field soon, the season will continue to go downhill.

The coaches said that the linebacker position would be a priority during the bye week. It is still not solved. There are still a lot question left to be answered. I don’t know if they can be answered this year.

Oct 15, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Jared Collins (29) defends a pass intended for Ole Miss Rebels wide receiver Damore Stringfellow.

Offensive Woes

The one positive aspect of the Ole Miss football season has been the offense. However, the offense has been sort of an enigma. Chad Kelly and the crew can put points on the board. But they go through periods of inactivity.

Third quarters continue to be an issue for the Rebels. I’m not sure what goes on during halftime, but whatever it needs to stop. They come out lethargic and lifeless each game. The Georgia game was the only exception. However, that may say more about the Bulldogs than the Rebels.

The disappointment in the Arkansas game was threefold. For some reason, the Rebels abandoned the running game. The combination of Eugene Brazley and Akeem Judd worked well against Memphis. We didn’t see it tried against the Hogs.

Plus, Chad Kelly was off. Overthrowing some receivers and underthrowing others. He just seemed distracted this week. Lastly, the receives were dropping passes. The first drive of the game stalled after a drop by Evan Engram (who played a great game overall) and a bobbled incompletion by Quincy Adeboyejo.

Our receivers are praised for their sure hands. So we hope this was just an anomaly. They need to get back to normal against LSU.

Oct 15, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Devwah Whaley (21) rushes in the first quarter as Ole Miss Rebels linebacker Ray Ray Smith (22) defends at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Run Defense

If there has been one obvious concern, it is the Rebels’ run defense or lack there of. So far at this halfway juncture of the season, teams have been able to rush against us. Teams are averaging 215.3 yards a game against Ole Miss.

One time Rebel verbal commit, Rawleigh Williams III had 27 carries for 180 yards for the Razorbacks. He was able to run all over the Rebel defense. Williams was able to break off with big runs during key times in the game.

Much of the deficiency against the run can be laid at the feet of the linebackers. But some of it can be attributed to the defensive line as well. The Rebel defensive line excels at putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, even if it doesn’t end in a sack. But they need to improve on stopping the run.

This may also be a matter of defensive scheme. Much of the lack of defensive success has to fall on Coach Wommack. What we are doing on defense is not working. At some point, we should just try something different. On the Rebels’ schedule, if you include Williams, Ole Miss faces the top five rushers in yards per game in the SEC. Four are left on the schedule.