Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss vs Memphis: 3 Tigers to Watch Against the Rebels

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

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Sep 17, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Tigers linebacker Darian Porter (29) celebrates after the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Memphis Tigers defeated Kansas Jayhawks 43-7. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss vs Memphis is one of the more underrated rivalry’s in college sports, and this weekend will see another matchup between the two schools.

The 71.6 miles that separate University, MS and Memphis, TN is a distance traveled by many. Whether you are traveling for business or for pleasure, many fans forget how close the University of Memphis and the University of Mississippi are.

Many older fans remember the fierce battles between Memphis State and Ole Miss, but the younger generation is now being reintroduced to the mayhem.

While Ole Miss has found its way in the SEC, Memphis has taken control of the AAC and is fighting to join the Big-12.

Despite losing their star head coach Justin Fuente to Virginia Tech, Memphis has continued to wreak havoc in the AAC on the field and off.

Memphis is currently 27th in the nation in recruiting for 2017, while Ole Miss is 42nd. While a lot of that is due to the NCAA Investigation, it is still impressive that Mike Novell has taken over the Tigers so quickly.

The Tigers have defeated Kansas, Bowling Green, and Southeast Missouri State before taking on the Rebels. Last week’s matchup between Memphis and Bowling Green ended in Memphis winning 77-3.

So who do the Rebels need to stop to have a chance to beat the Tigers?

Sep 3, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Riley Ferguson (4) waits of the snap against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Riley Ferguson | Quarterback

Despite the Tigers blowing out lesser opponents, Riley Ferguson has not put up gaudy stats. Through three games, Ferguson has thrown for 843 yards, 11 TDs, and 2 INTs.

Ferguson has a favorite wide receiver in Anthony Miller. Miller leads the team with 17 receptions for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Memphis relies heavily on Ferguson to produce on offense, but they also spread the wealth running the ball as well. The team has run for 555 yards in three games, with the majority of those yards being split between Patrick Taylor Jr. and Doroland Dorceus.

If the Rebels defensive line can get some pressure on Ferguson, they can stop him. He isn’t the dual-threat quarterback that has lit up the Rebel defense all season, but more akin to Jacob Eason, a pro-style quarterback.

Simply put, Ferguson is not Paxton Lynch, who torched the Rebel defense last season.

The young defensive backfield helped the Rebels out against the Georgia Bulldogs, can they do the same against Memphis?

Oct 17, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Tigers linebacker Genard Avery (6) and Memphis Tigers defensive lineman Ricky Hunter (91) celebrate during the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Memphis Tigers beat Mississippi Rebels 37-24. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Genard Avery | Linebacker

Many Rebel fans know who Genard Avery is. The linebacker from Grenada, MS was a Rebel fan growing up and wanted an offer from his home-state team. He never received that offer, and looking back, that was the wrong decision.

Avery’s cousin, CJ Avery is a 4* DB in Mississippi this year and is looking at the Rebels as a possible landing spot.

Genard was rumored to have been looking to transfer to Ole Miss in the off-season, but those rumors died down in August.

Avery is a quick, agile linebacker who can give a team fits. He is second on the team in tackles with 16, including a team-leading 4 tackles for loss. Avery does not have a sack this season.

Against Bowling Green, Avery returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown.

Ole Miss will have to slow down Avery is they want to be successful on offense. He can play in coverage as well as he can rush. The Rebel offensive line will have to be stout if they want to have any success running the ball against Avery and the Tigers defense.

Sep 24, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Tigers place kicker Jake Elliott (46) kicks a extra point during the first half against the Bowling Green Falcons at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Elliott | Kicker

Elliott leads the Memphis football team in scoring this season, with 33 points to his name. He is 5-for-6 this season on field goals, with his longest attempt being 50 yards.

Elliott is also the kickoff specialist for the Tigers. He has kicked 28 times, with 22 of those being touchbacks.

If Ole Miss wants to succeed on Saturday, they will have to limit Elliott’s effectiveness. Whether that is by forcing bad field goal attempts or by returning kickoffs for a substantial gain.

Elliott is one of the more effective players on the Tigers team, but Ole Miss has their own kicker to show off. Gary Wunderlich is also 5-for-6 on field goals this season.

Nathan Noble will be kicking the ball off for the Rebels on Saturday. He has kicked off 28 times this season, with 16 of those being touchbacks.

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