Rebels still have some tough opponents to face

Ole Miss will be tested by three nationally-ranked teams in the next four weeks

Peter Ross
dm senior Staff writer

The 23-ranked Ole Miss Rebels did something that they have not done in over 40 years last Saturday night: beat LSU three consecutive seasons. But it was the Rebels dominace that deserves the story.

The last time Ole Miss defeated LSU three straight times was from 1952-1957, when the Rebels defeated the Tigers six consecutive times. The 42-23 win also marked the first time Ole Miss has won two straight in Baton Rouge since winning in 1966 (17-0) and 1968 (27-24). The Rebels controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage and physically dominated the Tigers. The Rebel offense ran the ball at will, while the nation's No. 5 ranked run defense held LSU to just 15 yards rushing. They did so in the first half, in front of an announced 80,084 crowd (which really was more like 67,000 people and 14,000 empty seats), and then silenced the LSU crowd by pounding out 323 yards rushing on the ground. Ole Miss averaged 6.6 yards per carry.

So far this season, the Rebels have experienced some ups (defeating Auburn and LSU) and downs (losing to Vanderbilt at home), but what is really scary about this Rebel team is that they are getting more and more comfortable with the coaches' style of football.

With three games remaining, the Rebels are already bowl eligible, but would like to improve on their bid for a bigger and better bowl. Each win the rest of the season will elevate Ole Miss higher and higher in the bowl picture and the national standings. The remaining games will not be easy, as the Rebels face three ranked teams and two of those teams are in the top 10. Each of the remaining teams has a different style of play to adjust to.

First, the Rebels face the Arkansas Razorbacks who are ranked 24th in the nation. The Rebels will be looking for payback after last season's embarrassing 34-0 loss in Fayetteville. Arkansas has the best wide receiver in the SEC, Anthony Lucas, and they have a lot of experience. Arkansas is second in the league in scoring, averaging over 37 points a game. For the Rebels to be successful they must stop a very dangerous passing game.

No. 10-ranked Georgia is the next team on the schedule, and again Ole Miss will try to avenge a loss from last season. The Rebels should be up for this game since last season's match-up broke quarterback Romaro Miller's collar bone, subsequently causing him to miss the Mississippi State game. Ole Miss must stop Georgia quarterback Quincy Carter and a strong offense, balanced by the solid running back duo of Jasper Sanks and Patrick Pass.

The final game of the season is arch rival Mississippi State, a team that is ranked 8th in the nation and undefeated thanks to their cupcake schedule. Mississippi State's defense is the best in the SEC and one of the best in the nation, but the Bulldogs don't have an offense that can move the ball. Mississippi State's defense is the reason that the Bulldogs have managed to squeeze by Memphis, Auburn and LSU.

Last year the Rebels were in the same position that they are in this season. They were 6-2 with Arkansas, Georgia, and Mississippi State remaining on the schedule. The Rebels ended up on the short end of the stick on all three games, but this year the team seems to be getting better and stronger as the season progresses.