Featuring The Daily Mississippian sports editor Dylan Rubino (@drubino11) and football writer Cody Thomason (@therealcodythomason)
1. What should the main focus of the bye week be for the Rebels?
Dylan- With a week off before the final two games of the season at Arkansas and home against Mississippi State, the focus of the bye week should be getting guys healthy. This is the final stretch of the season and with two games against SEC West opponents remaining, getting everyone close to 100 percent healthy will be key. health on the offensive line will be key on the off weekend. Getting guys like junior Ben Still and sophomore Laremy Tunsil healthy will help against physical defensive fronts that Arkansas and Mississippi State will present. Injuries will be key on defense also.
Cody- The focus should be of course to continue getting healthy, and to do everything they can to make sure they cant be upset by Arkansas. Arkansas is a vastly underrated team who’s played a lot of teams, like Mississippi State and Alabama very close. Ole Miss has to dedicate the extra time they’re getting week into preparing for what could be a very tough away game for the team.
2. After the bye week, can the Rebels win out against two Sec West opponents?
Dylan- Both scenarios are possible where the Rebels can win their last two games or lose their last two games. Both scenarios are entirely possible. The injury to sophomore wide receiver Laquon Treadwell definitely hurts the chances of Ole Miss running the table the rest of the season, but there is enough talent on both sides of the ball for the Rebels to win out. The running game of Arkansas will pose problems for the front seven of Ole Miss and Mississippi State’s quarterback Dak Prescott will will be handful to deal with both passing and running. I see both games being close, but Ole Miss getting both wins to finish the season 10-2.
Cody- I believe they can, but it will be very tough. On paper, Arkansas is almost a perfect fit for a team looking to upset the Rebels. Ole Miss has struggled against the run, especially against LSU’s power running game, and Arkansas also employs that brusing downhill style. Meanwhile, Mississippi State is putting together a fantastic undefeated season and doesn’t look to be slowing down. However, I think Ole Miss should still be able to handle Arkansas and should have a great chance to upset Mississippi State, as the Egg Bowl is always a close game.
3. Who is the one player on Ole Miss that is most needing a bye week?
Dylan- I think a bye week can really help Bo Wallace. Wallace played well last week against Presbyterian. Wallace went 11-15 passing for 140 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Wallace has to build new relationships with his new group of receivers with since the injury to Laquon Treadwell. With Treadwell out, Wallace seemed to find senior Vince Sanders and junior Cody Core often as they seem to be his two favorite targets. Two straight losses against LSU and Auburn seemed to rattle the confidence of Wallace and the team. The bye week will be a good time to rest Wallace’s arm and stay fresh for the home stretch of the season.
Cody- Cody Prewitt. Prewitt played hurt against Auburn and it really showed, with the Tigers completing several deep passes which Prewitt might have been able to get to had he been at full strength. Ole Miss cornerbacks Senquez Golson and Mike Hilton have been great at jumping passes and generating turnovers this season, but their risky style of play needs Prewitt covering deep as insurance in case they cant get to the ball.
4. When the weekend is over, will Ole Miss’ SEC and playoff chances still be alive?
Dylan- When it’s all said and done, Ole Miss’ chances in the SEC and the playoff will still be alive. In order for Ole Miss to still have a chance, Georgia needs to defeat Auburn at home and Alabama needs to beat Mississippi State at home. I think Georgia gets the win at home with the return of junior running back Todd Gurley and senior quarterback Hutson Mason on a hot streak passing the ball. I think the game in Tuscaloosa will be close, but the big game experience of Alabama will be enough to pull away at home. Rebel nation will be happy with these results.
Cody- I think there’s a great chance for the Rebel’s playoff hopes to still be alive. In order for the Rebels to have a shot, Auburn and Mississippi State both have to lose, and they’re actually both favored to lose their respective games against Georgia and Alabama. With Todd Gurley back for Georgia I expect a strong performance from them, and no one wants to take on the Crimson Tide at home. I expect Ole Miss’ playoff chances to still be standing after Saturday.
