In this week’s edition of Four Downs, The Daily Mississippian football beat writers Matt Sigler and Cody Thomason and sports editor David Collier answer four questions regarding the week’s matchup.
1. With key players out on the OL, will Ole Miss continue to struggle running the ball or will they get it figured it out?
Matt Sigler (@SigNewton_2): I think this is going to continue to be a struggle. With the lack of success these past few games, I just don’t see the Rebels pulling themselves out of this hole, especially with key players out. I think they try to run, but in the end, the pressure falls on the shoulders of Bo Wallace to throw.
Cody Thomason (@TheCodyThomason): Although the return of Jeff Scott will provide a boost to the run game, the recent injuries certainly hamper the line’s chance in this game. Freshman Austin Golson being out will certainly hurt the rushing offense, and if freshman Laremy Tunsil is out, the rushing attack will suffer even more. I expect the run game to struggle against Georgia Tech, but not to the point where the offense is one-dimensional.
David Collier (@DavidLCollier): Ole Miss will struggle, but still be able to move the ball some on the ground. The key will be gaining yards on first down. Positive first-down plays are what makes this offense work. If the Rebels can do that, they’ll be OK. Also, look for Bo Wallace to be more of a presence in the read option.
I also think Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze will look to continue to run even if they are struggling early. It’s the key to making the offense successful, so they can’t get away from it.
2. How will the Rebels look to slow down the Georgia Tech triple option and will they be successful?
Sigler: I think the Ole Miss defense has potential to be successful slowing down the triple-option, but it’s going to have to play smart and under control. Assignment football will be the key, and if every man is able to execute their assignment on that given play, I don’t see why they wouldn’t have success.
Thomason: As it is with any option team, the best way to slow down Georgia Tech’s offense is to shut down the run game. That’s easier said than done, as the Yellow Jackets have quite an impressive running attack, but that’s about all they have, as their passing offense ranks 118th in the nation gaining only 129 yards a game. I don’t think Ole Miss will be able to shut down the triple option, but I also don’t think the defense will let the Yellow Jackets run away with the game.
Collier: Junior safety Cody Prewitt will basically be a linebacker in this game. They have moved him up near the line of scrimmage at different times this season to help with a tough running offense, and this game should put him in the same spot. The jobs that Prewitt, senior linebacker Mike Marry and junior linebacker Serderius Bryant do filling gaps will determine the success Ole Miss will have.
Overall, the Rebels have had success against the run this season, so I think they play well against it, giving the Ole Miss offense all the opportunity in the world to get a lead.
3. Will Bo Wallace bounce back after a disappointing Egg Bowl performance?
Sigler: I think he does. I believe this team has rallied around him and backs him 100 percent. I expect Wallace to be resilient and have a solid day.
Thomason: I think Wallace has a lot to prove this game. An otherwise good season has been marred by his atrocious Egg Bowl performance, and I think Wallace will shrug off his critics and rebound in this game.
Collier: Yes. Bo Wallace is a good quarterback, despite what has been said about him over the past month. Yes, he is coming off his worst game of his career, but that doesn’t change what he’s done all season. Wallace will bounce back with a good performance and carry the Ole Miss offense to a solid day.
4. What is the key for both teams to get the win?
Sigler: For Georgia Tech, it has to be time of possession and wearing down the Ole Miss defense with their running game. For Ole Miss, I think it is limiting turnovers and keeping the defense off the field, because I believe when the Rebels are on defense, the Yellow Jackets will eat a major chunk of clock and wear down those players.
Thomason: The key for Ole Miss is for the offense to play to its full potential. It struggled mightily in it’s last two games against Missouri and Mississippi State, pretty much losing these games for the Rebels, as the defense performed admirably. The offense cannot hold the team back again and has to bounce back.
For Georgia Tech, the key is going to be how their run game fares against the Rebels defense. The Yellow Jackets rank fourth in the nation at 311 yards per game and have incredible depth in the run game, as 10 separate players have scored rushing touchdowns for them this season.
Collier: I think it is time of possession for both teams. Georgia Tech will be looking to use as much clock as possible with their slow, grind-it-out type of offense that can wear the Rebel defense down in the second half. Ole Miss has two speeds — fast and normal. Look for them to stick to the normal pace in this game to give their defense some time to rest. It is also more important that Ole Miss capitalizes on scoring opportunities when they get them because if the Yellow Jackets are able to move the ball and run the clock, those chances will be few and far between.
