Photo By Ignacio Murillo | The Daily Mississippian
Many say football games are won in the trenches, and that will be the case come Dec. 30 when Ole Miss and Georgia Tech duke it out in the Music CIty Bowl. Both offenses can be impossible to stop at times, but the success can really be dialed down to the success of the offensive line.
Georgia Tech relies on it more than Ole Miss with their difficult-to-defend triple-option attack, but the Rebels’ run-based spread makes their offensive line vital as well.
Ole Miss has not lost this season when they rush for at least 150 yards. They are 6-0 when eclipsing that mark and just 1-5 when they don’t. The Rebels only rushed for 103 yards in their win over Arkansas.
That trend stays true for the Yellow Jackets as well.
Georgia Tech averages 311.67 rushing yards per game with their run-heavy offense, and they are 6-1 when rushing for over 300 yards. They are just 1-4 in games where they don’t break the 300-yard plateau.
The Yellow Jackets and the Rebels have several veterans on the offensive line. However, Georgia Tech wins the experience battle with three seniors, a junior and sophomore listed at the top of the depth chart. Ole Miss wins the battle on the scale, as they average 326.6 pounds on their expected starting offensive line. Georgia Tech averages 294.4 pounds.
Georgia Tech will start seniors Will Jackson and Ray Beno at left and right tackle, respectively. Sophomore Trey Braun is the left guard with junior Shaquille Mason getting the nod at right guard. The quarterback of the offensive line will be senior Jay Finch at center.
Ole Miss is fighting the injury bug on the line and will likely be without freshmen Laremy Tunsil and Austin Golson. Tunsil injured his knee in the Egg Bowl and remains questionable for the bowl game. Golson had surgery on a knee injury following the Egg Bowl and is out. Junior left guard Aaron Morris has missed the entire season with an ACL injury.
In their place, Ole Miss will start senior Emmanuel McCray, who began the year as a starter, at left tackle. Senior Pierce Burton will be at right tackle, while senior Jared Duke and sophomore Justin Bell will man the left and right guard positions, respectively. Calling things in the middle will be senior center Evan Swindall. Senior Patrick Junen will also rotate in at both guard spots.
Analysis
As stated earlier, if either offensive line can win one-on-one battles in the trenches, these offenses will be successful. If not, it could be a defensive battle.
Ole Miss has the advantage if the offensive line play is poor because they have the ability to utilize their short passing game to move the ball. However, there’s no doubt that the Rebel offense is much more effective when they can be balanced. Establishing the run game early and often is key.
For the Yellow Jackets, it’s about execution. Their offensive lineman have to move a lot and get out in front of their running backs on outside runs. On the inside runs, they have make sure to leave running lanes opens for all options. It’s a tough concept to block for, but when it is executed properly, it’s almost impossible to defend.
However, if Georgia Tech struggles blocking the front seven of Ole Miss that is undoubtedly going to stack the box, they are in trouble due to an inept passing attack
Ole Miss also has the advantage in the sack department. The Rebels are giving up a sack on every 18.16 drop backs, while the Yellow Jackets are allowing a sack every 15.5 drop backs.
Tomorrow, David Collier will break down the defensive line for Ole Miss and Georgia Tech.
In Case You Missed It
Music City Breakdown: Quarterbacks
Music City Breakdown: Running Backs
Music City Breakdown: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss football, follow @DavidLCollier, @SigNewton_2 and @thedm_sports on Twitter.
— By David Collier
thedmsports@gmail.com
