As the regular season’s end approaches, so does the most heated stretch of the Rebels’ season. Ole Miss will face arch rivals LSU and Mississippi State in the final two games of their regular season.
Coach Hugh Freeze speaks on how the Rebels will prepare to take on LSU this Saturday. (Photo by: Ariel Cobbert)
“I was really pleased with the attitude and the way that everybody locked in. We started introducing them to this rivalry with LSU to make sure they understand what it means and the history of it,” Freeze said. “We will continue that throughout the week. This is an important game to a lot of people. We understand that. It needs to be important for sure to everyone that meets in this room in the afternoons.”
The strength of the LSU team is Heisman trophy candidate Leonard Fournette, who has rushed for 1,474 yards and 17 touchdowns on 214 attempts. Fournette and the entire LSU team have struggled the past two weeks, with Fournette getting fewer yards in those two games combined than any other game this season.
“You are playing against one of the best backs, probably, in the history of the SEC. It is a huge challenge,” Freeze said. “You have to gang tackle. You have to run to the football. He is one of the best players that will ever come through this conference.”
The Tigers’ offense likes to balance Fournette’s rushing with deep play action passes from sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris, who has thrown 11 touchdowns to only two interceptions for the year.
(Photo by: Ariel Cobbert)
“I think he is solid. He throws the deep ball extremely well,” Freeze said of the young quarterback. “He has tremendously athletic receivers to throw it to. It presents a challenge to manage stopping the running game and not giving up the explosive plays that he has the capabilities of making.”
LSU is known for having a strong defense, especially along the defensive line. The Rebels struggled last year with the Bayou Bengals’ defensive line in their 10-7 loss.
“Defensively, they are as athletic as anyone that you will face,” Freeze said. “They run. They are long. They have a good scheme, and they play hard. So, it will be a difficult challenge.”
With such an intense rivalry game coming up, Freeze said he plans to let the team’s emotions run. He said he is confident they will handle the intensity the right way.
“You do want them to understand the history and importance of games like this that you play in,” Freeze said. “It is one of the reasons why you come here, to play in these next two contests.”
