In the 2017 iteration of Ole Miss-LSU in Oxford, Dawson Knox was the only Ole Miss player to have more than 40 receiving yards. On Saturday night in Death Valley, the Ole Miss offense will, once again, have something to prove against another excellent LSU secondary.
“I respect each and every one of them,” wide receiver A.J. Brown said. “(There are) some great players we’re going to be matched up with this Saturday.”
A.J. Brown leaps for the ball while being blocked by two LSU defenders during Ole Miss’ 40-24 loss last season. File photo by Billy Schuerman
With the No. 10 passing offense in the nation, averaging 17.16 yards per completion, quarterback Jordan Ta’amu and the Nasty Wide Outs will face a worthy opponent in the LSU secondary. Cornerback Greedy Williams was No. 1 in USA Today’s preseason defensive back rankings, and he is joined in the secondary by former freshman All-American Grant Delpit and fifth-year senior John Battle.
The Ole Miss offense will have to take advantage of quick routes and accurate passes to avoid the tight windows and contested passes that lead to the turnovers LSU has feasted on this season.
“(To have success) I would say, for me, just making accurate throws, and for the receivers, just getting open fast,” Ta’amu said. “Just finding space and getting open.”
Brown also emphasized the importance of taking care of the ball and taking advantage of each possession.
“Ball security is huge. Whenever you turn the ball over, you’re not putting yourself in a good situation to win the ball game,” Brown said
Run-pass options are an integral part of the Ole Miss offense, and Ta’amu’s running ability and quick decision-making adds an extra dimension that helps open up space on the inside for running back Scottie Phillips and in the middle of the field for the wideouts. It will be key for him to make correct decisions and draw the back half of LSU’s defense upwards to take successful shots downfield.
“I’m pretty satisfied (with decisions in run-pass options),” Ta’amu said. “I know I’m smarter than some of the throws I’ve made, but like I said: I can fix it up and clean it up, and I’ll be better the next week.”
Head coach Matt Luke also expressed confidence in Ta’amu’s ability to run the offense and decide when the time is appropriate to try to make a play.
“I think every once in a while he’ll try to make a play downfield, but just given Scottie (Phillips’) yards per carry, I think that lends itself to ‘Hey, he’s making the right decisions and handing it off at the right time,’” Luke said.
Ta’amu came off the field stretching his shoulders a few times during the Kent State game, but Luke squashed any injury worries heading into the weekend.
“I think he’s sore. I mean just normal wear-and-tear stuff. I don’t think it’s anything serious, but I think probably, to a certain extent, everybody is a little bit banged-up and will continue to be that way,” Luke said.
Though the dimensions of a football field never change, an 8:15 p.m. kickoff in Death Valley provides one of the most challenging venues in college football for successfully communicating on the field. However, the Rebels have recognized the atmosphere as an opportunity and have prepared accordingly.
“It’s a good atmosphere. It’s a great college venue,” Luke said. “I think you have to embrace the environment and take advantage of it when you go and just use the crowd noise to your advantage, if you can.”
“It’s definitely the loudest (stadium),” Brown said. “Actually, it’s beautiful. I’m not even going to lie.”
