Mississippi defensive back Mike Hilton (28) celebrates just after winning an NCAA college football game against Alabama in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014. Ole Miss won 23-17, which was the first victory against Alabama since 2003. (DM Photo | Cady Herring)
As the college football season inches closer, Ole Miss is eight days away from their season opener against UT-Martin. It has been an offseason full of optimism as well as uncertainty for the Rebels.
From the quarterback position to the linebackers, the Rebels have a number of question marks that will soon be answered or exposed over the course of the 2015 season. Looking at the big picture raises the question: What is the best and worst case scenario for this season?
The worst case scenario would be finishing at the 6-6 mark. That may seem unlikely for a team that returns the bulk of their talent from 2014, but it’s possible and could stem from a number of different issues. Inconsistent quarterback play, a thin offensive line and a grueling schedule could leave the Rebels wondering what could have been at the end of the season.
Though it is an open competition, junior Chad Kelly appears to have the edge over redshirt sophomores Devante Kincade and Ryan Buchanan to win the quarterback spot.
Much like the entire Ole Miss team for 2015, Kelly has a tremendous upside, but at the same time could also struggle. He is a mobile quarterback with good arm strength and is accurate enough to win games—but also a loose cannon. Kelly’s troubled past leaves a fair amount of uncertainty as to whether his mental game is up to the standard needed for success in the Southeastern Conference. Kelly’s playmaking ability is there, but whether he or any of the three quarterbacks can take control and lead the offense remains to be seen.
The offensive line is another concern that could cause the Rebels to struggle. Ole Miss allowed 31 sacks in 2014, which ranked 12th in the conference. The line is more experienced this year, but depth remains an issue. Juniors Robert Conyers and Laremy Tunsil are coming off injuries from the end of last season and need to stay healthy for the Rebels to be a contender in 2015.
With those two potential issues looming on the offensive side of the ball, a rigorous schedule won’t help the Rebels either. Ole Miss has road games at Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Mississippi State this year. Each of those teams with the exception of Florida were ranked in the top five last season. Home games against LSU, Arkansas and Texas A&M are not guaranteed wins either.
When you run down the Rebels schedule it only makes having consistent quarterback play and a healthy and solid offensive line even more essential.
While there are high expectations for 2015, there is also the possibility that the Rebels will struggle.
With that being said, let’s look at the best case scenario for Ole Miss.
Chad Kelly could very well end up being just what the doctor ordered for Ole Miss at quarterback. Kelly, who voiced his strong desire to rewrite his story in a positive manner, could provide a spark for the Ole Miss offense with his mobility, accuracy and ability to extend plays. He also has a stable of receivers to throw to.
Kelly is saying all of the right things and could take the reigns and become the offensive leader for whom Hugh Freeze is looking.
The defense will also be stellar this year.
Barring injury, Ole Miss will take the field every game this year boasting the best defense on the field. Yes—even the game in Tuscaloosa.
Ole Miss returns the majority of what was the best scoring defense in college football in 2014 and will come back more experienced in 2015. If senior C.J. Johnson can make a smooth transition to middle linebacker and anchor what is considered to be the weakest link of the Ole Miss defense, the Rebels will be hard to score on this year. Getting senior defensive Chief Brown back in the secondary won’t hurt, either.
Most of the pieces of this puzzle are in place. If Ole Miss can solidify a quarterback and stay healthy, the sky is the limit for this team. It is entirely possible that the Rebels could finish 11-1 and find themselves in Atlanta playing for the SEC championship in December.
