Head Coach Hugh Freeze leads the Rebels onto the field. FILE PHOTO: CAMERON BROOKS
After two dominating victories against smaller opponents, the Rebels now face possibly their greatest test of the year in just the third week of the season against the second ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa.
“We get to open up SEC play in a great environment against one of the best programs in the nation. It should be a good test for us, one that our kids will be very excited for,” Hugh Freeze said. “We have an opportunity to compete at a very high level and play our best football. That”s why you want to coach in this league and play in this league, so, we are excited.”
The Alabama offense is led by junior running back Derrick Henry, who has run for 243 yards and a team-leading six touchdowns in his first two games. Freeze also mentioned senior running back Kenyan Drake, junior tight end O.J. Howard and sophomore wide receiver ArDarius Stewart as playmakers who could play a big part in the game for the Tide.
“Alabama has a good scheme. They have a good offensive line and they are well coached. Derrick Henry is very talented,” Freeze said. “Alabama has a bunch of playmakers who make them what they are.”
“It gives them some explosive runs, but it’s not just Henry,” Freeze continued. “You certainly have to tackle him low. He is big, and he is physical. You also have to be aware of best online casino where all of their other weapons are.”
Freeze had even more praise for the Alabama defense, which is led by stars like senior linebacker Reggie Ragland and junior linebacker Reuben Foster. The Alabama defense has only allowed 27 total points in its first two games.
“They are as talented as I have ever seen. They are as deep and talented as you can imagine,” Freeze said of Alabama’s defense. “They have had some really good defensive squads, and this is as talented as I have ever seen one.”
Freeze also addressed some of the questions on his team like the health status for junior offensive lineman Robert Conyers and the targeting suspension for junior cornerback Tee Shepard.
“Robert Conyers is going to be okay. He just has a sprain that we will have to treat this week,” Freeze said. “He”ll give it a go on Saturday for sure.”
“I talked to the SEC offices this morning. The targeting call is as stands,” Freeze continued. “Tee Shepard will have to sit out and be in the locker room for the first half of the Alabama game. He can play the second half.”
Freeze also had some praise for the newly declared starter at quarterback, Chad Kelly, on and off the field.
“Chad studies more film than I do,” Freeze said. “I think that is obvious in the way that he has performed,” Freeze said. “I had one of my three or four meetings with him per week, last week, and he used a phrase that I believe he found in an article that has really stuck with me. Chad said, ‘Coach, I desperately want you to coach me.’ I think that speaks to his mindset right now. He doesn”t just want to be coached in the X”s and O”s, but I think he is trying to rewrite his story in a really good way.”
