The Daily Helmsmen editor Chip Williams and The Daily Mississippian sports editor Brian Scott Rippee answer the tough questions about Saturday’s game.
1. This seems to be a popular question, but this new-look Memphis team seemingly hasn’t missed a beat. Are the Tigers as good as last year?
CW- The 2015 Memphis Tigers were arguably the best team in school history, so is this team as good as the best team in school history? Probably not, but they’re close. The defense is significantly improved from what it was a season ago, especially in the secondary, and the offense has a stable of weapons they can get the ball to. The biggest question heading into the season was how would Memphis replace Paxton Lynch, and while it’s never easy replacing a first round NFL Draft pick at quarterback, Riley Ferguson has done as good of a job as anyone could have realistically expected. Something that still remains to be seen is what kind of hit did Memphis take in losing Justin Fuente. So far, Mike Norvell has been terrific. He’s recruiting at an unprecedented level, and he’s blown out his first three opponents. But Memphis also hasn’t faced anyone close to the caliber of Ole Miss. We’ll find out this week where Norvell is as a game planner. Memphis lost, for my money, one of the 20 best coaches in the country when it comes to on-field coaching and game planning.
2. What’s your impression of Riley Ferguson so far?
CW- Riley Ferguson has been really good so far. Norvell runs a spread offense like Fuente did, but they’re different in their style and execution. You’ll see Ferguson swing the ball to running backs coming out of the backfield or quick passes to wide receivers in what Norvell calls ‘extended handoffs.’ Ferguson hasn’t pushed the ball down the field as much as Fuente let Lynch, but that’s not to say he’s not capable of doing it – he just hasn’t had to yet. Ferguson is averaging just over 30 pass attempts per game, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him throw 40 or more times against Ole Miss, depending on how successful the running game is early on.
3. What’s a matchup on offense that Memphis could exploit and what is one that concerns you?
CW- Something I think Memphis needs to try to exploit is Ole Miss’ run defense. The Rebels are giving up nearly 240 yards per game on the ground on over 5 yards per carry, and if Memphis can have success running between the tackles or off tackle, it completely unlocks this offense and allows them to do whatever they want. Along those same lines, though, Memphis’ offensive line has struggled at times this season run blocking. Ole Miss always has good defensive linemen, and if they can prevent the Tigers from getting anything going on the ground, Memphis’ offense will become completely one-dimensional.
4. What’s a matchup defensively that Memphis has an advantage in and what is one that concerns you?
CW- Memphis’ secondary has been incredible this season. The Tigers are second in the nation in yards allowed per pass attempt, giving up just 4.4 yards per attempt, and opposing quarterbacks have thrown one touchdown and seven interceptions this season, which is the second most interceptions by a team that has only played three games. Chad Kelly is a really good quarterback, but I think the Tigers are well equipped to deal with a very talented Ole Miss passing attack. On the flip side, Ole Miss has struggled to run the ball this season, but I think there’s a chance they could have some success against Memphis. The Tigers aren’t very big upfront, and at times they’ve been susceptible to giving up a big run.
5. Memphis seems to have a pretty experienced and deep receiving corps. Who are some guys to be on the look out for?
CW- This is as deep and talented Memphis has ever been at both wide receiver and running back that I can ever remember. The first name you need to know is Anthony Miller. That kid is a stud. Last year against Ole Miss he had 10 catches for 132 yards and a touchdown, and in three games this season he’s already got 17 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns. He’s always a threat to turn a 5-yard catch into a 50-yard gain. Then there’s Phil Mayhue. He’s a bigger receiver– listed 6-3, 210– and he’s always a jump-ball threat. Sam Craft is a player who will line up anywhere from the slot to the backfield. Expect him to take some handoffs as well as catch passes.
Prediction: Ole Miss 38, Memphis 24.
1. Ole Miss lost several high-profile players to the NFL last season. Is Hugh Freeze at the point where he just reloads, or is this viewed as somewhat of a rebuilding year?
BR- I think a little of both. Freeze reeled in the best recruiting class in school history last February, and a lot of them are playing immediately, especially on the defensive side of the football in the secondary. It’s been a learning process and they’ve had some tough tests. I can’t call this a rebuilding year because this team had and still has championship aspirations as well as the best quarterback in the SEC. It’s more of a reload.
2. The Rebels have already lost two games this season to a couple of very good teams. They held first-half leads in both of those games. Why haven’t they been able to finish off the job?
BR- They’ve managed the last few minutes of the first half and the first few minutes of the second half horribly in the two losses. That, coupled with the fact that the offense scores so quickly, leaves a young defense on the field a lot. I thought a key moment for this team was last week, when it tacked on another touchdown in the last two minutes of the first half against Georgia to go up 31-0. It didn’t leave the door open that time.
3. Do Ole Miss fans view this matchup as a rivalry? Why or why not?
BR- I think it depends on whom you ask. I’ve watched Memphis beat Ole Miss twice in my life and have more respect for their program than some might. The fact that they don’t play every year hinders it from being a true rivalry. But I still think it is to an extent, as it is Ole Miss’ most frequently scheduled opponent that isn’t in the SEC.
4. What’s a match up that Ole Miss could exploit and what is one that concerns you?
BR- I feel like I say this every week, but it is the receivers. That’s what makes this Ole Miss offense go. Their ability to win one-on-ones makes it easier on Kelly, and it’s why Ole Miss is so explosive. One that concerns me would be on the flip side of things: Memphis’ veteran receiving corps will provide another test for a young Ole Miss secondary that is still learning as they go. Riley Ferguson can sling it, and I think that will keep Memphis in the game.
Prediction:
I think the Tigers hang around for a half, but at the end of the day their defense succumbs to Kelly and the Ole Miss offense. Rebels win 38-17.