The nation's second-ranked team will put its undefeated record on the line this weekend as the Alabama Crimson Tide plays host to the Ole Miss Rebels in an SEC contest.
Ole Miss has been idle since October 4th when it dropped a 31-24 decision to South Carolina. That loss came just one week after the Rebels shocked Florida in Gainesville by a 31-30 final. Under the guidance of first-year coach Houston Nutt, Ole Miss is 3-3 overall and 1-2 in conference.
As for Alabama, it is already eligible for a bowl game at 6-0, but Nick Saban's troops have their eyes fixed on a trip to the national championship game. They have been idle since a closer-than-expected 17-14 win over Kentucky on October 4th. Prior to that tilt, the Tide scored at least 41 points in three straight outings, and the win versus Kentucky was the first this season that came by single digits.
Alabama holds a commanding 44-9-2 series lead over Ole Miss, including four straight victories over the Rebels. The last three games in the series have been decided in the final minute.
Ole Miss is averaging 29.2 ppg this season to go along with 382.2 total ypg. The passing attack is posting a stellar average of 15.1 yards per pass completion, but it should also be pointed out that the Rebels have 10 interceptions with nine passing scores. The ground game is churning out 4.6 yards per rushing attempt, another impressive average. Jevan Snead, a Texas transfer, has taken almost every snap for the Rebels this season, and he has completed 55.2 percent of his passes for 1,272 yards and nine touchdowns with nine interceptions. Keep an eye on Shay Hodge, as he is averaging 21.9 yards per reception and has scored four times on only 17 grabs. Brandon Bolden is a talented tailback who has made the most of his 55 carries, rushing for 297 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
In the loss to South Carolina last time out, Ole Miss was able to post 361 total yards and score three offensive touchdowns, but three turnovers played a major role in the setback. Snead completed 21-of-32 passes for 243 yards with one score and one interception. "It's a huge letdown,"
said a disappointed Snead. "We can't let stuff like this happen."
Opponents are scoring 24.7 ppg while gaining 341.5 total ypg against Ole Miss this season. The Rebels have been tough against the run, limiting foes to 3.0 ypc. Unfortunately, the pass defense has struggled at times, permitting nine touchdowns while registering only three interceptions. Jamarca Sanford has been the most active defender for Ole Miss, as he has registered a team-high 56 total tackles, including a pair of forced fumbles. Ted Laurent has posted seven TFLs in six outings.
The Rebels held South Carolina to 78 rushing yards on 35 attempts last time out, but they permitted the Gamecocks to rack up 327 yards and three touchdowns through the air. "I didn't think they would go up and down the field on us like that,"
said coach Nutt after the contest. "It was surprising. They made some big plays."
"We're certainly happy to win, but we also put on a clinic today on how to keep the other team in the game,"
said coach Saban after the narrow win over Kentucky two weeks ago. The Tide committed three turnovers in the clash, including a pair of fumbles, overshadowing the fact that 388 total yards were gained. Glen Coffee exploded for a 78-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and that marked the only time the offense would get into the end zone all day. Coffee finished with 218 yards on the ground, while John Parker Wilson completed a mere 7-of-17 passes for 106 yards.
Alabama is averaging 33.7 ppg this season to go along with 378.7 total ypg. Of the 20 offensive touchdowns scored by the Tide, 14 have come on the ground. Also, the club is generating 226.3 rushing ypg and 5.3 ypc. Coffee has 708 rushing yards and five scores on the ground, while Wilson has thrown six touchdowns against only two interceptions. Keep an eye on freshman wideout Julio Jones, as he has already scored four times and is as talented as any player nationally at the position outside of Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree.
"We played hard, but we could have turned out a better performance,"
said defensive standout Rolando McClain of the performance of his unit against Kentucky. The Tide allowed a pair of touchdowns, including one in the final minute of the fourth quarter. Kentucky finished the day with 276 total yards, 158 of which came on the two touchdown drives. Alabama permitted a mere 35 rushing yards on 20 attempts and allowed fewer than half of the passes they faced to be completed.
Opponents are only generating 13.2 ppg against Alabama, which is holding foes to 262.2 total ypg. The run defense has been stellar, permitting a mere 50.8 ypg and 2.3 ypc. With only 10 sacks and 12 takeaways, there has not been an abundance of big plays made, but the overall effort of the defense has been stellar. McClain leads the club with 44 total tackles.
