Ole Miss at the midpoint
Breaking down the Ole Miss Rebels at the midpoint in the season:
Offense: The Rebels have eclipsed 50 points scored and 600 yards gained three times this season, both program records, and rank fifth nationally with a 46.7-point scoring average. A lot of the credit goes to Chad Kelly, one of the SEC’s top quarterbacks, and a series of talented receivers. The offensive line and running game, however, are question marks. Grade: A.
Defense: This isn’t last season’s defense, which ranked No. 1 nationally in scoring average at 16 points per game. The Rebels are No. 31 in the category at 19.7 this year, so they haven’t dropped off much. They’ve been hurt badly by allowing an average of 30.3 points to power five competition (Alabama, Florida and Vanderbilt), much higher than the 19.7 of last year. Grade: B.
Most pleasant surprise: Damore’ea Stringfellow, wide receiver: Stringfellow sat out last season after transferring from Washington, but the sophomore has become a solid option for the Rebels. His 197 receiving yards rank fifth on the team, though he missed last Saturday’s game against New Mexico State due to injury. He made several big catches in the Rebels’ 27-16 win against Vanderbilt, including their first touchdown.
Most improved player: Trae Elston, safety: Elston only had one interception last season but pushed himself to be better after missing one against TCU. He’s got four this season, including one apiece in the team’s first three games, and has returned two for touchdowns. His 156 yards on interception returns ranks second nationally, six yards behind North Illinois’ Shawun Lurry, who has two more interceptions. Elston’s work also put him on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Midseason MVP: Chad Kelly, quarterback: Does this one really need to be explained? He leads the SEC in passing yards (1,862), yards per completion (15.4), total offense (331.1 yards per game) and touchdown passes (14). Kelly’s right arm has also allowed the team to attempt more deep passes, something Bo Wallace wasn’t as strong at. Kelly has also been a strong leader, taking blame for any poor performance by the offense.
What Ole Miss needs to do to improve: Get healthy: Rebels have been hit hard by injuries, especially on the offensive line. Right guard Justin Bell and center Robert Conyers missed last Saturday’s game against New Mexico State, while left guard Javon Patterson and offensive guard Rod Taylor have battled injuries. The secondary has also been hit hard with the loss of safety Tony Conner, a projected first- or second-round draft pick next year who underwent right knee surgery but could return as soon as next week.
Biggest game left on the schedule that isn’t the Egg Bowl: LSU, Nov. 21: The Rebels have three important games remaining, including one at home against Texas A&M and the Egg Bowl, which is at Mississippi State this season. However, LSU is likely the most important because a win there could wrap up an SEC West division title, assuming the Rebels beat Texas A&M. The Rebels lost last season 10-7 but get to play host to LSU this year.
Expectations for second half: The Rebels finished the first half 5-1, a record most people expected, but the second half will be much tougher. They have home games against LSU and Texas A&M, both top-10 teams, as well as the always-dangerous Egg Bowl. Two losses in those three games could knock them out of SEC West contention and out of the College Football Playoff picture.