Hurricane Nick heads to Lane Train Station to offer a helping of humble pie
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
Two storms threaten Oxford, but one is sure make a direct hit: Hurricane Nick.
With one eye on the path of Hurricane Delta (reminds you a bit of Animal House, doesn’t it?) and the other on two prolific offenses, Saturday’s matchup between the Tide and Ole Miss Fighting Kiffin’s, which is wrought with storylines, promises to be entertaining, to say the least. Nick Saban finds himself against yet another assistant coach as the Lane Train rolls on towards career redemption. Saban and Kiffin were always an odd combination when they roamed the Bama sidelines together, yet it clearly worked as Lane’s three-year tenure included three playoff appearances, two national championship game appearances, and one national title...not too shabby. I think the hiring of Kiffin was a brilliant move by Ole Miss, and the Lane Train is destined for success in this conference for many years to come. However, tangible success in terms of wins and losses might have to wait until after Saturday’s tussle with the mighty Crimson Tide.
Ole Miss comes in with a record of 1-1 after a thrilling 42-41 overtime victory over Kentucky. Ole Miss’ offense has been as impressive as many thought it would be. Like him or not, Kiffin is a master of offense, an eleven on a dial that only goes up to ten (Spinal Tap, anyone?), and he has this group humming. Quarterback Matt Corral has run Kiffin’s up-tempo, read-option offense masterfully, and currently ranks second in the conference (behind Mississippi State’s K.J. Costello) in total offense. The sophomore gunslinger has thrown for 7 touchdowns against a single pick, leads an offense that averages 536 yards and 38 points per game, and has speedy receivers Elijah Moore (20 receptions through two games...not too shabby) and Jonathan Mingo. The offensive line is more than adequate, and the running game can keep the chains moving. The issue for Ole Miss is a porous defense that has yet to gel and has given up a combined 94 points in their first two games against Florida and Kentucky. To illustrate the struggles of this defense thus far, Ole Miss’ leading two tacklers are from their secondary...never a good sign. In addition, that secondary has only one interception and the front seven has produced just three sacks thus far this season.
Photo: Justin Ford, USA TODAY Sports
The Ole Miss defense is dumbfounded after giving up 94 points in two games. Mac “Daddy” Jones plans to hang 94 in an afternoon.
Bama’s offense is flying high as well. Behind the able leadership of quarterback Mac “Daddy” Jones, two first-round draft picks in the receiving corps and a third that will be in a similar position next year, a capable and talented tight end, an experienced offensive line that has started to create large holes for the typical stable of running backs in the backfield...and yes, Bama has a capable kicker as well. In short, it looks like the Lane Kiffin offense that he brought to Tuscaloosa in 2014...thanks, Lane! The defense looks better than they ever looked last year, and if they cut down on communication errors and missed tackles that have cost them points in the first two weeks, this Crimson Tide defensive unit should hold their own.
This game will be a great test for the Alabama defense, as the contest will give us an idea of how much progress the unit has made under defensive coordinator Pete Golding. Ole Miss will score more points than Tide fans will be comfortable with (quick side note...the lunacy in Tuscaloosa is now to the point where Tide fans have a fit if an opponent gets a first down, let alone an actual field goal or heaven forbid, a touchdown...the travesty of it all), but the Tide offense will counter and, eventually, pull away from the Fighting Kiffs to bring home their third victory of the year. In a high scoring affair, Bama proves to be too much for Ole Miss and Saban emerges a perfect 21-0 against former assistants.
Alabama 56
Mississippi 27