14 in 14: Ole Miss
With the Lane Train gaining some momentum in 2020, the Rebels are setting a solid foundation for the future.
By: The Waco Kid
In 2020 the Mississippi Central Railroad commissioned a new train for operation. This train was one the likes of which had not been seen in Oxford since, well if we are being honest, the Hugh Freeze era. The Lane Train began its tour of duty last season, and let me tell you, Lane Kiffin made sure he was neither fired on the tarmac nor left behind by the team. No, this time Kiffin served as the true conductor of a high-powered locomotive, headed full steam across the South East in search of defensive units to flatten. This offensive mentality led to a decent season for the Rebels, who were able to finish with a 5-5 record. While we know this approach might not work the best in the SEC, just like an Oral Roberts shootout against Ohio State, the offense was able to beat even the best that the Big 10 had to offer. Which begs the question, Does the Big 10 hate winning? But that is a question for another time, today is all about the boys in those icy powder blues.
Now, I’m not going to remind you of our rating system because either you have been reading and know or you hate biscuits. Do you really want to be labeled as a biscuit hater? There’s a special place in hell for those who hate biscuits, right next to those who hate SEC football. The below is a visual reminder but that is all you get.
State of the Program is...on the rise; 7/12 biscuits
While the Rebels finished at an even .500, they look like a team that has taken the next step and is on the rise (yeast pun). The only better grade I could have given was 7/11 because the receivers are always open on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Since Kiffin arrived, the offense has captivated the college football world, scoring less than 30 points in only 3 contests. The combination of a Matt Corral air attack with the rush game of Jerrion Ealy has provided some shake and bake (another biscuit pun, self five) that the deep south has not experienced since the exit of Ricky Bobby and Cal Naughton Jr.
Ole Miss followed their decent season with an even better recruiting class. They ended up 17th in the nation, unfortunately, that correlates to 6th in the SEC but a top 20 class is more than the Rebs could have hoped for. They were able to lure top-commit Tywone Malone away from the likes of in-conference opponents Alabama and Texas A&M. Then they went into Starkville and marked their territory all over Mississippi State as they stole local 4-star QB Luke Altmyer. Not only have the boys in Oxford bought into the Kiffin plan, but it seems as though a nation full of rising stars sees potential in the program he is building.
Photo: Rogelio V. Solis, AP Photo
“This is our state. The entire thing.”
What went right in 2020
It’s obvious, isn’t it? Everything offense-related went right. The Rebs were an explosion in the sky that could be seen from hundreds of miles away on the calm emptiness of the southern horizon. A supernova, leading the doubtful back to Oxford for a can’t miss production. This offense averaged 39 points per game, 211 rushing yards per game, and 345 passing yards a game. Now those numbers are according to Ole Miss, so stats could be inflated, but regardless anything close to these numbers is astonishing given the laughing stock state the program was stuck in for the past few years.
The return of Corral and Ealy should give the Mississippi boys a good building block for the 2021 season. Expect some astronomical numbers from this offense and even higher numbers from opponents. The Rebels have the blueprint for success and if they can put together the right pieces (on defense), there is a chance they could shock the West.
What went wrong in 2020
Ole Miss had the worst defense in the SEC last year. It needs to get better for the Rebels to continue their rise. (Photo: The Clarion-Ledger)
Defense. Defense. Defense. This isn’t the Pac 12 or the SEC East. If there is one knock I have on Lane Kiffin it is his lack of defensive intellect. It is hard to say that because a guy that can put together such a dynamic offense based on the opponent's defensive game plans should be able to put together a decent defense. I know he played QB in high school and was recruited to Fresno State, but if I had to guess Kiffin also played some kind of safety or backer in the high school ranks. You do not understand the holes and inefficiencies of defenses as well as he does unless you have played those positions. So to not be able to put together a defense that can hold teams to under 30 points is kind of disappointing.
What the Rebels need in 2021
A defensive coordinator that does not hail from the embarrassment we know as the Big 10. Not only did they hire one from that abysmal conference, but there are two co-defensive coordinators both from the northern league that never impresses. Anyone would be better than the two halves of a defensive coordinator the Rebs have working for them now. The players aren’t the issue, Mississippi did what they needed to do in the offseason and signed a good amount of defensive talent to fill the voids. They just need someone to teach them that knuckle-down, gritty, nasty style of defense that the SEC, and no other conference, is known for. They need someone that you see and think to yourself, “Yeah that dude wouldn’t have a problem making children cry.” That is why the program needs to travel to Tennessee and scoop up John Chavis from the middle school he is currently employed at. He has the experience, the knowledge, and the toughness that SEC defenses used to emulate.
How they can earn some extra biscuits
First and foremost, send me some potato salad from The Shed in Ocean Springs. Best potato salad I have ever had and has ruined me for life. I would rather drive 7 hours than eat any of the crap they sell in grocery stores here. Second, play some damn defense, this isn’t the Big 12. While it is fun to see those high-scoring games it does not correlate to quality wins, just ask the Baylor teams of the 2010s. High-scoring offense with a nonexistent defense, and what happens, they lose to UCF in the biggest bowl game in their school’s history. If the Lane Train does not want to end abruptly, the Rebels need to figure out a way to incorporate that flashy offensive style with an SEC defense.
Did we get it right? Completely wrong? What’d we miss? Chip us on Twitter @biscuitsandsec, or fire one off at me @TheWacoKidBS.
Next up:
Vanderbilt