Know Your Enemy: Keys to the Ole Miss Rebels

Week 3 of the Texas football season has arrived, and with it comes a date in Oxford, Mississippi against the 2-0 Rebels of Ole Miss, It’s the first real test of the season for the 2-0 Longhorns, who have cruised so far against Wyoming and New Mexico. While the Rebels aren’t exactly an SEC stud like Alabama or Texas A&M (sorry, I just couldn’t help myself from making the joke), the Rebels possess an offense that could cause some problems for a Texas defense still trying to right itself as a whole.

In spite of the fact that the two teams haven’t crossed paths on the field since the 1966 Bluebonnet Bowl (a 19-0 victory for UT), there are some more recent events connecting them. After all, it wasn’t too long ago that quarterback Jevon Snead left the Forty Acres to play for Mississippi (a good idea), then opting to leave early for the NFL Draft (an awful idea).

That said, what matters is the here and now, and we’re ready to let out a Rebel yell filled with facts about the team we hope is Texas’ next victim. So, get ready to impress your fellow burnt orange friends by knowing more about Ole Miss than the fact Eli Manning played there. It’s time to “Know Your Enemy.”

Bo knows

Texas football fans’ ears may perk up when they hear the name Bo Wallace. He is the 6-5, 210 pound sophomore transfer QB from East Mississippi CC who was on Texas offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin’s radar in the off-season before Texas decided to dance with the ones who brought them. So far, it’s been [s2If current_user_is(s2member_level1)] easy to see why Harsin liked him so much, as he set the school record for total offense (386 yards) in his debut. In his first two games as a Rebel, he completed 36 of 45 passes for 438 yards and 5 TD’s while rushing for an additional 135 yards.

Given his age, Wallace is a relatively complete and incredibly accurate QB, and was the first freshman to win the NJCAA Player of the Year award since 2004 (throwing for 4,810 yards and 52 touchdowns). Now, we know that standing out in the NJCAA or UTEP isn’t quite the same as playing the Texas defense, but the Wallace versus David Ash comparison is one of the most tasty stories to focus on this week.

Donte’s inferno

Wallace’s go-to receiver so far is 6-3, 215 pound sophomore Donte Moncrief, who already has 11 catches for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns this season. The numbers stand out, especially if you consider that Mississippi head coach has stated that the team hasn’t targeted Moncrief nearly as much as they would like. Moncrief also has game changing potential, he set the Ole Miss freshman record for receptions last season.

Great Scott

Preseason All-SEC first team running back Jeff Scott bounced back from a back injury last week against UTEP to rush for 111 yards on only 12 carries. The 5-7, 170 pound back has the speed to break off a big run and also shines as a kick and punt returner, should the Rebels decide he’s healthy enough to play him in all disciplines.

Balancing act

The Rebels currently lead the SEC in total offense, which we’re guessing will change once they get into the heart of their conference schedule. They are averaging 551.5 yards per game, with 278 yards through the air and 283.5 on the ground. It’s hard to get much more balanced than that and the Rebel offense is the most dangerous the Longhorns have seen this year. Granted, that’s not saying much when you consider UT has faced Wyoming and New Mexico, but the Horns would be wise not to sleep on Wallace and company in the Grove.

Isn’t that special?

Texas’ top-ranked punting unit and advantage in overall team speed could play a big factor, and the Longhorns have a great chance to exploit Mississippi’s special teams unit, which has been downright abysmal so far. The Rebels fumbled two punts last week against UTEP and Bryan Rose, their senior kicker, is 0-for-4 so far in his field goal attempts in 2012. Texas could break the game open with it’s special teams play.

A real team effort

The Rebels have already played 29 athletes on defense with impressive results. The Ole Miss D currently ranks 2nd nationally in sacks (9 total overall) and have only surrendered 68.5 yards rushing per game. Again, we would give caution before thinking they’ll hold down the three-headed running attack of Texas, but a defense that is filled with fresh legs and committed to stopping the run isn’t exactly what Texas loves to face. It will be up to David Ash and the Texas receivers (including Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron out of the backfield on screen passes) to soften up the Rebel defense so they don’t just stack the line.

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