Ole Miss Football 3 keys: Austin Peay

Ole Miss three keys

The Ole Miss Rebels are going through a complicated time, but not necessarily a period in which they are likely to lose.

By Matt Zemek

Ole Miss is in a situation where forming cohesion and developing chemistry for the upcoming SEC schedule are the big priorities. The Rebels need to get on the same page with each other and create a rhythm they can trust for the rest of the season. The three game keys will dig into this.

1 – Rest and recuperation

Ole Miss is simply not going to be able to approach this game the way it will approach most of its games this season. It’s always a physically and mentally tough challenge for a team to play a season opener on a Monday night, as Ole Miss did, and then play the next game on Saturday, with just four days off. Players threw a lot of energy into the win over Louisville. Coming back just five days later for another live game is a physical gauntlet young college players should not be expected to endure, but Ole Miss scheduled a game this week instead of giving its players a week off. It is what it is.

The Rebels need to give their starters ample rest in this game and go heavy on backups to keep players fresh for the more important games which lie ahead. Obviously, Ole Miss scheduled an easy opponent, but it remains that the Rebels can’t physically overextend themselves now. This team could suffer later in September, which would be a total waste and make this season much less than what it could be. Ole Miss can’t go after this game with its best players. The Rebels need to manage their reserves and be very conscious of that.

2 – Get out quickly

This is not about the quarterback making his dropback quickly, before the Austin Peay defensive line arrives. This is about playing a game so as to minimize snaps and make the game go as quickly as possible. Ole Miss does not need a long, drawn-out game here. This should be one of the most run-heavy games of the year for the Rebels. They need to deemphasize tempo and milk the play clock more. It’s a game where Ole Miss needs to get a fat lead early and then make the clock run as continuously as possible. The Rebels need to be aware of the need to reduce stress and strain here, given their short turnaround.

3 – Defensive adjustments

Louisville wasn’t threatening to Ole Miss in general, but the Cardinals did show some brief signs in the third quarter of being able to move the ball more effectively against the Rebels’ defense. Louisville had a bad initial game plan but then made better adjustments at times. The Rebels need to self-scout and be aware of where – and how – they are vulnerable. This defense should not be viewed as a good defense until it handles an elite offense. Complacency is not an option on this side of the ball.

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