No. 11 Ole Miss Rebels (4-0) vs. No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0)
Date: October 4, 2014
Time: 2:30 PM CDT
Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at Hollingsworth Field, Oxford, Mississippi
Local Weather at Kickoff: Sunny with a high of around 65.
Stadium Capacity: 60,580
Television Information: CBS
Broadcast Crew: Verne Lundquist as Play-by-Play announcer, Gary Danielson as color analyst, and Allie LaForce as sideline reporter.
Radio Info: Crimson Tide Sports Network. Eli Gold as Play-by-Play announcer, Phil Savage as color analyst, and Chris Stewart as sideline reporter.
Vegas Odds: (via Bovada) Alabama (-6)
Next up for Alabama: October 11 vs. Arkansas at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium
Game Notes
Last meeting between these two teams: 2013 (Alabama won 25-0). Alabama leads series 47-9-2, and has won their last ten meetings.
Previous Game Recap
The Crimson Tide
Alabama rolled over the Florida Gators two weeks ago by a final of 42-21 that was more lopsided than the score suggests. Despite four turnovers, Alabama was in control of the game throughout, putting up an incredible 645 yards in total offense, the most ever allowed by the Gators.
Quarterback Blake Sims was spectacular, unloading 449 passing yards on Florida and racking up 449 yards passing and setting a new Crimson Tide record for single-game yardage. His favorite target Amari Cooper continued to make his case for being the best player in the country, catching for 201 yards and three touchdowns.
Penalties and turnovers were a big problem that could have been much more damaging against a better team. Alabama will have to get both problems fixed; the Rebels will be in a much better position to capitalize on mistakes.
The Rebels
Speaking of deceptive scores, Ole Miss beat the Memphis Tigers last weekend, but had trouble putting them away. After a touchdown in the first quarter, the Rebels were scoreless until a field goal early in the fourth. Two more touchdowns sealed the deal.
Ole Miss enters this week with one of the best defenses of the country, and plans to test Lane Kiffin’s offensive gameplan early. The Rebel pass rush will attempt to pressure Blake Sims into mistakes, and put pressure on Amari Cooper to keep the ball from coming his way.
On offense, quarterback Bo Wallace can light up the scoreboard, if he can keep throwing the ball to the right team. His six interceptions haven’t gotten Ole Miss beat, but he can’t afford major mistakes against the Crimson Tide.
Key Injuries
Alabama
Blake Sims is probable despite a banged-up shoulder. DeAndrew White, Jarrick Williams and Tyren Jones are all questionable.
Ole Miss
Anthony Alford, Chief Brown, Matt Brown, Carlos Davis and Tee Shepard are out. Senquez Golson and Collins Moore are out.
Conclusion
Ole Miss fans hope the arrival of ESPN’s College Gameday in Oxford signals the arrival of the Rebels as an elite SEC West team. Alabama fans expect it to be another day at the office, albeit against a slightly higher level of competition.
Alabama must limit turnovers and penalties, and limit Bo Wallace’s passing yards, to get out of Mississippi with a win. Blake Sims needs to play within himself and not allow last week’s injury (and Ole Miss’ pressure) to put him behind in the count. Everyone in the stadium knows Sims will key on Amari Cooper, so the game plan must get everyone involved on offense.
Be sure to check back with Bama Hammer and The Houndztooth for all of your game day coverage.