Alabama Football: The Five Best Teams the Tide Will Play

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Sep 13, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; A Mississippi Rebels helmet rest on the field during the game between the Mississippi Rebels and the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The Rebels won 56-15. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /

Ole Miss, September 17, Oxford

Hugh Freeze has recruited well the past several years, and everyone knows by now that his motto is “buy now.” The Black Bears have gone green, but it’s not the kind of green going that can clean up the environment in Oxford. Quite the opposite. Looming over the Rebels are potential NCAA sanctions that could cripple the program for years, but not before they get one last shot at bought-and-paid-for glory.

Despite the Rebel’s talent, the problem is that their recruiting classes, “buy” and large, have been top-heavy. The Rebels have 20 or so players who are every bit as good as the top end in Tuscaloosa or Baton Rouge, but there’s a significant drop off beyond that.

Road games in the SEC are almost never easy, and with the spectacular play of QB Chad Kelly, a talented wide receiver corps, and a disruptive defensive line, Ole Miss has a fighting chance. But barring a repeat of last season’s five-turnover performance, the Tide is too talented to lose this one.

Prediction: Alabama 27, Ole Miss 20

Next: The Vols in Knoxville

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