As Ole Miss gears up for a week 12 showdown, they're staring down the barrel of a defensive juggernaut in Oklahoma. The Sooners, boasting a top 10 defense from last season, have kept much of their core intact for 2026, setting the stage for a clash of titans.
John David Baker, the Rebels' new offensive coordinator, is set to test his mettle against this formidable front. With a plan to lean heavily on star running back Kewan Lacy, Baker's strategy will be tested against a defense that seems almost impenetrable. This matchup is shaping up to be the classic tale of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.
Oklahoma's defensive line is a force to be reckoned with, led by junior pass rusher Taylor Wein. Wein, despite recording just 39 tackles last season, made a significant impact with 15 tackles for loss. His knack for disrupting plays in the backfield is a testament to his explosive abilities.
On the opposite side, senior Adepoju Adebawore mirrors Wein's tenacity. Adebawore wrapped up last season with 17 tackles, 5.5 of which were for a loss, underscoring his capability to penetrate and disrupt. While both edges may not have extensive experience as every-down starters, their impact is undeniable.
In the heart of the line, Oklahoma boasts seasoned veterans David Stone and Jayden Jackson. Together, they amassed over 100 tackles and nearly 20 tackles for loss last season, forming an interior wall that could prove challenging for Lacy's ground game up the middle.
For the Rebels, this matchup represents one of their toughest challenges of the year. Baker will need to devise a game plan that can wear down this stout defensive line.
Running Lacy straight up the gut early might not yield much success, so exploiting the edges could be key. Options like speed plays, with Lacy or quarterback Trindad Chambliss attacking the perimeter, or utilizing wide receiver Deuce Alexander on jet sweeps, could stretch the Sooners' line horizontally.
Success on the outside could ultimately tire Oklahoma's defense, paving the way for Lacy to find those crucial gaps up the middle as the game progresses. It's about playing the long game-accepting that the Sooners' line will make plays, but finding ways to outlast and outmaneuver them.
The Rebels will need to stay patient and persistent, recognizing the moments when they can capitalize on a fatigued defense. It's a test of endurance and strategy against one of the nation's premier defenses.
In Other News...
Missouri's Top Back Just Drew A Label That Changes Everything
For Ole Miss, the running back conversation has already turned into one of the more intriguing storylines in the SEC calendar. Kewan Lacy enters 2026 as one of the headliners at the position after a strong 2025, and he is part of a small group of backs drawing national attention before the season even kicks off. Missouris Ahmad Hardy is right there with him, giving the Rebels a direct measuring stick against one of the other names at the top of the sport.
The matchup only gets more interesting because Hardys path has not been smooth. Missouri still expects him to be a major factor after transferring in from Louisiana-Monroe, but his spring injury situation has added at least a little uncertainty around the Tigers most important skill player. If both backs are on the field when Missouri and Ole Miss meet on Oct. 17, it will be more than just a conference game. It will be a chance to see whether Lacy can stake his claim in a conversation that already has Hardy sitting near the top. [Read more 🡒]
Lane Kiffin's LSU Ghost Mode Feels Like Something Bigger
Lane Kiffin has spent much of his career leaning into the noise, whether on the sideline or on social media, so his recent turn into what he calls "ghost" mode stands out. The Ole Miss coach has been unusually quiet online, a sharp contrast from the outspoken presence fans and opponents have come to expect, and the shift has only added to the intrigue around him as LSU season pressure starts to build.
Kiffin has tied the new approach to inspiration from Tim Grover, the performance coach associated with Michael Jordan, and to a mindset of keeping things hidden while the work gets done. He has posted just once in June, and the bigger question now is whether that restraint can last once the season intensifies and the spotlight comes back looking for the version of Kiffin that usually has plenty to say. [Read more 🡒]
Archie Manning Sends Important Signal About Pete Goldings Ole Miss Future
Pete Goldings first months in charge at Ole Miss have been anything but ordinary, and Archie Manning has noticed. After Lane Kiffins exit following the 2025 regular season, Golding was thrust into the head coaching job and had to guide the Rebels through a College Football Playoff run while also taking full control of the roster and the programs next step. The transition was messy by nature, but the early returns have given Ole Miss reason to believe the move can hold up beyond the short term.
Manning, who got to know Golding through the Arch Manning recruitment process at Alabama, came away with a favorable view of him and said he has been impressed by the way Golding handled such a difficult situation. For a program trying to steady itself after a major coaching change, that kind of public backing matters, especially from someone whose family has seen plenty of football in Oxford. It leaves Golding with one more sign of support as he continues shaping what comes next for the Rebels. [Read more 🡒]