After a 42-7 loss to No. 1 Georgia, No.
19 Ole Miss is back in a spot where there’s no margin left. The Rebels’ third defeat of the season took a serious bite out of their College Football Playoff hopes, and if they’re going to keep those hopes alive at all, they have to start by beating Oklahoma on Saturday.
That puts the spotlight squarely on a handful of players who can swing the game in either direction.
At the top of the list is quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, whose season has taken a sharp turn. For much of the year, he looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the country and even a Heisman favorite.
But the last few weeks have brought a steep drop-off, especially in the biggest moments against Texas and Georgia. Against the Bulldogs, he didn’t throw a touchdown for the first time since becoming Ole Miss’ starter.
If the Rebels are going to get the version of Chambliss they need, it has to show up now.
That challenge gets even tougher because Oklahoma has been stingy through the air. The Sooners lead the SEC in passing yards allowed per game at 170.7.
If the early-season version of Chambliss returns, Ole Miss can still make this work. If the recent version shows up again, the Rebels could be in trouble.
One player who has become increasingly important in helping Chambliss is wide receiver Horatio Fields. He’s emerged as the quarterback’s favorite target in recent weeks, and last Saturday he led Ole Miss receivers with eight catches for 96 yards.
Over the last four games, Fields has posted 19 receptions for 263 yards and four touchdowns, making him the most reliable pass catcher in the offense right now. Saturday figures to bring plenty more chances his way.
The Rebels may also need Shekai Mills-Knight to carry more of the load on the ground. With Kewan Lacy sidelined by a dislocated shoulder, Mills-Knight has taken over as the primary replacement and delivered in the last two games, rushing for 71 yards and a touchdown, then 52 yards and a touchdown. He was also responsible for Ole Miss’ only score against Georgia.
If Oklahoma slows down the passing game, Mills-Knight could become the outlet that keeps the offense moving. The Sooners are stronger against the pass than the run, though they’re still solid up front.
They rank seventh in the SEC against the run, allowing 122.7 rushing yards per game. Mills-Knight hasn’t had that breakout game yet.
Last week would have been the ideal time. Saturday is the next chance.
Ole Miss’ defense also needs a response after getting pushed around by Georgia, even if the bigger picture has still been positive, especially against unranked teams. Oklahoma comes in unranked and with the SEC’s worst rushing offense, averaging just 110.9 rushing yards per game.
That means the Sooners will need to throw efficiently, and Ole Miss’ best path to making life hard on them is pressure. Blake Purchase has been the Rebels’ top pass rusher, leading the team with 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. If he can get after Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, he could help shut down an offense that has struggled for much of the season.
Mateer’s top target has been Isaiah Sategna III, who leads Oklahoma with 49 catches and 625 receiving yards and has four touchdowns. He’s tied with tight end Rocky Beers for the team lead in receiving scores, and most of his work comes from the slot.
That creates a key matchup for Ole Miss nickel corner Nick Cull, who is expected to handle that role with Edwin Joseph Jr. out because of a leg injury. Cull has stepped in during Joseph’s absence and has two interceptions, tied for the most on the team. Against a receiver like Sategna, he’ll need one of his best performances yet.
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Budd Clark led the way with 23 points, while Santiago Trouet, Corey Stephenson and Ilias Kamardine all added 12 apiece in a performance that reflected the kind of cohesion Beard has been pushing since the start of the season. The bigger question now is whether this version of Ole Miss can keep building on that blend of toughness and depth when the schedule starts asking for more. [Read more 🡒]