Week 9 - Rebs are Rolling

Nothing new over here. Just another winning week for the Pick 5 (seven in a row). The Rebels win on the road and get to come back for a two game home stretch. We’ll talk a bit about the Auburn win, how to use Vanderbilt as an opportunity, and then of course, we’ll deliver more winners. Let’s go.

Last week, the thought was that we were the better team and should win, but we were cautiously confident for the sole reason that weird things happen at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Well, check, check, and check. We were the better team, we won, and weird things happened. On our first drive of the game, which started in Auburn territory, it took six 3rd down conversions and a 4th down conversion to get the ball in the end zone due to about a quarter mile in penalty yards. Jaxson Dart missed a wide open receiver that resulted in an interception, we bobbled the snap on a chip shot field goal, managing to throw an interception on the play, and we muffed a punt that we, luckily, managed to jump back on. All in the first half. All the weird things Auburn needed to happen were happening, but even amongst all the mistakes, it was clear that we were the better football team. Despite all the miscues and missed opportunities, we were still tied going into the half, and I felt better than I did before the game. It was apparent that Auburn was not going to be able to consistently move the ball on our defense for four quarters and that as soon as we cleaned up the mistakes, the offense was going to get going. That is more or less what happened. We scored a big momentum touchdown right before the end of the 3rd quarter, and once we went up by two touchdowns in the 4th, it was all over. This Auburn team is rebuilding, and they’re not very good right now. They can’t throw it down the field, and they run a two quarterback system where both quarterbacks are basically the same guy. With that being said, you can never take wins at Jordan-Hare for granted.

In the spirit of not taking things for granted, let’s take a second to appreciate Lane Kiffin. Look at where Arkansas, Mississippi State, and South Carolina are right now. Look at where Tennessee was for nearly two decades. Where Florida has been since Urban Meyer left. Auburn went through the Bryan Harsin era, we went through the Matt Luke era, and Texas A&M has never even seen a 10-win season under Jimbo Fisher with a $77.5M buyout. Finding the right coach is really hard, and holding on to him can be just as hard. Obviously, we know how things almost went down at the end of last year with Lane, but after avoiding a Tommy Tuberville situation, it feels like Lane has planted real roots in Oxford. With that in our rearview mirror, we now have a true sense of stability. Scratching his first year, the covid year, Lane is 24-9 at Ole Miss. We’re competitive in every game that we play, and attracting a quarterback has never seemed to be an issue. In today's college football stability is hard to come by, and while things can always change, I just want to take a second to say, I’m thankful for stability, and for Lane Kiffin.

Now, where does that leave us going forward? Remember earlier this year when we couldn’t run the ball to save our lives? We questioned Judkins, then the offensive line, and we ultimately threw our hands up and asked Jaxson Dart to go figure it out. Well, the running game has now found its footing, and those days seem to be over. Quinshon is running angry, Bently is complimenting him, and you can’t forget about Dart’s legs either! Now that we can finally run the ball again, Lane can go back to running the offense like he really wants to. Let the run game set everything up, and then BOOM! While Jordan Wilkins is sidelined for the time being, Harris, Franklin, and Prieskorn are just getting started! So you're telling me the running game is just getting going, AND we’re just now getting healthy at receiver? Uh-oh, it looks like all of a sudden we’re a pretty dangerous team. Looks like, all of a sudden, that adversity that we faced early in the season is starting to pay dividends. If you can find ways to win with a stalling running game and backup receivers, what are you capable of when everything starts to come together? It kind of reminds me of when golf legend Happy Gilmore learned how to putt… OH, and that defense ain’t too shabby either! How about some appreciation and love for our guy, Pete Golding! My good friend, Bracken, texted the points we’ve allowed this season, excluding the LSU game. It goes, 7, 20, 23, 24, 20, and 21. Hmmmm, not bad! And it doesn’t seem like a fluke, either! We’re getting after the quarterback, getting third and longs, and forcing turnovers. I don’t want to be accused of overreacting to an Auburn win, I’m just saying that things seem to be coming together at the right time of the season, and it’s exciting to see.

What about Vanderbilt? Is this a spot where we might get caught playing down to our competition? I don't think so. This goes back to my appreciation segment. I trust Lane Kiffin to have the boys prepared and ready to play. It’s that simple. We’re at home, and we’re going to put this thing out of reach. I’m not going to break down Vanderbilt’s team because, it's not about them. This weekend is like a couple's retreat, it's about working on us! Go through the film with a fine-tooth comb and button some things up. Let’s go beat Vanderbilt, and get ready for A&M.

SCORE PREDICTION:

Vanderbilt 17

Ole Miss 45

Let’s see those score predictions in the comments! We had some people come pretty close last week! Don’t forget to share the blog as well. Who isn’t reading THE REB that needs to be? Even if they’re in it just for the Pick 5. Who could really blame them? It’s going to be hard to keep these picks free for much longer, so you better grab 'em while you can. Without further ado, your bookies worst nightmare, the one and only Pick 5.

PICK 5 (23-8) (74.19%)

1.) Miami Ohio (+7.5) @ Ohio

I’m told this rivalry is called “The Battle of the Bricks.” The Redhawks have been solid all year, and in a rivalry game with a total of only 38.5, you’re going to give me over a touchdown? Please and thank you! In other news, the Redhawk field hockey team is on fire and gearing up for another MAC tournament championship run next weekend. Something to keep a close eye on.

2.) Duke @ Louisville (-4.5)

I’m not 100% sure of Riley Leonard's status. What I do know is that he wasn’t able to finish the game last week due to a high ankle sprain that seems to have been reaggravated, and I don’t think he’s ready again this week. Louisville has been good at home all year, and their ACC championship hopes are alive and well. I don’t think I get a full Leonard, and I’m taking the Cards to roll here.

3.) Tennessee (-3.5) @ Kentucky

Man, I really wanted the Vols to beat Alabama last weekend. They were on their way until everything started to slowly slip away. I know the feeling all too well. With that being said, I like the Vols to get off the mat and beat a struggling Kentucky offense this week at Kroger Field.

4.) Cincinnati @ Oklahoma St. (-7.5)

Oklahoma State has quietly had an incredible October! Three straight conference wins, and they come back home for the worst team in the conference. Let’s keep it going! I didn’t like Scott Satterfield when he was in year 3 at Louisville, why would I trust him in year 1 at Cincinnati on the road? There is a new energy around this team, and I’m riding with Mike Gundy and the Cowboys in Stillwater.

5.) Oregon (-6.5) @ Utah

I tried to leave this one alone, but I couldn’t help myself. Kyle Whittingham at home has proved to be an absolute monster. 18 straight home wins for the Utes! That’s insane! Unfortunately for the Utes, streaks were meant to be broken. The Ducks will have their backs against the wall for the rest of the year. They’ve got postseason plans, and I don’t think Utah is going to stand in the way this weekend. Give me the Ducks.

We'll see you next week, HOTTY TODDY AND GO REBELS!