Looking Forward to the 2015 FB Season

Previewing the 2015-16 Season

Spring News

This spring, Ole Miss has piled up the injuries. From what I've heard, the offensive line number is getting to the point where Ole Miss may not have enough players to split up teams in a scrimmage. Notable injuries at that position include Laremy Tunsil, Aaron Morris, and Robert Conyers. Injuries are never a good thing, but maybe it helps to have the veterans sit out while the youngsters get reps and show what they're made of. We'll have to see. Other notable injuries: Markell Pack(unkown injury and status), Jordan Wilkins(Sprained MCL, day-to-day), Mike Hilton(Broken thumb, out for spring), and Laquon Treadwell(80% healthy, according to Coach Freeze). Also, this spring has consisted of a 3-way QB competition: Redshirt Sophomore Devante Kincade, Redshirt Sophomore Ryan Buchanan, and Junior Chad Kelly. Chad Kelly, in many people's eyes, is the favorite right now, but Coach Hugh Freeze says that the competition will go into fall and that there is no leader at the moment.

 

 

FB Schedule

Ole Miss vs. UT Martin 9/5, Ole Miss vs. Fresno State 9/12

Ole Miss starts out with two fairly easy home games. These are two games that the Rebels should win convincingly, and if not, there's possibly a problem. Neither of these teams seem to be a threat to an SEC-caliber team, much less one of the better teams like Ole Miss.

 

Ole Miss at Alabama 9/19

Ole Miss' first SEC game is most likely the toughest challenge of the year. To be completely honest, I do not think the Rebels will come up on top in this one. I do not think it will be a blowout, but in my opinion, the chances of winning at Alabama for ANY team are slim to none. Although I think Ole Miss has the talent to pull it off, I think Bryant-Denny Stadium will be looking for revenge of the Rebels.

 

Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt 9/26

Ole Miss' second SEC game looks as if it will be the most winnable and/or easiest SEC game of the year. With Vanderbilt not looking to make any major improvements, Ole Miss should simply blow them out. Ole Miss beat Vanderbilt by 38 points in 2014, and that game was in Nashville. Be looking for a convincing win in this one.

 

Ole Miss at Florida 10/3

Ole Miss at Florida could be a very good game. Ole Miss will most likely be the favorite(depending on their start to the season), but losing at the Swamp would not be surprising. Almost all of us remember the last meeting between these two teams in the Swamp, Ole Miss defeated the eventual National Champion Gators 31-30. What a game that was. Seemed like yesterday when Ole Miss' Greg Hardy was on the front cover of Sports Illustrated sacking Tim Tebow. But we are in a new age. In my opinion, Ole Miss captures the big win and moves on to 4-1.

 

Ole Miss vs. New Mexico State 10/10

Ole Miss has another fairly easy home game here. This game should be another non-conference blowout, but we all remember Jacksonville State back in 2010. Although this is a significantly better team, it can happen. Despite all of that, this is a win in my opinion.

 

Ole Miss at Memphis 10/17

Ole Miss should capture this quick road trip up to Memphis. This is a scary game, for Memphis finished the 2014 ranked 25. They are a dangerous team, and in my opinion, this is a game that you should win. They do not play any teams with the caliber of Ole Miss, so they will hype this game up and will be ready. Win in my opinion, though.

 

Ole Miss vs. Texas A&M 10/24

This game can be a game where Ole Miss receives a big, fat loss on the schedule. After last years blowout win at Kyle Field, the Rebels can overlook this home game. Ole Miss vs. Texas A&M at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium has been all Aggies, but they had Johnny Football then. My point is that it can happen. DESPITE ALL OF THAT, I think the Rebels capture a huge win, and they move to 7-1.

 

Ole Miss at Auburn 10/31

This game, in my opinion, will be a nail biter. Auburn and Ole Miss are two projected great teams playing on a spooky, Halloween night. In my opinion, I think Auburn pulls off the big win over the Rebels, but obviously, I could be wrong. This was easily the hardest game to choose a winner. Hopefully, I will be pleasantly surprised. Rebels fall to 7-2.

 

Ole Miss vs. Arkansas 11/7

In this game, I am super, super confident. Arkansas simply destroyed the Rebels, 30-0. I think the Rebels get them back and punch them right in the mouth. I have Ole Miss getting the big home victory over a good Arkansas team.

 

Ole Miss vs. LSU 11/21

Ole Miss hosts a very talented LSU team in late November, and I think this one will be a great game. Ole Miss' Vaught-Hemingway Stadium will be full capacity in this one. LSU is projected to be a much better team compared to last year, for their youngsters will grow. Ole Miss gets the big win in my opinion here.

 

Ole Miss at Mississippi State 11/28

Ole Miss has a better team than those guys this year. Ole Miss also has not won a game in Starkville, MS since the Eli Manning days, 2003. A&M should be a mediocre-good team this year, for they lost so many seniors from last years historic team. I think the Rebels FINALLY pull off the victory at Davis-Wade Stadium. Ole Miss finishes 10-2, 6-2 SEC in my projections. HDT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recap -- Ole Miss at Arkansas Series

Rebels fall in Early Weekend Series

Ole Miss and Arkansas squared off Thursday night on ESPNU to start off the series. In this game, it was somewhat close throughout the first few innings, but Arkansas used a huge 5th inning to spring to their second SEC victory, 10-3. In game two, the Rebels used a three-run second inning to power them to tie up this series. Redshirt sophomore from Bartlett, TN, Brady Bramlett(4-1), was left with the pitching duties in game two. Bramlett has been Ole Miss' most consistent pitcher of the season. Scott Weathersby had 4 K's over three innings of work, and LHP Wyatt Short closed the game off for the Rebels. Cameron Dishon and Colby Bortles both went yard in this game, making this the first time since March 1st at UCF where the Rebels hit two homeruns in a game. In game three, Freshman Will Stokes was looking to push the Rebels to their second straight series win. He would come up short, but it was a great effort by the youngster. Senior Catcher Austin Knight went 3-4 with an RBI. Wyatt Short came in the game in the 6th inning, but it was not enough. FINAL: Arkansas 5, Ole Miss 2

 

 

Next Game: Tuesday March 31 at Memphis, 6:30 PM.



Recapping the Last Week of Ole Miss Baseball

A New Team Every Game

 

Game 1

The young and talented Ole Miss Rebel Baseball team was looking forward to hosting the No. 1 team in the country(Florida) at arguably the greatest atmosphere in College Baseball today. In game one of the three game series, Ole Miss started off strongly. After a Will Golson double to right field, Sophomore J.B. Woodman went yard to right field(about 370 feet), and it was 2-0 early. In the sixth inning, Austin Knight was up to bat with 1 out and Errol Robinson at second and Tate Blackman at third. Knight slapped a base hit, and both runs scored. Florida would add a run in the seventh inning, but it was all REBS throughout. FINAL: Ole Miss 4, No. 1 UF 1. Here are the Highlights.

 

 

 

 

Game 2

In the first inning of game two, Senior Sikes Orvis was up to bat with men on first and second base. What did he do? He smoked a three-run shot to right field, and Ole Miss had another early lead over the No. 1 team in the country(according to D1baseball.com). In the third inning with a man on first, Sikes Orvis nailed a RBI double to the right field wall. Woodman scored, and the Rebels took a 4-0 lead. They never looked back. FINAL: Ole Miss 5, No. 1 UF 2. Here are the Highlights.

 

 

Game 3

Not to pump sunshine or anything, but you pretty much figured that the number one team in the country would at least get one. And they did. There wasn't much to say about the third game of the series, but the Rebels took two of three on those guys. Pretty impressive. FINAL: No. 1 UF 8, Ole Miss 4. Here are the Highlights.

 

 

Mid-week Doubleheader vs. UAB

As you see in the header, there was some bad to go along with everything in the last week. The Rebels played Tuesday against UAB, and it was not good. The Rebels were swept, and offense was limited. FINAL: UAB 6, Ole Miss 1. FINAL(Game 2): UAB 3, Ole Miss 1. I figured you did not want to see 10 second highlights(exaggeration).

 

Next Game: Thursday at Arkansas, March 26, 6:30 PM (TV Provider: ESPNU). Games 2 and 3 are on SECNetwork and SECNetwork Plus. Game 2: 6:00 PM, Game 3: 2:05 PM.

 

 

Recap -- (11)Ole Miss vs (11) BYU

No Quit

 

The Ole Miss Rebels ran into a sharp-shooting BYU team on Tuesday night. The Rebels knew that when Chase Fischer scores a quick eight points and six of those eight early points were from long-distance threes. There was one positive at that moment: The Rebels never seem to start off well. 8-0 was not good. In the first half, BYU kept a good lead throughout. The Rebels cut the lead to one at 19-18, but BYU went back to their bread and butter, the three-pointer. They shot 10-15 from three in the first half, and they shot 57% in the first half overall. Andy Kennedy said on Sunday that whenever Ole Miss shoots 40% or better, they are 18-4. The Rebels shot 30%(12/40) in the first half. BYU lead 49-32 at the break, and Ole Miss' season seemed to be just about over. The scary thing for Rebel fans was that arguably BYU's best player, Kyle Collinsworth, was out most of the first half due to foul trouble and a tweaked knee. Tyler Haws and Chase Fischer almost could not miss. There is nothing to get angry about when you are playing good defense, and they still do not seem to miss. In the second half, everything(yes, I mean everything) changed. In the first 8 1/2 minutes of the second half, Ole Miss was on a 20-8 run to cut the BYU lead down to 57-52. After a minor BYU push, Ole Miss went on another run(15-2), and MJ Rhett had 10 of the 15. With 7:15 remaining, Stefan Moody drilled a three to add to his already big total, and the Ole Miss Rebels took their first lead of the ballgame. Ole Miss forced many turnovers in the second half, and it seemed like whenever BYU would have the chance to take the lead or add to their lead, Ole Miss would steal the ball and get a bucket. Ole Miss led 87-82 with 1:33 left, and of course, Chase Fischer shot a deep three only to get nothing but net. Jarvis Summers sealed the game to make it a two possession game with 2.9 seconds left, and the Rebels are still dancing into Jacksonville, FL. Stats: Points in the Paint--Ole Miss 42, BYU 14. Points off of Turnovers--Ole Miss 25, BYU 0.

Player(s) of the Game: MJ Rhett(20 points, 2 REB) and Stefan Moody(26 points, 5 AST)

Notable Performances: Ole Miss' Jarvis Summers(11 points, 5 REB, 10 AST), BYU'S Kyle Collinsworth(8 points, 7 REB, 10 AST), BYU's Tyler Haws(33 points, 5 REB, 5 AST), and BYU's Chase Fischer(23 points, 5 REB).

Next Game: Thursday, March 19, (11)Ole Miss vs. (6)Xavier, 3:10 CT, TV Provider: TBS.

Ole Miss MBB -- NCAA Tournament

Ole Miss Slides into Play-in Game

 

The Ole Miss Rebels snuck into the NCAA Tournament despite two bad losses to end the year. Last week, according to ESPN, Ole Miss was a LOCK for the NCAA Tournament. A "lock" means that no matter what you do, you are basically guaranteed to be in. After the loss to Vanderbilt, ESPN said not so fast, and put the Rebels on the bubble. According to ESPN's Joe Lunardi, Ole Miss was in the "Last Four Byes", which is the best spot on the bubble. After the heartbreaking loss to South Carolina, the Rebels were in the "Last Four In" of all three of the major bracketologists brackets. On Saturday, Wyoming stole a bid after upsetting San Diego State, and that made Ole Miss, for most, the last TEAM in. The Rebels needed SMU to win the American conference to have any shot at making the tournament, and SMU ended up taking the victory. The Rebels, honestly, did not know whether they would make it or not. Nothing against Joe Lunardi, Jerry Palm, or the folks for USA Today, but those are just projections. During the selection show, NCAA.org was putting down the games on the website as they were announced. Of course, one game was leaked, and it was Ole Miss vs BYU as 11 seeds in a play-in game in Dayton. The game was removed from the website soon afterwards. This was either the biggest troll ever or good news. It ended up being good news. The Ole Miss/BYU play-in game was the last slot announced of the entire tournament. Rebel fans were very relieved to see their favorite team's name on the screen. The game is Tuesday on truTV at 8:10 PM.

Here is the teams reaction as they were announced to be in the tournament: https://vine.co/v/OVAaL2Jq6Er

Recap -- Ole Miss at No. 1 LSU BSB

Orvis Shines in Thriller at Baton Rouge

 

The Ole Miss Rebels have not won a series in Baton Rouge in 33 years. Yes, 1982 is a long time ago. After a game 1 loss, the Rebels looked to steal one in Baton Rouge tonight in their first televised game of the season. Christian Trent suffered his first career loss in game 1, and Brady Bramlett had the pitching duties for game 2. Bramlett handled business for the most part while getting out of some jams. Bramlett surrendered six hits and three unearned runs. Scott Weathersby pitched 3.2 scoreless innings, and he was followed by the lefty Wyatt Short, who pitched 2.2 innings without allowing a run. Sam Smith will have the pitching duties for Sunday's matchup. With the score 3-2 in the top of the ninth inning, the Rebels needed a run to stay alive. They got it. Orvis smashed one to right field after a base hit by Golsan, who represented the tying run. LSU had nothing going in the bottom on the ninth inning, and we headed the extras. In the first 4 innings, no runs were scored for either team. In the 14th inning, Ole Miss got hot. After J.B. Woodman was walked, Sikes Orvis was up to bat. The senior smashed another one all the way to the wall, and Woodman came from first base to home plate, and the Rebels took the lead. Errol Robinson was up to bat with two outs in the 14th, and he smacked one to right field, and Orvis scored. That was it for the Rebels in the 14th. It was LSU's turn to respond. Freshman Will Stokes came in, and he delivered. With the bases loaded and two outs, LSU's best player and All-American was up to bat. Of course, he nailed toward left field, and Kyle Watson ended up with an incredible catch in foul territory. The Rebels would beat the number 1 team in the country in incredible fashion. During the game, Twitter blew up with the hashtag, "#FearTheStache". In fact, it was the 6th most trending topic on twitter which is awesome. That hashtag was for, of course, Sikes Orvis because of his mustache and his incredible play Saturday night. Here are some stats -- Hits: Ole Miss 7, LSU 11, Runners Left on Base: Ole Miss 6, LSU 10.

Player of the Game: Sikes Orvis(6 AB, 3 H, 2 RBI, 1 R, Great Stache)

Next Game: Sunday, March 15, 3 PM(TV Provider: SEC Network)

 



Spring Football Offensive Overview

Looking Forward to 2015 FB

The Ole Miss Rebel Spring practices began Tuesday, March 2, and some new faces look to fill in spaces left by old faces.

 

Quarterbacks

A three-way battle between junior college newcomer Chad Kelly and redshirt sophomores Devante Kincade and Ryan Buchanan will play itself out. The early favorite is Chad Kelly winning the job. Although his off-the-field troubles seem to be an issue, he has a good arm, great bloodlines(his uncle being the hall of fame Jim Kelly), and he brings confidence to the position. As far as Kincade and Buchanan, Kincade seems to have the advantage over those two. Kincade is a better fit to Coach Freeze's playbook(mobile), and Kincade has the strongest arm on the team. This is going to be fun to watch play out.

 

 

Running Backs

 Senior Jaylen Walton returns comfortably in his starting role at the running back position. He and I'Tavius Mathers would split carries last year, but it usually ended up to where Walton ended up with more carries. With Mathers having transferred, the Rebels are looking for a downhill running back who can assume the backup position for Walton. Those two candidates are sophomore Jordan Wilkins and junior Akeem Judd. Jordan Wilkins rushed for an immpressive 419 yards last season, and he averaged 8.1 yards per carry as a freshman. Akeem Judd did not see any time last year as he redshirted. Wilkins 6-1, 209 lbs, Judd 6-0 220 lbs. These running backs will have to step up because Mark Dodson, another running back, also transferred out of Oxford.

 

Wide Receivers

The Rebels will be without star Laquon Treadwell for most of the spring, but there is still plenty of talent at the table. Quincy Adeboyejo and Markell Pack will need to step up and assume bigger roles this spring. Sophomore Damore'ea Stringfellow, who sat out the 2014 season due to transfer rules, has a Laquon Treadwell like build, and the Rebels look to having those two on the field at the same time.

 

 

Tight Ends

Star Evan Engram will have no competition for the starting job this spring. But, having Nick Parker and Jeremy Liggins depart from the position, the Rebels need someone to step up and fill the backup role. Redshirt freshman Sammie Epps could be the answer to that conflict. Epps is built more like a tight end than Engram, listed at 6-5, 215 lbs.

 

Offensive Line

Everyone is back off of last year's unit, though superstar Laremy Tunsil and key player Aaron Morris will spend the spring recovering from injuries. At center, Ben Still will most likely get the look. The guard spots will feature Rod Taylor, Justin Bell, early-enrollee and 5-star Javon Patterson, and others. At tackle, the rotation should be starting with returning Fahn Cooper, Robert Conyers, Christian Morris, and Sean Rawlings.

 

This spring is full of new and old faces, so get your popcorn ready for a battled-out spring!

Recap -- Ole Miss at Alabama

Ole Miss Captures a Huge Road Win

 

Ole Miss went into Tuscaloosa, AL with the NCAA Tournament in the back of their minds. Andy Kennedy captures his seventh twenty-win season in his nine-year reign, and the Ole Miss Rebels had exactly seven twenty-win seasons in the ninety-six years prior. The Rebels, having lost their last two games, were in desperate need for a road win. The Rebels were sliding closer and closer to the bubble, where the Rebels do not have much luck. With this win, the Rebels are likely a tournament team, but they are certainly not a lock. Two seniors, Jarvis Summers and Ladarius(Snoop) White, got hurt in this game, and thankfully, they returned and were fine. Stefan Moody let the Rebels with 25 points, and he shot an important 13/14 from the free throw line, where he is 92% on the season(Best in SEC, 5th best in NCAA). Summers had another off night, but gladly, that did not affect the outcome of this game. The next game is Saturday, March 7 at 8:00 PM CT, against Vanderbilt at C.M. Tad Smith Coliseum. It will be senior night for the Rebels, also. The Rebels are currently 4th in the SEC Standings right now, and the Georgia vs. Kentucky game is pending. The Rebels surge to 20-10, 11-5. Hotty Toddy.



Double Header Recap -- (18)Ole Miss at (15)UCF

Rebels Hand UCF First Loss of Season, Split Doubleheader

The Ole Miss Rebels were looking for a big series win after having lost game 1 on Friday, 4-5. The Rebels started out bright and early, and according to the Ole Miss IMG Sports Network, 7:30 was the earliest pre-game warm-up time ever recorded in Ole Miss Baseball History. The first game started with the Rebels leading 1-0, and that lead to a 3-run 4th inning for UCF. UCF's weekend was full of comebacks, for they were down 4-0 in Game 1 of the series and won 5-4, they had a minor comeback in this one, and you're about to find out about Game 3. Ole Miss would cut into that lead because of a Cameron Dishon RBI, but the Rebels were not able to bring home any more runs in the first game of the day. FINAL: UCF 3, Ole Miss 2. 

Sikes Orvis and Colby Bortles after a HR vs. Arkansas State.

In Game 3 of the weekend series, Ole Miss came ready to play. The Rebels would score the first run of the game off of a double by Tate Blackman in the 2nd inning. A Sikes Orvis HR gave the Rebels a 2-0 lead in the 3rd inning, and it would be the Senior's 3 homer of the season. In the 5th inning, Colby Bortles "decided to play long-ball" as the Oviedo, Florida native blasted a solo HR to make it 3-0. Fun Fact: Colby Bortles' brother, Blake Bortles, is a former star QB at UCF. In the sixth, Sam Smith let a two run homer go by for UCF, and Jacob Waguespack would take the pitching duties from there. Wyatt Short would come into a 3-3 ballgame in the B7, and he handled business from there. In the top of the 9th inning, Ole Miss had bases loaded with, arguably, their best hitter at the plate, Sikes Orvis. Orvis would receive a 4 pitch walk that would give the Rebels the 4-3 lead with 1 out. The Rebels would get nothing else out of the inning, and it was time for Wyatt Short to step up and deliver a win. Short would record two strikeouts in the 9th inning, and he would give the Rebels a much-needed win. Although the series went to UCF, a very good team, winning the last game of the series makes the flight home much, much better. The Rebels boost to 6-4 as the UCF Knights drop their first loss of the season, 10-1.

Player of the Game: No. 38 P Wyatt Short(2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 K)

 

Next Game: @Southern Miss, Wednesday, March 4, @ 6:30 PM. Hattiesburg, MS.