SEC Preview: Ole Miss Looks to Improve Defense to Compete with the West Powers
Our SEC football previews continue with Ole Miss. The Rebels won the Outback Bowl this winter to mark the first bowl victory for the program since 2015. Junior signal-caller Matt Corral is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the conference this year. The second-year starter led the country in total offense per game in 2020. He says head coach Lane Kiffin challenged him to be better this year.
Kiffin guided Ole Miss to a 5-4 record last year in his first season as head coach. Offensively, the Rebels return Second Team All-SEC athlete Jerrion Ealy, but lost wide receiver Elijah Moore, who was selected in the second round of this year’s NFL draft. Kiffin says the Rebels struggled in many areas defensively last year, and that has been a big offseason focus.
Defensive back Jaylon Jones is entering his senior season with Ole Miss. Jones is excited to have some continuity this offseason.
The Rebels open their season Labor Day with a kickoff game against Louisville in Atlanta. Mississippi’s SEC slate features its West opponents, the annual rivalry game with Vanderbilt, and a visit to Tennessee. Mizzou will not face Ole Miss until 2024 unless it’s the in the SEC Championship game or College Football Playoff.
