The calendar’s flipped to August and for Ole Miss faithful that’s a sign.
Football season is practically here. With the current run of success Lane Kiffin has created, there is what I would call cautious optimism.
It’s hard to realistically be more over the top after multiple 10-win seasons and all the changes to the Rebels’ roster in the offseason. This year feels different for some folks, though.
Something is brewing in Oxford that has a numbers of fans genuinely believing Ole Miss might be on the verge of something special.
Let’s start with the obvious. We’re sitting pretty at No. 15 in the preseason coaches poll. They’ll be ranked somewhere around there when the AP media poll comes out Tuesday.
Not too shabby for a program that was wandering in the wilderness not too long ago. But rankings don’t win games and Kiffin knows that better than anyone.
What’s has a lot of fans excited isn’t the number next to the name, it’s the pieces he’s assembled for this puzzle.
The quarterback situation has been the talk of the town and for good reason.
Austin Simmons is stepping into some big shoes, but everything I’m hearing suggests this kid has the goods. Maybe even not a dropoff from three years of Jaxson Dart making key plays one after another.
Simmons has the arm talent, sure, but more importantly, he seems to have that intangible leadership quality that separates good quarterbacks from great ones.
In a league where quarterback play can make or break your season, having confidence in that position is huge.
Here’s where things get really interesting. The Rebels receiving corps might be as deep as it’s been in recent memory.
Deuce Alexander’s transfer from Wake Forest has everyone buzzing, and when Kiffin calls a player “electric,” that usually means something.
He’s seen enough talent come through Oxford to know what moves the needle. Alexander brings that proven SEC-level experience that could be the difference maker in close games.
The running game has some question marks with Logan Diggs working his way back from that knee injury, but there’s nothing to suggest anyone be overly concerned.
Kiffin’s offensive system has always been about maximizing what you have, and Diggs has shown he can be that workhorse back when healthy. Plus, there’s depth behind him.
Defense is where things get a bit murky. Losing nine players to the NFL is the kind of exodus that can derail a season if you’re not careful.
There is reason for hope, however. Ricky Fletcher’s arrival from South Alabama addresses a real need in the secondary.
The kid can cover, and in today’s pass-heavy game, you can’t have enough quality defensive backs.
TJ Dottery emerging as a leader in the linebacker room is another positive development. Every great defense needs a vocal leader who can get everyone aligned and Dottery may be embracing that role.
The secondary depth that Kiffin’s been talking about could be crucial. Everybody can remember those games where one injury completely exposed the defensive backfield.
Having multiple guys who can step in without a major drop-off changes how aggressive you can be with your game planning.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Offensive line cohesion is still a work in progress. In the SEC, that’s not something you can just hope works itself out.
Good defensive coordinators will find ways to exploit any uncertainty up front, and we’re going to face some of the best pass rushers in the country. This could be what determines whether we’re a ten-win team or something closer to eight wins.
Kiffin’s emphasis on building a “blue-collar mindset” and authentic culture resonates with fans. There have been too many Ole Miss teams over the years that looked great on paper but folded when things got tough.
The best teams in the SEC are the ones that embrace the grind and understand every Saturday is going to be a battle.
If this group has truly bought into that mentality, it could carry them through some of the inevitable rough patches.
The thing about college football is sometimes the stars align in ways you don’t expect. Ole Miss has some favorable scheduling breaks, a veteran coaching staff that knows how to maximize talent and a fanbase hungry for the next level.
The season opener against Georgia State on August 30 should give us a an early read on where this team stands. It better not be close, though.
Three 10-win seasons in four years under Kiffin isn’t an accident.
This program has established a standard and now it’s about taking that next step. Can we finally break through to elite status?
A lot of fans think the pieces are there. The question is whether they’ll come together at the right time.
