Ole Miss Football: Five Thoughts From Alabama Loss

Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze walks onto the field to check on an injured player during the first quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss lost a hard fought 48-43 decision to number 1 Alabama on Saturday. There were both positives and negatives we can take from the game in Oxford.

While Ole Miss lost to Alabama for the first time in three years, there were some good things to take away as well as things that can be improved. It is critical for Ole Miss to clean things up quickly with a big game against Georgia on the horizon.

Nov 21, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Breeland Speaks (9) celebrates after a goal line stand during the fourth quarter of the game against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

The Ole Miss defensive line has been a strength for Ole Miss this season. They played well against Florida State in the first game of the season. However, they had a rough day against the Alabama run game. The Crimson Tide ran 48 times for 334 yards which is good for seven yards a carry. That simply isn’t good enough when you are playing a team as good as Alabama. It allowed them to control the clock and stay ahead of the chains.

Oct 31, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive back Tony Bridges (1) celebrates an interception with Mississippi Rebels linebacker DeMarquis Gates during the first quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

The Ole Miss secondary improved from week one against FSU to this game against Alabama. The Rebels only gave up 158 yards through the air. There were only two explosive plays by Alabama through the air. A young secondary did its job against one of the nation’s best receiving corps.

Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) runs the ball during the second quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Most people will think of Kelly turning the ball over twice that led to Alabama touchdowns. Yes, those were brutal mistakes. However, Kelly had a nice day throwing the football on a very good Crimson Tide secondary. Kelly threw for 421 yards and three touchdowns on the day. Not many quarterbacks will have that kind of day against Alabama this season.

Nov 21, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Akeem Judd (21) runs the ball during the first quarter of the game against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into the game, we kind of expected the Ole Miss running game to struggle against the Alabama run defense. Early on, the Rebels had some success. Akeem Judd raced to a 23 yard touchdown on the first drive of the game. However, the rest of the day was a struggle. Hugh Freeze tried to keep some balance in the play calling but it was difficult to get much of anything against the Crimson Tide on the ground.

Sep 10, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) carries the ball against Wofford Terriers cornerback Devin Watson (24) during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the most promising spot of Saturday’s game was the young receivers stepping up against Alabama. Van Jefferson caught six passes for 91 yards and A.J. Brown caught two passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. These two along with the injured D.K. Metcalf look to be a great receiving corps for a long time for the Rebels.