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Third-ranked Tide roll into Oxford to take on 20th-ranked Rebels

Oxford, MS (Sports Network) - The third-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will conclude a brief two-game road trip through SEC territory, as they invade Oxford this weekend for a top-25 SEC West showdown with 20th-ranked Ole Miss.

Nick Saban's Crimson Tide have looked the part of national title contender, winning each of the first five games on the docket. The team kept its unblemished record intact with last weekend's 38-20 victory at Kentucky.

The Rebels have just one loss on the season, coming two weeks ago at South Carolina (16-10). Houston Nutt's team bounced back in a big way at Vanderbilt last weekend though, posting a 23-7 win in Nashville.

Nutt knows one loss won't determine the season and the importance of getting back in the win column,

"It's just one at a time. It is too long of a season. It is very hard for any team to go undefeated in our league. It is very difficult to do that. It's just one game at a time and it starts this week. That win really helped our mindset. (Mindset) is a big word because of the momentum, attitude and confidence. There is nothing like a win. You learn better and this will help us this week."

The Crimson Tide own a 45-9-2 advantage in the all-time series and have dominated the Rebels over the last three decades, winning five straight meetings and 22 of the last 24 since 1977.

The Crimson Tide have received balanced play on the offensive side of the ball, but a lot of that has to do with the emergence of new quarterback Greg McElroy. In just five career starts, the junior has completed over 65 percent of his passes, for 1,086 yards, with nine TDs and just one INT, for the sixth- best efficiency rating in the country (165.48).

Sophomore Julio Jones was supposed to be the focal point of the passing game, but the standout receiver has yet to take off, instead grabbing just nine balls in four games played, for 133 yards and one score. Senior tight end Colin Peek (14 receptions, for 160 yards and one TD) has picked up the slack, while Marquis Maze (24.2 ypc) has provided big play ability.

The offense's best player this year however, has been tailback Mark Ingram, who has dominated both as a rusher and coming out of the backfield. Ingram leads the team in rushing at 5.9 yards per carry with six TDs. He has added 14 receptions, for an additional 147 yards and three more scores.

Defensively, the Crimson Tide have done a stellar job, giving up just over 14 points per game, while showing their stingy nature both against the run (64.4 ypg) and the pass (157.8 ypg). The loss of LB Dont'a Hightower to injury would cripple a lot of units, but not Alabama. All-American candidate Rolando McClain (35 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, two sacks, one INT and one forced fumble) has been even sharper at the point of attack and knows he can rely on his teammates to help out more with Hightower out.

"You just have to be disciplined and play assignment football. You've got to be able to trust the guys around you really. I knew that Cory Reamer was a good player. I knew he would step in and be able to do a good job, so I just had to trust the guy beside me."

The defensive line has some capable players as well in the form of Marcell Dareus (14 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and Terrence Cody (12 tackles, 3.5 TFLs). Senior Javier Arenas (26 tackles, three sacks) is an All-American candidate in the secondary.

The setback against South Carolina is more of an exception rather than the norm when it comes to the Ole Miss offense and what the unit is capable of producing. This is an offense that has received great balance between the run (182.8 ypg) and the pass (190.8 ypg).

Quarterback Jevan Snead is a talented playmaker, but needs to cut down on mistakes if he is to maximize his potential and elevate the Rebels to an elite program. Snead has completed just over 51 percent of his passes and has nine TDs, but five interceptions, including three picks last weekend. Shay Hodge has been the top option in the vertical game, pacing the team in receptions (17), receiving yards (269) and TD catches (3).

The ground game is solid despite the lack of a workhorse in the backfield. Brandon Bolden has gotten the most carries (48), averaging 6.2 yards per tote.

The Ole Miss defense is regarded as one of the better units in the country and that has been evident in the first half of the season, with the Rebels allowing just over 10 points per game. This defense has recorded 11 sacks in the first four games, with 10 takeaways.

When healthy, All-American Greg Hardy is as good as it gets in terms of rushing the passer. However, the standout end has played in just three games this year due to injury, but still has two sacks. Kentrell Lockett, who has started all four games, leads the way in that department with three sacks. Strong safety Johnny Brown has been the most active defender on the team, leading the way with 29 total tackles with one INT, followed by free safety Kendrick Lewis (24 tackles).

Saban knows the challenge that Ole Miss presents, especially on the defensive side of the football.

"Mississippi is probably the best team we have played to this point, all the way around. They have a lot of experience, a lot of good players, and a very good defensive team. Houston Nutt does a great job coaching any team that he has coached and we have had some great games in the past. Their defensive team is very highly ranked. They've got a very good front, a couple of dominant up front guys and couple of good pass rushers and play well in the secondary."

10/7/2009 10:50:56 AM

 

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