Kickoff...
I was sitting here contemplating doing my English homework, but only one thing could come to my mind. Sunday afternoon. On this Sunday, September 3, the Ole Miss Rebels will be taking on Memphis State in the first game of the 2006 NCAA Football Season.
If you didn't know, I despise the University of Memphis, I have a deeply rooted disdain for that team and their fans. To me, this isn't just the first game of the season, it is the most important game of the season. Yes, I know it's not an SEC game, and it won't help our conference record, but these Tiger fans have reached a point of absurdity. They actually think they are on the same playing field as Ole Miss. They've been to three bowls, three! The fans are simply driving me insane. On their message boards they constantly belittle Ole Miss and attempt to make it seem as though Ole Miss is the little brother of Memphis. Can they really be serious? The series record is 43-10, you didn't misread that. How can you look at that record and even entertain the though of owning a team?
Now, I will give the Tigers credit where credit is due. They have had good seasons over the past few seasons. Last year they were able to overcome multiple QB injuries and win the Motor City Bowl against Akron. The year before they fell to Bowling Green State in the Mobile Bowl. The year before that they emeged victorious from the New Orleans Bowl against the mighty North Texas State Mean Green. Doesn't that name just strike fear into your heart? The North Texas State Mean Green.
All of these were good accomplishment for the Tigers, but they achieved all of this with their two best players in franchise history, Deangelo Williams and Danny Wimprine. However, these players are gone and the Tigers are left with question marks at the running and QB positions. You can argue Ole Miss is in the same predicament, but we have a highly touted QB in Brent Schaeffer, with SEC experience, and an incredibly deep corp of running backs. Check out the stats and names if you don't agree with my assesments on the running game. I guess this is a good lead into my position analysis for the game Sunday.
QBs:
Ole Miss - The Rebels are led by JUCO transfer, and former UT standout, Brent Schaeffer. BS is an incredibly gifted player with blazing speed, accurate arm, and can throw with power. He's gotten plenty of pre-season hype and is looking to redeem himself from his fallout with the SEC his freshman year. Expect to see Schaeffer turn some heads with his playmaking ability this game, both with his arm and his feet. BS is accused of not playing against quality competition, but with the type of numbers he put up in JUCO, it's hard to dismiss the fact that he will be a great college player.
Memphis - The Tigers will more than likely have Martin Hankins under center against the Rebels. Hankins is a transfer from SELA and has been hailed as a great passing QB. Last year the Tigers had QB problems against the Rebels when the starter, Patrick Byrne broke his ankle on the third play of the game. Tiger fans are hoping this does not occur again, for obvious reasons, and Rebel fans are hoping it doesn't either. (We're sick of hearing that excuse from the game last season)
Advantage: Ole Miss
RBs:
Ole Miss - Ole Miss has a completely different running game this season. Last year the Rebels struggled to muster anything on the ground, but with the additions of BJGE, Cordera Eason, Bruce Hall, and the return of Mico Mcswain the Rebels are suddenly a very dangerous ground team. The depth at RB is going to allow the Rebs to use Mcswain in a variety of different ways. Mico can play both the reciever and RB positions, so this will allow him to be on the field with the other playmakers currently in the backfield.
Memphis - Tiger High is trying to fill a huge void at the running position. Heisman hopeful, Deangelo Williams, has left the Tigers and joined the ranks of the NFL and Joseph Doss is left to fill his shoes. Albeit, Doss is a capable running back, but he is small and doesn't have the ability to consistently go up the middle. However, I am not worried about Doss playing a significant impact on this game. The Rebel LBs and Safeties are more than capable of going sideline to sideline to prevent Doss from using his speed to break free.
Advantage - Ole Miss
WRs/TE:
Ole Miss - The Rebels have two players returning with in game experience from last season, Robert Lane and Carlos Suggs. Despite the lack of experience, there is no lack of talent in this recieving corp. Freshmen Dexter Mccluster and Marshay Green have coaches salivating with their playmaking potential. Other players such as Hicks and Wallace have shown signs of potential on the practice field as well. The recieving corp will probably be the X-Factor for the Rebs this season. Despite the question at WR, the Rebs are loaded at the TE position with Lilly and Lane providing a great two TE combo.
Memphis - The Tigers have a good group of recievers this season. They are also have plenty of on field expeirience. Players such as Taz Knockum, Earnest Williams, freshman Duke Calhoun, Ryan Scott, Mario Pratcher, and Robinzine all expect to have impact plays during the season. While the Tigers have an impressive group of WRs, they are suspect at the TE position.
Advantage - Memphis
Defense:
Ole Miss - Patrick Willis, nuff' said.
Memphis - Joe Lee Dunn, nuff' said
Advantage - Ole Miss
Special Teams:
Ole Miss - The kicking game is a nightmare.
Memphis - Gibson will be an All-American
Advantage - Memphis
If you didn't know, I despise the University of Memphis, I have a deeply rooted disdain for that team and their fans. To me, this isn't just the first game of the season, it is the most important game of the season. Yes, I know it's not an SEC game, and it won't help our conference record, but these Tiger fans have reached a point of absurdity. They actually think they are on the same playing field as Ole Miss. They've been to three bowls, three! The fans are simply driving me insane. On their message boards they constantly belittle Ole Miss and attempt to make it seem as though Ole Miss is the little brother of Memphis. Can they really be serious? The series record is 43-10, you didn't misread that. How can you look at that record and even entertain the though of owning a team?
Now, I will give the Tigers credit where credit is due. They have had good seasons over the past few seasons. Last year they were able to overcome multiple QB injuries and win the Motor City Bowl against Akron. The year before they fell to Bowling Green State in the Mobile Bowl. The year before that they emeged victorious from the New Orleans Bowl against the mighty North Texas State Mean Green. Doesn't that name just strike fear into your heart? The North Texas State Mean Green.
All of these were good accomplishment for the Tigers, but they achieved all of this with their two best players in franchise history, Deangelo Williams and Danny Wimprine. However, these players are gone and the Tigers are left with question marks at the running and QB positions. You can argue Ole Miss is in the same predicament, but we have a highly touted QB in Brent Schaeffer, with SEC experience, and an incredibly deep corp of running backs. Check out the stats and names if you don't agree with my assesments on the running game. I guess this is a good lead into my position analysis for the game Sunday.
QBs:
Ole Miss - The Rebels are led by JUCO transfer, and former UT standout, Brent Schaeffer. BS is an incredibly gifted player with blazing speed, accurate arm, and can throw with power. He's gotten plenty of pre-season hype and is looking to redeem himself from his fallout with the SEC his freshman year. Expect to see Schaeffer turn some heads with his playmaking ability this game, both with his arm and his feet. BS is accused of not playing against quality competition, but with the type of numbers he put up in JUCO, it's hard to dismiss the fact that he will be a great college player.
Memphis - The Tigers will more than likely have Martin Hankins under center against the Rebels. Hankins is a transfer from SELA and has been hailed as a great passing QB. Last year the Tigers had QB problems against the Rebels when the starter, Patrick Byrne broke his ankle on the third play of the game. Tiger fans are hoping this does not occur again, for obvious reasons, and Rebel fans are hoping it doesn't either. (We're sick of hearing that excuse from the game last season)
Advantage: Ole Miss
RBs:
Ole Miss - Ole Miss has a completely different running game this season. Last year the Rebels struggled to muster anything on the ground, but with the additions of BJGE, Cordera Eason, Bruce Hall, and the return of Mico Mcswain the Rebels are suddenly a very dangerous ground team. The depth at RB is going to allow the Rebs to use Mcswain in a variety of different ways. Mico can play both the reciever and RB positions, so this will allow him to be on the field with the other playmakers currently in the backfield.
Memphis - Tiger High is trying to fill a huge void at the running position. Heisman hopeful, Deangelo Williams, has left the Tigers and joined the ranks of the NFL and Joseph Doss is left to fill his shoes. Albeit, Doss is a capable running back, but he is small and doesn't have the ability to consistently go up the middle. However, I am not worried about Doss playing a significant impact on this game. The Rebel LBs and Safeties are more than capable of going sideline to sideline to prevent Doss from using his speed to break free.
Advantage - Ole Miss
WRs/TE:
Ole Miss - The Rebels have two players returning with in game experience from last season, Robert Lane and Carlos Suggs. Despite the lack of experience, there is no lack of talent in this recieving corp. Freshmen Dexter Mccluster and Marshay Green have coaches salivating with their playmaking potential. Other players such as Hicks and Wallace have shown signs of potential on the practice field as well. The recieving corp will probably be the X-Factor for the Rebs this season. Despite the question at WR, the Rebs are loaded at the TE position with Lilly and Lane providing a great two TE combo.
Memphis - The Tigers have a good group of recievers this season. They are also have plenty of on field expeirience. Players such as Taz Knockum, Earnest Williams, freshman Duke Calhoun, Ryan Scott, Mario Pratcher, and Robinzine all expect to have impact plays during the season. While the Tigers have an impressive group of WRs, they are suspect at the TE position.
Advantage - Memphis
Defense:
Ole Miss - Patrick Willis, nuff' said.
Memphis - Joe Lee Dunn, nuff' said
Advantage - Ole Miss
Special Teams:
Ole Miss - The kicking game is a nightmare.
Memphis - Gibson will be an All-American
Advantage - Memphis
posted by Jason Smith at 11:25 PM
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