FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2015, file photo, Mississippi quarterback Chad Kelly dives in for a touchdown past Alabama linebacker Shaun Hamilton during first half of an NCAA college football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala. After leading East Mississippi Community College to a national title, Kelly transferred to Ole Miss, where he is ranked second nationally in passing efficiency. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)

#24 Ole Miss Will Try To Bounce Back Against #15 Texas A&M

The only match up this weekend that features two ranked teams is one where both teams, and their coaches, need a win to keep their SEC Championship hopes alive. Texas A&M (5-1) is coming off of a loss to Alabama 41-23 in a game where Kyle Allen threw three interceptions returned for touchdowns. Mississippi (5-2) is coming off a loss to now nationally ranked Memphis as the Bulldogs have dropped from a number three ranking to a number 25 ranking in a few short weeks.

After entering last weekend with the SEC’s highest scoring offenses, the two teams, who were each held in check offensively, will rely on their quarterbacks to get them back on track. Ole Miss’s junior Chad Kelly leads the SEC and is seventh in the nation with 2,234 passing yards, and the Aggies’ sophomore Kyle Allen is third in the SEC with 1,537 passing yards on the season. Numbers one and two on the SEC receiving list are Ole Miss wide out Laquon Treadwell with 654 receiving yards, and A&M’s Christian Kirk with 609 yards. Both have four TD’s on the year.

The return of All-American left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the offensive line could help the Ole Miss offense. He returns after a seven-game suspension after the NCAA determined he received illegal benefits. Ole Miss running back Jaylen Watkins ranks 14th in rushing in the SEC, against a vulnerable Aggies defense that was run all over by Derrick Henry and Alabama for a season-worst 258 rushing yards last week.

“The offensive practice yesterday was quite enthusiastic, and I think he [Laremy Tunsil] is part of the reason, and it kind of gets some other people back into where they were slotted to play.” Head coach Hugh Freeze said, “We seemed to have a little extra pep yesterday, and I would guess that he is part of the reason for sure.”

On the other side of the ball for the Rebels, star defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche and safety Trae Elston are going through concussion protocol for Ole Miss and may be sidelined for the game Saturday.

Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin is remaining very positive after the loss to Alabama.

“Our message is going to remain consistent, the message is that right now basically we have the same record in the [SEC] West as the team we lost to does.” Sumlin said.

Kickoff from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is at 7 PM on ESPN.

Category: College Football, SEC