After eight consecutive games, Ole Miss rested on the first of two off weeks it will have as the team barrels down the homestretch of the 2019 season. The Rebels head to Auburn this weekend with their bowl hopes on life support and aiming to show evidence of improvement in the form of tangible results. Matt Luke updated the injury report, elaborated on the challenge Tigers defense presents and more.
First, a couple of injury-related notes.
— John Rhys Plumlee did not practice on Sunday but will be a limited participant Tuesday after getting treatment on the players’ off day, according to Luke. Plumlee had a minor knee procedure last week. Most of the swelling has subsided from the scope and he is expected to be ready to play when the Rebels take the field at Jordan-Hare on Saturday evening.
— The offensive line took a physical beating in the loss to Texas A&M. Eli Johnson, Alex Givens Michael Howard and Ben Brown all suffered minor injuries, but were full participants in Sunday’s practice. To say a bye week is well-timed is often an overused refrain from coaches. But with the number of injuries the Rebels suffered on an already flimsy offensive line, the off week saved them from really being in a pinch against on of the best defensive fronts in college football.
— Jerrion Ealy cleared concussion protocol.
Rich Rodriguez will have his hands full in the season’s final month. Ole Miss will face two of the best defensive fronts it has faced all year in Auburn and LSU. For any chance of success, the Rebels will have to be more multi-deminsonal on offense. Rodriguez discussed the challenges of doing so, the quarterback rotation and how his unit can have more consistent success in the passing game.
Mike MacIntyre and the defense will face a freshman quarterback for the first time this season in Auburn’s Bo Nix. MacIntyre shed light on how Nix has evolved, a solid Auburn rushing attack led by a somewhat healthy Jartavious Whitlow and more.
Programming note: Ole Miss’ November 9 home game with New Mexico State will be a 3 P.M. kickoff.
