ESPN Reveals Ole Miss' Biggest Strength For 2024 Season
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Lane Kiffin is an offensive guru, and that talent is expected to continue to make its mark in the 2024 college football season.
The Ole Miss Rebels are widely-considered to be a legitimate contender for the newly-expanded College Football Playoff this fall, and after an 11-win season in 2023, it's hard to argue against that assertion. ESPN recently pinpointed the "biggest strengths" for its Top 25 teams entering this season, and Ole Miss' was, understandably, its offense.
You can view an excerpt from the piece below.
Ole Miss Rebels WR Tre Harris
© Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
"The Rebels have never had problems scoring points under Lane Kiffin, and that again shouldn't be an issue in 2024. In all four of his seasons in Oxford, Kiffin's offenses have averaged more than 33 points per game."
Jaxson Dart is running it back for another season in Oxford at quarterback, and he is joined by an embarrassment of weapons at the wide receiver and tight end positions, highlighted by names like Tre Harris, Juice Wells, Jordan Watkins and Caden Prieskorn.
The Rebels lost ballcarrier Quinshon Judkins in the transfer portal this offseason, but Ulysses Bentley IV is expected to shoulder the primary running back duties this fall. The Ole Miss head coach also said on Tuesday that his team could very well hit the transfer portal itself in search of another running back this spring.
"You're going to have another free agency window coming up," Kiffin said. "If you guys look out there and look at our running back position, just like you would in the NFL, you're going to attack free agency at that spot. It is what it is."
The offensive firepower should not take away from what promises to be a stout improvement on defense, however. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding went on his own shopping spree in the portal this winter, securing names like defensive lineman Walter Nolen, edge rusher Princely Umanmielen and defensive back Trey Amos.
The Rebels are currently in the midst of spring drills, a period that will conclude with The Grove Bowl spring game on April 13. Ole Miss will open its 2024 season at home on Aug. 31 when it plays host to the Furman Paladins.
