Ole Miss Rebels' Week 10 Opponent Preview: Alabama Crimson Tide
OXFORD, Miss. – While most of the country was competing this past weekend, the Ole Miss Rebels were on their bye week.
The Rebels' bye week could not have come at a better time, giving them an extra week to rest and prepare for their matchup against Alabama. Alabama dropped their second game of the season this weekend losing to LSU in Death Valley, giving the Rebels a real chance to take them down too. While Ole Miss also lost to LSU earlier this season, their bye week gives them extra time to not only watch film on their mistakes, but also the weaknesses of Alabama.
Ole Miss and Alabama take center stage this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Here is a preview of what the Rebels can expect when Alabama arrives to Oxford.
Alabama Crimson Tide
2022 Record: 7-2
Conference Record: 4-2
Head Coach: Nick Saban (16th season)
Saban holds a record of 190-27 after becoming Alabama’s head coach in 2007.
Offensive Leaders
Passing: Bryce Young
Junior quarterback Bryce Young completed 366 of his 547 passes for 4,872 yards, 47 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions in 2021.
Young has completed 171 of his 272 passes for 2,234 yards, 19 touchdowns, and four interceptions this season.
Rushing: Jahmyr Gibbs
Junior transfer running back Jahmyr Gibbs ran the ball 143 times for 746 yards, four touchdowns, and averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 2021 as a member of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Gibbs is facing much more stout competition in the SEC then compared to last year in the ACC, but somehow his numbers are already better. Gibbs has run the ball 113 times this season for 771 yards, six touchdowns, and averages 6.8 yards per carry.
Receiving: Ja’Corey Brooks
Sophomore wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks never really established himself in Alabama’s offense in 2021 as he only caught 15 passes, 192 yards, and two scores.
Brooks has stood out for Alabama this year and leads the team with 473 receiving yards. He has done so on 28 catches and brought five of them into the end zone.
Defensive Leaders
Tackles: Demarcco Hellams
Senior defensive back Demarcco Hellams was a tackling machine in 2021, racking up 87 tackles to go along with three interceptions and three PBUs.
Hellams is all over the field again this year and has already made 71 stops, one sack, and one forced fumble. He also has a fumble recovery, and interception, and six PBU’s.
Interceptions: Demarcco Hellams, Will Anderson Jr., and Terrion Arnold
Hellams is tied with junior linebacker Will Anderson Jr. and freshman defensive back Terrion Arnold for the team lead in interceptions with one.
Sacks: Will Anderson Jr.
Will Anderson Jr. was an extremely disruptive pass rusher off the edge in 2021, leading the team with 17.5 sacks.
This year he has been a little quieter, but he still leads the team with seven sacks on the season.
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