There has been a lot of debate about Alabama vs. Ole Miss, and as this game approaches on Saturday, it’s becoming more evident that Ole Miss has a chance to win this game. Alabama is a supreme talent and that can’t be argued, but I will show you why Ole Miss has “arrived” in the SEC and why they are ready to compete with the big boys of the conference.

Bama’s Defense Against an Up-Tempo Attack

Although Nick Saban has always had great defensive units at Alabama, it’s safe to say that he has struggled a bit versus the up-tempo spread attacks, well some of them anyways. Whether it was Utah in the Sugar Bowl way back when, or just recently Oklahoma in last season’s finale, teams that can move fast and spread the field can score on the Tide.

Ole Miss is an up-tempo offense that likes to go fast and likes to get most of its yards through the air. The Rebels are averaging 78.7 plays per game this season, and we will probably see Bo Wallace throw it 30 times or more in this game.

Against West Virginia in the season opener, the Tide gave up 365 passing yards against the Mountaineers spread attack. It’s worth noting that Florida couldn’t do much a couple of weeks ago, but Jeff Driskel’s struggles are a completely different conversation.

I don’t think Ole Miss will set offensive records in this game—we saw last season how Alabama was able to contain the Rebels’ offense—but they will do enough in this game to put themselves in a position to win. The Rebels are getting better on both sides of the ball, and at home, we will see that Saturday afternoon.

Ole Miss’s Offense

Speaking of their offense, it is led by senior quarterback Bo Wallace. Wallace has made mistakes this season, throwing six interceptions, but he also has the leadership and experience it takes to pull off an upset victory. He is completing 71 percent of his passes in 2014, and he has one of the nation’s best receivers in Laquon Treadwell.

Treadwell will offer the Bama secondary its toughest challenge of the season this weekend and is a player to watch.

Bo Wallace has the experience and leadership that it takes to pull off an upset victory.

The Rebels don’t get a ton of production from their running game, but the two backs they have featured have been fairly consistent. Jaylen Walton is averaging 6.9 yards per carry and I’Tavius Mathers is averaging 4.9 yards per carry.

The running game will be the x-factor in this game. Ole Miss will have to get that balance going offensively, because Alabama’s defense will likely blitz often on situational passing downs. Getting into third-and-longs could be deadly for the Rebels and cause Wallace into mistakes, so the running game is the key.

Ole Miss’s Defense

We haven’t even talked about Ole Miss’s defense this season, which ranks third in the nation in points allowed per game. The Rebels are only giving up an average of 8.5 points per game this season, only giving up a combined 19 points to Boise State, Vanderbilt, and Memphis. I know, Vanderbilt is terrible offensively, but Memphis hung 35 points on UCLA.

Nkemdiche is one of the most talented defensive lineman in the country.

This unit has some of the best playmakers in the country, including safety Cody Prewitt and defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche. Tony Conner is also an exciting young player that can make plays.

Conclusion

This team has been on the rise the last couple of seasons but has failed to reach that next step. I think this year is that year for Ole Miss to finally compete for the division title, despite a brutal schedule.

Like I said, getting the running game going will be the factor to watch in this game. At home, I think the Rebels can find enough consistency on the ground to open up things through the air for Wallace.

Alabama will get its points just because of the consistency this season with Lane Kiffin as offensive coordinator. I expect the Rebels to be able to keep up offensively, and the Ole Miss defense will make enough big plays to lead them to victory.

Prediction: Ole Miss 31, Alabama 27